When the average person is asked what they know about country music, the reply might be something vague. Johnny Cash, singing about somebody’s dog dying and yodeling might be in there. Ask the same person about blues music, and the answer might be just as inadequate. Sad songs about life on the bayou and big guitar solos. Chances are you won’t hear a word about a tall, red-headed musician from the swamps in the deep north of Australia, who sings about Australia … for now, at least.

The long, flaming red hair of 8 Ball Aitken has been making its presence known in Australia and overseas in blues and country circles. The former fruit picker from Far North Queensland has been plying his trade with a work ethic that would put most blue-collar toilers to shame.

Having stepped off the plane from a Japanese tour where he headlined The Rokko Sun Music Festival, 8 Ball was back playing a show the very next day. “The Japanese tour was our fourth tour there; we have gone back every Japanese summer and things just keep getting bigger and better,” he says. “The Japanese fans are really polite and friendly. They’re really conservative, but there’s a critical point where they just go wild!”

8 Ball’s attitude is paying off, not just in Japan, but in Australia as well as overseas. His single Cyclone Country just broke into the European Country Music Top 40 Chart, as well as sitting in the middle of the Australian top 40. Yellow Moon, his second single off new album Rebel With A Cause, is a Q Song grand finalist for blues and roots song of the year. What does he put his recent success down to?

“I’ve taken the work ethic I got from picking bananas and brought it over to my music,” 8 Ball answers.

Rebel With A Cause is his third album, and will be launched at The Globe Theatre in Brisbane. “The album launch at The Globe is going to be a special gig,” says 8 Ball. “We’ve got good friends in The Long Green Beans, Jackie Marshall and The Reversals dropping in to play with us. The Globe is a nice environment for music. It’s velvety, has great lighting and it’s an essential place for music.”

What are essential are 8 Ball’s lyrical topics, which deal predominantly with Australian places and themes. In a national music industry that still has their eyes fixed on overseas trends and styles, 8 Ball is gazing inward towards his great southern land.

“I write about topics that are relevant to me as an Australian and it seems to be what’s most appealing in the international markets,” explains 8 Ball.

“Australia has a vibrant musical history, especially in blues and roots and country.

“I love hearing country music that’s talking about Brisbane or punk music talking about Toowoomba, because they’re making new Aussie culture.”

8 Ball Aitken just might be the man who can break down the stereotypes and carve a unique national niche for Australian blues and country artists to follow.

8 BALL AITKEN plays at The Globe Theatre on August 8 to launch his new album REBEL WITH A CAUSE. For more info, visit www.myspace.com/8ballaitken

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