Self-Made Man

Released in 2003, Carus Thompson's first live album Acoustic At The Norfolk became a surprise success for the Fremantle-raised musician. An intimate and welcoming performance at an intimate and welcoming venue, the recording brought him to the attention of fans the world over, sparking an almost ten-year run of constant touring and releases. Although he's put out a string of studio albums since then, it's his 25-song, double-disc live album that remains the watermark of his career. The recording captured a particularly magical night for both audience and artist, something Thompson hoped to achieve again on its follow-up. Nine years in the making, Volume II showcases the singer-songwriter at his peak, delivering a typically honest and passionate set to an energetic crowd.

“The first one was just sort of a fluke really,” laughs Thompson. “I do well over 200 gigs a year, and once you've toured a lot and you play a lot you really pride yourself on being a good performer and being able to deliver it in whatever situation – after driving for ten hours or flying in from wherever. You take pride in it, like if someone's a carpenter they take pride in building a house under pressure. A live recording just ramps all that pressure up, so there is this intensity and pressure but you feel good about that. It gees you up and you get fired up and when it all comes together and it works it's just like, 'Great! I pulled it off!'”

Thompson has become renowned for his work ethic. From humble beginnings the artist has managed to forge a successful career both in Australia and overseas. Regular tours of Europe have seen him receive airplay and a strong following in Germany in particular, an especially satisfying outcome after initially starting his European quest busking on the streets. With little-to-no radio play in Australia, Thompson has created his success entirely on his own, building new fanbases in every new city he visits. Having toured with everyone from close friend John Butler, to The Waifs and Jack Johnson, Thompson has spent over a decade learning and honing his craft.

“I think you learn from every performance that you watch,” suggests Thompson. “I mean, The Waifs are still that band that when they hit it, and it's on, it's something very special and unique. It's the sum of a bunch of things. You can sit and try and work out what it is, but you can't. Those three people come together, the band comes together and each song comes together – there's just a certain combination of stuff which is something that I've always tried to find in my music. It's not completely a question of the live performance, you can't define it – it's a bit of this and a bit of that. And with Jack Johnson I think the thing I learnt from him was just to never be pretentious. I mean, it's quite bizarre to meet someone who is exactly what you see is what you get, you know? You're just like, 'This guy can't be this mellow', but he is! 'He can't be this nice'. He is! It's ridiculous!”

Thompson still loves the touring lifestyle, even now managing to combine constant gigging with his new roles – devoted father and husband. “The thing about touring is you roll into a town and you're there to do a show, you're there to make music, and it's an old troubadour tradition if you like. People are always pleased to see you, so you always get to see the best of people and the best of the town, 'cause you're there to make a party and make a night and make an event. So it's a wonderful way to travel. And it's just something that I've always done.”