The director Henri Safran took a more tranquil approach in his 1976 adaptation of the children’s book Storm Boy, tying beautiful coastal wilderness to the life and evolution of the titular character. The narrator of the 80s classic Puberty Blues explains that “if you weren’t a surfer girl, you were a nobody”, the director Bruce Beresford using the location to explore societal hierarchy. In the turbulent years of childhood and adolescence, a good old-fashioned beach can either intensify or calm the rocky experience of growing up. Photograph: film still handout Puberty Blues (1981) and Storm Boy (1976) 'You know, my Grandfather came from Holland and met my Grandmother near there in a little town so it’s always special to go back there and play… It’s always nice to go home.Tranquil approach to the beach: Greg Rowe and Mr Percival in Storm Boy.

“My mum is from Geelong and I’ve got history there that goes back years and years. Xavier’s ‘Storm Boy’ Australian tour will span ten dates throughout August and culminates in a show at Geelong’s Costa Hall not far from where the artist grew up, something he says is always memorable. I know that I can’t, so there’s certain songs that are really special to me: ‘Best That I Can’, ‘Storm Boy' the title track, ‘Feet On The Ground’, ‘Keep It Simple’… I can already tell they’re songs the crowd is gonna love and they’re gonna be good moments.” The singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist is keen to share his new work with the world, but says he understands people want to hear the classics as well. That’s how I honed my craft, to see what people were into, and still today it’s been about the live journey, the live experience.”

“In the old days, I would play new music at the shows and gauge reaction from people. I would just record when I had a space in the schedule to just sort of thump down some new music. “I’ve been a live artist it’s what I started out doing, recording was always secondary really for me. Still, when you boil it down, the stage is where he wants to be. “I feel like this album, you can see that experience come through in this record and I’m really proud of it.” That said, he says over the years he has learned the importance, and the joy, of the studio.įor him, ‘Storm Boy’ is a culmination of that journey. Where Xavier is most at home with his music is performing to people.

I’ll have an idea in my head and sort of develop it as I'm running and I’ll sort of run in the rhythm of what it is surfing and just doing stuff, I’m constantly inspired by my family and the things that mean a lot to me in the world.” Usually I’m outdoors, I’m pretty ADD so I’m always wanting to be outside doing stuff. “Spiritually I’ve learnt some things you know, things have shifted as they do all the time.”Īs it always has been for Xavier, inspiration is everywhere especially in the natural world. “I got married two years ago, so I met someone who was a beautiful new part of my life,” beams Xavier. The roots, folk artist’s ninth studio album, ‘Storm Boy’, (released 25 May) is based on his life since his highly acclaimed 2012 offering, ‘Spirit Bird’. Where Xavier's life differs from most is his ability to express his journey. Xavier Rudd’s life is like many others – it goes through changes and progresses as he learns life lessons.

Storm boy song