Blues & Roots is quite possibly one of the biggest festivals that heralds the end of the festival season, and as the old adage goes they save the best for last. Ray White, rhythm guitarist from the Frank Zappa tribute band Zappa Plays Zappa, took some time to chat with OUTinPerth about his upcoming visit to Australia.
What are you looking forward to most about playing at Blues & Roots?
When I was there last year I discovered a feeling we’d lost in America for a long time. It was just fun and open and there was no problem with people suspending their disbelief and ready to have a good time. It’s not a contrived thing, it’s so natural. I was just blown away. I’m really looking forward to coming back down there. My wife might never see me again if I get down there. You’re gonna be stuck with me.
Do you have an all time best festival story?
Not really. I’m like the old guy who starts over again – it’s all new to me.
When did you first start playing with Frank Zappa?
It was 1976 and I had never played in a band and I had never heard of Frank Zappa and I got the audition and then I got the gig and I’d tell people who I was playing for and they’d fall over. Frank was a wonderful man and good mentor.
What were the festivals like back then?
They were still in their infancy. I think it’s a lot better now because it’s more organised but the fun is still there. Now they are at the point where you can expect to go to a place, sit down and enjoy yourself and have masses amount of people and talent in the same place and everyone at the end of the day walks away with a smile in their heart. Not on their faces, but inside because you feel as though you’ve participated in something really wonderful.
Do you have any festival horror stories?
I’ve got five grandchildren under five. Festivals have got nothing that they can throw at me.
What are three things everyone should bring to a festival?A willingness to let go, a willingness to surrender yourself and a willingness to share, because without any of those three you are going to miss a golden opportunity to be part of the whole creation.
What was the most profound thing Frank ever taught you as a musician?
There’s a thing he used to call a ‘strong wrong’. You may not have gotten a part in rehearsals so you tend not to play it loud. He disagreed. He said you should play it loud – that a strong wrong was better than approaching it from some wimpy little point of view. That way, if it’s wrong, you know it’s wrong.
Blues & Roots takes place on Saturday April 18 at the Esplanade Reserve in Fremantle. Visit www.sunsetevents.com.au for more information.
Scott-Patrick Mitchell
