Tag: Bobby Alu

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Bobby Alu Serves Up Classic Reggae with “Ready For Your Love”

Bobby Alu is spreading summer vibes with his cool new single “Ready For Your Love.” This is classic “lovers rock” reggae, the kind of music that luminaries like Dennis Brown, Gregory Isaacs, and Horace Andy used to make in the late 70s. If you’re a fan of the genre or you just want to feel good, make sure you turn this one up.

“The band and I love reggae from the 70’s and 80’s,” Bobby said. “This song was never planned. We were at the studio working on some other tracks. After dinner we weren’t quite ready to finish. I showed them a chorus idea and we all jumped in bouncing ideas off one another. I had recently had a conversation with a stranger about how they were looking for love desperately and this exchange inspired the lyrics. Hours went by and we left that night with a new track in the bag. Spontaneous creative moments like this are some of my absolute favourite times in the studio. Time goes and you find your flow.”

Bobby will make the most of the summer sunshine with plenty of shows this month. But that’s not all; a tour with online personality Breakfast Shirts, which will see Bobby playing morning shows in regional cafes, is also in the works. If you know the perfect place for one of those shows, make sure you share on Bobby’s Instagram page. For now, here are all the places you can see him play:

8 February 2024 – Golden Vine Hotel, Dja Dja Wurrung and Taungurung Country/Bendigo (supporting Ash Grunwald)
9 February 2024 – The Yarraville Club, Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung and Bunurong Country/Yarraville (supporting Ash Grunwald)
11 February 2024 – The Memo, Wurundjeri Country/Healesville (supporting Ash Grunwald)
17 February 2024 – URBNSURF, Naarm/Melbourne (supporting The Beautiful Girls)
18 February 2024 – SoFar Presents, Wadawurrung and Gadubanud Country/Anglesea
22 February 2024 – Maleny Community Centre, Nalbo and Dallambara Country/Maleny (featuring Foloi Iulia)
22 February 2024 – Majestic Theatre, Kabi Kabi Country/Pomona (featuring Foloi Iulia)
24 February 2024 – Coolum Civic Centre, Inabara Country/Coolum (featuring Foloi Iulia)
25 February 2024 – Eudlo Hall, Kabi Kabi Country/Eudlo (featuring Foloi Iulia)
27 February 2024 – City Hall, Meeanjin/Brisbane (Free lunchtime show featuring Foloi Iulia)

Image used with permission from GYRO PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Bobby Alu Puts Call Out for Ukulele Players

Winter might be coming, but Bobby Alu doesn’t care. He loves making summery tunes all year round, like his latest single “Finally.” He’s even celebrating this reggae-tinged track with a tour in the middle of winter. Well why the hell not?

If you can play ukulele, Bobby would love to have you as a special guest on his upcoming shows. He’s put the call out to ukulele soloists of any age of ability to open up these gigs.

“We want to share the stage with ukulele players around Australia. You don’t have to be an expert, you just have to feel the flow,” he said. If you can feel it, post a video of yourself playing your uke on Instagram and Facebook and tag @bobby_alu, your city, and #FinallyTour. You’ve got until the 18th of May to get your application in, so hop to it!

Even if you can’t play the ukulele, you can enjoy these shows. Check out Bobby on his Finally tour this June!

7-8 June 2019 – Palm Creek Folk Festival, Mount Surround
9 June 2019 – The Loft, Brisbane (Matinee – ALL AGES)
14 June 2019 – Wesley Anne, Melbourne
15 June 2019 – Grace Emily, Adelaide
16 June 2019 – Mojos Bar, Fremantle
28 June 2019 – Venue 505, Sydney
30 June 2019 – Festival of Voices, Apslawn

Image used with permission from GYRO PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Bobby Alu on Tour for Summery Single “Move”

Aussie chillster Bobby Alu is giving me serious weekend vibes with his new single “Move.” The cruisy drum rhythms, tropical ukulele, and Bobby’s soulful voice give the song such a relaxed, summery feel.

It’s beautifully paired with a colourful clip created by Johnny Moubarak of Moubment. Bobby said “This was a fun clip to make! I feel like there are many parts that make up my personality, so I tried to go there in this clip. Putting on whatever hat is necessary is a big part of how I make music; I can be a drummer, bass player, guitarist, uke guy, singer or roadie – whatever the team needs. Sometimes I pick the wrong guy … but they all have their place.”

Bobby has spent the better part of the year behind Xavier Rudd’s drum kit, but he’s stepping back into the spotlight and chasing that endless summer on his current European tour. Here are all the remaining dates.

3 August 2018 – Degginger, Regensburg (supporting The Beautiful Girls)
4 August 2018 – Sound of the Forest Festival, Beerfelden
8 August 2018 – O2 Islington Academy, London (supporting The Beautiful Girls)
10 August 2018 – Boardmasters, Cornwall
11 August 2018 – Zandstock Festival, t’Zand
12 August 2018 – Rock Les Bains Plombieres, Les Bains
14 August 2018 – Chill Hill, Graz (supporting The Beautiful Girls)
15 August 2018 – Privatclub. Berlin (supporting The Beautiful Girls)
16 August 2018 – Prinzenbar, Hamburg
17 August 2018 – Enter the Wave Festival, Le Pin Sec Noord

Image used with permission from Mucho Bravado

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Bay Sessions” – Bobby Alu

Bay Sessions by Bobby AluThe long weekend’s not here yet, but I’m already getting into that cruisy frame of mind thanks to Bobby Alu’s latest EP, Bay Sessions. I’m really glad that this is my first album review for the year, because this summery release is the ideal soundtrack for this time of year.

It begins with the laidback groove of “My Style,” which is something I imagine that Bob Marley might have laid down if he ever visited Motown. The tempo picks up a little in “Step.” Bobby’s as chilled as ever, but it’ll get your toes tapping.

The instrumental “Mana” references the positive spiritual force its title embodies. There’s no English translation for this term from the Pacific Islands, but if you listen to the track you’ll probably come close to understanding it. Incidentally, this song is the perfect kitchen soundtrack. It sounds weird, but I was grating carrot and zucchini for dinner last night and it was like I was at one with the music. Try it.

Bobby’s back on vocal duties for “The Day,” a gentle number about living in the moment. His ukulele is the only accompaniment for this beautifully intimate song. I struggle to pick a favourite on a recording that’s so solid, but “Something” might be it. It just feels so good: soulful and smooth and sassy.

The EP closes with “Tagi,” a Samoan chant Bobby remembers from his childhood. It’s a powerful number that sounds even more impressive when you realise Bobby doesn’t have any back-up musicians as the Samoan elders would have. It’s just him on his DIY island-style drum kit. Too cool.

I’m so passionate about this recording, so I’m thrilled that you can all hear it. Bobby is offering it for free download throughout the duration of the Bay Sessions tour. The full release will then be available for purchase at the tour’s conclusion. In keeping with Bobby’s generous spirit, the tour also features plenty of free shows too.

5 February 2015 – Prince of Wales, Bunbury (FREE)
6 February 2015 – Settlers Tavern, Margaret River (FREE)
7 February 2015 – The Odd Fellow, Fremantle
8 February 2015 – Clancy’s Fish Pub, Dunsborough (FREE)
13 February 2015 – Landsdowne Hotel, Chippendale
15 February 2015 – Moonshine Bar, Manly (FREE)
20 February 2015 – Motor Room, Brisbane (FREE)
22 February 2015 – Hotel Brunswick, Brunswick Heads (FREE)
1 March 2015 – Hoey Moey, Coffs Harbour (FREE)
4 March 2015 – Queen Victoria Market, Melbourne (FREE)
5 March 2015 – Shebeen, Melbourne
7 March 2015 – Sol Bar, Maroochydore
8 March 2015 –  Bleach Festival, Coolangatta (FREE)

Image used with permission from Heapsaflash

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Bobby Alu Shares Wise New Single

Bobby Alu is bringing good vibes to your Sunday with his brand new single “You Know.”

This laidback slice of rootsy soul-pop is the first track to come from Bobby’s highly anticipated sophomore album, Take It Slow. Given the leisurely pace of this number, that might be a pretty apt title.

Bobby wrote the tune while reconnecting with his heritage in sunny Samoa. It sounds very mellow, but it also has a pretty important message about accepting the truth, no matter how much it hurts.

If you love what you hear, make sure you get out and see Bobby when he launches “You Know” at the following shows.

17 March 2013 – Clancy’s Fish Pub, Dunsborough (4 pm – FREE)
5 April 2013 – Nayri Niara Festival, Bruny Island
14 April 2013 – Brunswick Hotel, Brunswick Heads (FREE)
19 April 2013 -The Joynt, West End
20 April 2013 – Big Pineapple Festival, Woombye
26-28 April 2013 – Apollo Bay Music Festival, Apollo Bay
4 May 2013 – Mandala Arts Café, Mermaid Waters

Image used with permission from Heapsaflash

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Bobby Alu Plays Sunday Summer Shows

After four months touring North America, Bobby Alu is back on home soil. He’s celebrating his returned with some chilled out weekend performances dubbed the Feelin’ Fine: The Sunday Arvo Sessions.

Bobby’s relaxed brand of reggae music sounds like the perfect soundtrack for a lazy summer weekend. The shows are a bit of a warm-up for the full-scale national tour Bobby promises we’ll see next year. Most are free, and the Brisbane show only costs a fiver, so there’s really no excuse for missing them!


18 December 2011 – The Joynt, Brisbane
1 January 2011 – Peregian Originals, Peregian Beach
8 January 2011 – Buddah Bar, Byron Bay

Image used with permission from Heapsaflash

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Bobby Alu Tours New Single, “Take It or Leave It”

Bobby Alu is stepping out from behind the drum kit for the release of his new single “Take It Or Leave It.” The track comes from Bobby’s debut album, which was released last year.

This is such a simple reggae number, stripped back and relaxed. That’s part of its beauty though. In a world with so much overproduced, overlayered music this tune really stands out. It also has me craving summer despite my love of chilly weather, which is some achievement.

Bobby has spent the past six years earning a reputation as one of our finest roots percussionist. He’s a member of the bands OKA and Kooii, and also a regular performer with Watussi, Mal Webb, Nicky Bomba, and a host of other local musicians.

Bobby will promote the new single with shows along the east coast, including performances at Byron Bay Bluesfest.

Here are the places you can catch him!

16 April 2011 – High Tide on the Harbour, Noosa
17 April 2011 – Beach Hotel, Byron Bay
21 April 2011 – The Esplanade Hotel, Melbourne
24 & 25 April 2011 – Byron Bay Bluesfest, Byron Bay
29 April 2011 – Soundlounge, Currumbin
30 April 2011 – Hi Fi Bar, Brisbane

Image used with permission from Heapsaflash