Kasey Chambers’ musical journey goes full-circle

It’s been 20 years since Kasey Chambers’ debut album The Captain. Some of these songs remain her favourites and she can’t wait to play them at this year’s Woodford Folk Festival.

Country singer Kasey Chambers. Picture: Toby Zerna

It’s been 20 years since Kasey Chambers’ debut album The Captain. Some of these songs remain her favourites and she can’t wait to play them at this year’s Woodford Folk Festival

Q. This will be the first time performing at Woodford Folk Festival … are you excited?

A. Obviously I’ve heard about this festival for many years and, more than any other festival, I’ve had so many people tell me I would love it. Everything I’ve heard about it is everything I love about music, creativity and bringing people together for all the right reasons. I think I’m going to fit right in!

Q. What can the audience expect?

A. I will be taking the audience on a journey through my life with songs and stories that have made me the person that I am. I’ll be mostly playing songs from The Captain of course.

Kasey Chambers will be performing at Woodford Folk Festival.

Q. When you recorded The Captain, did you dare to imagine you’d be celebrating its anniversary with a tour 20 years later?

A. I had no idea about what would lie ahead. I couldn’t possibly imagine The Captain would take me on the journey that it has. I owe more to this album than any other in my life, and I am so grateful I’m able to celebrate it 20 years later in such a special way.

Q. What do those songs mean to you now?

A. I can still get lost in all those songs, like I wrote them just yesterday. I never get sick of them. The Captain has always been my favourite song to play, since I first wrote it. Now, in a lot of ways I think it means even more because we’ve been through so much together.

Q. How has your music evolved?

A. I’d like to think I’ve evolved into a better songwriter of course and just gotten better at my craft, but to be honest doing this anniversary tour and revisiting this first album has made me realise I’ve basically taught myself to come all the way back to approach and make albums in the same way I did when I made The Captain.

Q. What have you learned along the way?

A. The main thing I’ve learnt from my career is there is no easier sell than authenticity. A lot of people spend a lot of their lives trying to be like someone else, but what makes you connect with other people, with your surroundings, with your hopes and dreams is just being true to yourself.

Q. Most memorable moment on stage?

A. Standing on stage at the ARIA awards many years ago (I think it was my first ever performance on the ARIAs) and singing I Still Pray, with Paul Kelly standing next to me singing in one ear and my dad singing into the other. It doesn’t get much better than that.

Kasey Chambers with her children Arlo, Talon and Poet. Picture: DAN HIMBRECHTS

Q. Family’s at the core of what you do … how are they involved these days?

A. They are all still involved. They have been a massive part of my whole career. My brother has managed me for many years and is still very involved even though he lives in Nashville now, my dad still plays guitar in my band and on all my records, and my mum runs my merchandise. My kids (Talon, 17, Arlo, 12 and Poet, 8) even get up on stage with me and jam with us too.

Q. What are you hoping to draw from the Woodford Folk Festival experience?

A. I can’t wait to spend some time at the festival, being an audience member too. I love being a part of festivals and seeing all the other artists play. I’m counting down.

Kasey Chambers will perform one show only on December 28 at 8pm in the amphitheatre

WOODFORD FOLK FESTIVAL

What: Six-day festival of music, performances, talks, workshops, experiences

When: December 27-January 1

Where: Woodfordia, 87 Woodrow Rd

Tickets: woodfordfolkfestival.com/tickets