‘Without surfing and without adventure there isn’t that raw, rugged nature and physicality which is so part and parcel to my inspiration. Without surfing and adventure, it is just empty words because a lot of people identify my music and poetry with a sense of adventure,’ said Ziggy Alberts.
The Australian singer songwriter has just released a poetry book titled “Sun Memos” which is a self-reflective piece of work as Ziggy looks inwards and gives readers an insight into the person behind the music. He is currently touring Australia on a book signing tour while promoting his latest single “New Love”.
In between his hectic schedule, the Sunshine Coast born singer makes sure he fits in time to chase swells as he is as just as comfortable laying a board on rail as he is on stage.
‘I surf for my sanity, it keeps me accountable to pursuing what keeps me free and it works great because I always end up working on so much music and poetry while on surf trips. Surfing, music and poetry are my trifecta, they all intertwine. Poetry is my yin and a time for reflection, while surfing, music and touring are my yang as they are full of energy and all about managing my adrenaline.
‘I’ve made a real point of surfing a lot over the last couple of months. I went from Simeulue to back home, to Fiji and then to Bali to play a show where I surfed as well. I surfed long before the music and I still want to keep pushing myself in surfing. I have a goal to be the best water person I can be, I want to be able to jump on whatever craft makes the ocean most accessible at that time and have fun with it.’
Sun Memos is the second poetry book Ziggy has published. It follows on from his original release called Brain Waves. While Ziggy admits the poetry and music complement each other well, he makes a clear distinction between the two.
‘Music is very much an outward expression, while poetry is an inward thing. Poetry is something that is instantaneous and I will get it down straight away, it can be slightly more raw. Whereas music has this added dimension and complexity where the lyrics need to fit with the melodies and so it can take slightly longer.
‘I’ve started incorporating poems into the show and using them as interludes. It’s given my performances an added dimension and it’s great because as an artist you’re always looking for ways to evolve.’
You can catch Ziggy at the following Sun Memos book tour signing dates:
29 May – Dymocks Glenelg, Adelaide
30 May – Readings Emporium, Melbourne
31 May – Harry Hartog Sunshine Plaza, Sunshine Coast
1 June – Dymocks Queen Street Mall (centre stage), Brisbane
