Clare Bowditch is currently on the road for the ‘Winter Secrets’ tour, playing stripped-back solo shows around the country. This is the first time the beguiling songstress has toured extensively without The Feeding Set, and she’s confident it’ll be worth the risk. At each stop, Clare has encouraged local musicians – professional or amateur – to join her on stage. That’s just the kind of performer she is. FasterLouder spoke to her in the lead-up to the tour.

Why solo on this tour?
I did an experimental solo tour with Art Of Fighting in 2006 through Europe and had a great time. I’m going back over for six months to do some solo touring later this year. So the solo thing is really for a whole lot of reasons. I wanted to keep it fairly simple and a point of difference from the other shows we’ve done over the years. Marty’s doing a lot of production, and Tim’s band Hot Little Hands are about to make an album, Libby’s doing a film…so I kinda wanted to give them a break!

I imagine doing this one alone is a bit of a personal challenge?
Absolutely! I mean, I’ve got loop pedals and electric guitars as well the acoustic, so it really is something that’s going to be pretty new. I just don’t know how it’s going to go each night. One of the exciting things about the tour is the Winter Secrets competition, where I’m inviting people to perform with me each night. That for me makes the live experience feel very much alive. Just a random stranger who can play an instrument. It can be a comb or a gazoo, they could sing – all they need to do is apply the website. I’ve enjoyed very much over the years getting up and playing with people I like, so I wanted to extend that invitation to other people who might not get the chance that often, but are good!

I guess that introduces another challenging aspect, the unknown element?*
Yeah, I’m really enjoying working towards a nervous breakdown by the end of it! I like keeping things challenging.

How do songs change when it’s just you performing them, without the Feeding Set behind you?
I don’t know. I’ve been told it’s a rawer show. I think probably I’m much more exposed as a performer, and I think that’s generally a positive thing. The success of the show depends on the willingness of the audience to go there with me. So I guess I’ll be asking for people’s trust who are coming to that show. I don’t like wasting people’s time, or money, so I’m going to try my very best…

There’s openness and an intimacy about your albums. It must be interesting to translate that to the live show…
You want to know if I’m going to cry, don’t you [laughs]? There’s a good chance. The highs, the lows.

You don’t seem to have creative lulls; you’re always creating something. Is there more writing happening now for a new album?
There is. I think of songwriting as almost a mental affliction. It’s not like a choice – more a desperate urge. It helps me to articulate stories and things I don’t understand. That’s probably why it appears like I don’t have creative lulls because it’s just part of everyday life for me. I’m writing now, and will be writing more when we get to Berlin in September. I will be trying some new songs on this tour too…

The sense you get from your albums is that you’re as much a storyteller as a songwriter. Do you think these solo shows will reflect that?
Yeah, there’s probably even more of that in the live shows. I’m not someone who knows what’s going to come out of my mouth each night, so it really comes down to the response I get from the audience. As you can hear, you can’t shut me up once I get going! So there’ll be stories. I often say far too much. I often say more than I want to, but this is what happens when you trust an audience.

There’s a fine line I suppose between very personal songwriting and making music that’s relatable, and it’s something I think your songs manage well…
Well, thank you very much.

…Is it something your conscious of in the writing process?
Yeah, it really is. I want to be someone who gives of my real self. I’m not someone who’s particularly interested in being celebrated for how different I am from the rest of the human race. I’m very much a ‘person person’, and a storyteller by nature. I often have to spend quite a bit of time with songs to make sure I’m telling the song succinctly enough. It’s hard to pick apart, but I don’t like whingey songs that don’t go anywhere. But I do understand talking about the more difficult parts of life is very important for a creative person to do.

Well, there’s also the side of your albums that’s very playful and witty…
Yeah, I think my next album will just be a disco album with no meaning at all. Just a beat!

Are the guests at each ‘Winter Secrets’ show going to be a bit of an unplanned, spontaneous thing?
Yes, very much so! We’ll see who we meet along the way. One person I’ll definitely have with me is Tim Harvey from Hot Little Hands, who are the new buzz band here in Melbourne, and of course Tim’s my guitarist. It’s pretty exciting to have him along.

Don’t miss the ‘Winter Secrets’ tour when it visits your neighbourhood.

June

20 Sat – Jive Bar, Adelaide
Tickets from Moshtix on 1300 GET TIX (438 849) & www.moshtix.com.au

21 Sat – Karova Lounge, Ballarat
Tickets from Karova on (03) 5332 9122 & http://karovalounge.oztix.com.au

21 Sat – Theatre Royal, Castlemaine
Tickets from venue (03) 5472 1196 & www.theatreroyal.info

26 Thurs – Heritage Hotel, Bulli
Tickets from venue on (02) 4284 5884

27 Fri – The Basement, Sydney
Tickets from Moshtix on 1300 GET TIX (438 849) & www.moshtix.com.au

28 Sat – The Basement, Sydney (2nd show)
Tickets from Moshtix on 1300 GET TIX (438 849) & www.moshtix.com.au

July

3 Thurs – A+I Hall, Bangalow
Tickets from All Music and Vision: Ballina (02) 6686 8111, Lismore (02) 6622 5399, (02) Byron Bay 6685 7611

4 Fri – Sound Lounge, Currumbin
Tickets (07) 55 347 999 & www.thesoundlounge.com.au

5 Sat – The Zoo, Brisbane
Tickets 1300 762 545 & http://zoo.oztix.com.au/

Sat 12 & Sun 13 – Corner Hotel, Melbourne
Tickets from Corner box office on (03) 94279198 & www.cornerhotel.com

Thur 17 – Ruby’s Lounge, Belgrave
Tickets from Moshtix on 1300 GET TIX (438 849) & www.moshtix.com.au

Fri 18 – Republic Bar, Hobart
Tickets from Moshtix on 1300 GET TIX (438 849) & www.moshtix.com.au

Thur 24 – Albany Town Hall, Albany
Tickets available from Albany Town Hall on (08) 9841 1661 & http://www.albanytownhall.com.au

Fri 25- Bakery Artrage, Perth
Tickets from venue on (08) 9227 6288 & www.bocsticketing.com.au, www.moshtix.com.au & www.78records.com.au

Sat 26- Fly By Night, Fremantle
Tickets from venue on (08) 9490 5976 & www.bocsticketing.com.au, www.moshtix.com.au & www.78records.com.au

August

Fri 1 – Tank Arts Centre, Cairns
Tickets from TicketLink on.(07) 40319555 & www.ticketlink.com.au