An Interview with The Australia Native Singer-Songwriter, Dustin Tebbutt, On Why He Moved to Sweden to Write Music And More

Dustin Tebbutt is originally from Australia but for two years, he relocated to Sweden to write and record music.

The result was this tenderly sculpted music about that move to the other side of the world. It was about the things he left or lost along the way, and the person that came back. It’s an incredible insight into a man confronted by isolation and distance, yet intoxicated by the beauty of life in Sweden. He wrote, produced and mixed the project as well as playing the majority of the parts.

With glowing reviews and a quickly growing fan base, Dustin’s music is boldly gaining momentum. Learn about this talented musician in the following interview:

Can you remember the moment that you wanted to be a musician? What exactly is your musical background?

I don’t really remember ever having that kind of moment, I think it was something that just seeped in, and became a part of me. There was always instruments around, and I’d had a few piano lessons when I was younger, but it wasn’t until I started playing around on the guitar in high school that it clicked. I taught myself to play with a bit of help from my dad, and it kind of went from there.

Tell me about your experience in Sweden writing and recording music? What initially made your make that move overseas?

Well, I hadn’t been out of Aus at that stage, and really liked the idea of living abroad, so moving somewhere had been on the cards for a while. Sweden specifically came about as one of the guys I was working with down in Melbourne was from there. We’d been playing in a band for a while and he had to move back as his visa was up and he suggested heading over too!

2013 was a big year for you musically as you released your debut, The Breach. How has 2014 been treating you so far?

It’s been crazy, and amazing at the same time. I wasn’t really anticipating anything that has happened, so its been a pretty wild ride.

What was it like putting that album together independently? What was that freedom like?

Creatively, it was incredible. It really was an exploration as I worked through those songs, and it was so rewarding to see all the pieces come together. I didn’t really have an agenda, or an image of where it was going to end up or anything.. it just kind of formed. At the start, there were so many skills I didn’t have and that I ended up learning along the way, so that was a bit of a challenge at times, but I really enjoy that process.

How is The Breach different and/or similar to your latest EP, Bones?

I think they’re pretty similar actually, the songs come from the same place and time, they were just worked on at different times. I was trying to keep the sonic palette pretty similar too, as I was still finding me feet

How have your summer gigs/festivals been going? Any favorites yet?

The shows have been going really well, its a bit of a task taking this stuff to the stage, as there are some many intricate sounds etc, but the support has been amazing. Splendour was definitely a highlight this year.

What musicians that you’ve already worked with or headlined shows with, have you learned the most from?

There’s a guy called Josh Schuberth. He a producer and multi instrumentalist, who played most of the drums on the stuff so far… he’s been a bit of a mentor over this last chapter. We were hanging out years ago, and he was recording an E.P. of his own stuff at home, I think seeing him putting it together, made me want to do the same thing! Whenever I get stuck on something, Ill give him a call.

What music are you listening to now? Anything on the radio that you can’t get out of your head right now? What music inspires you?

My track of the week is “Lost In The Light” by Bahamas

Living or dead, who is a musician that you would love to work with and why?

Thom Yorke would be cool to work with, he’s just on a whole other level.

Thus far, what’s a favorite memory or something quirky that’s taken place with the band (in-studio, onstage, or elsewhere)?

A lot of the tracking for some new songs I’ve been working on has been amazing, since being back in the city I’ve met a bunch of musicians that just aren’t around in the country (where I was living previously), We put some harp on one track, and a bunch of strings on another, It was amazing seeing/hearing those parts come to life. I did a trip over to the U.K. and U.S. earlier this year and played a bunch of shows, it was my first time to both places, it was an amazing trip.. playing to a packed room in N.Y. was something I’ll never forget.

When you aren’t performing or writing new material, what do you like to do for fun?

I’ve been reading a fair few books lately, mostly exploration or new science stuff.. swimming is good, or anything outside really..

Is there anything in particular that you’d like people to take away from listening to your music?

Hopefully some images, or some kind of mental show reel as they’re listening. If it’s possible, Id like to transport them somewhere else, just for a little while.