Musician brings the good oil

It has been another bumper year of live performances in the the North West, with Broome musician Elwood Gray captivating Pilbara audiences to ring in the new year.

The upcoming songwriter left his roots in the Kimberley in a vegetable oil-fuelled van to embark on a journey that will see him perform all over WA.

The Pilbara leg of his tour began with shows at the Esplanade Hotel in Port Hedland on January 5.

Gray then kicked it up a notch for crowds at the Blanche Bar in Karratha on January 6.

The alternative-country rocker began his musical career young, when he would take a mandolin on camping trips and play by the fireside in the Great Sandy Desert.

The 18-year-old, saltwater-bred musician has supported acts including The Waifs, Tijuana Cartel and Caravana Sun and has shared the stage with John Butler and The Pigram Brothers.

Gray said it was a pleasure to offer Pilbara residents entertainment in a laid-back setting.

“I don’t see why people in the Pilbara will like or dislike live music more than anywhere else, so I don’t see why touring artists ignore these towns,” he said.

Gray said he had a number of aspirations for 2018. “My plan is to keep playing shows up and down WA,” he said. “I want regional towns to be more familiar with my name, so I can attract bigger crowds each time I come through. I’ll also continue writing and recording my songs.”

Gray said if there was any advice he could give to aspiring musicians, it would be to get out there, play, be confident and pursue their passions. “Who cares if you get a few bad notes or miss a couple of chords?” he said. “That’s all part of getting better.”

For more details and tour dates, visit www.elwoodgray.com.au.