Mick Harvey says during his years as a musician he has played odd shows in remote places.
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But the natural amphitheater in Echuca won’t be one of them.
“We played a really unusual show at a little church up past Deniliquin,” he said.
“It was a little community west of Wagga that put it together. It was odd but we stopped in Echuca on the way back.”
Harvey will feature at the Riverboats Music Festival in Echuca from February 13-15.
Also on the bill are Sarah Blasko, Dan Sultan, Tex Perkins & the Dark Horses, The Whitlams, Diesel and Adalita.
“I’m not really sure what set I’ll play yet. We will have a rehearsal and probably play half (old stuff) and half (new stuff),” Harvey said.
“I try and focus on the solo material a bit more. It’s different but it’s good fun.”
Harvey, who was born in Rochester, began his musical career with The Boys Next Door (later The Birthday Party) in the 1970s.
In the 1980s when The Birthday Party split, Harvey helped form and played in Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds.
Since then he has worked on his solo work as well as arranging soundtracks for films including Chopper and Australian Rules.
“I haven’t done that much (soundtrack) work, I find it to frustrating but I do it from time to time. I like applying music to film but it’s a bit of a battle,” he said.
“As a musician I’m not used to compromising.”
This year is already filling up with potential projects for Harvey.
“I’m heading to London for two weeks (before Riverboats) and am working with PJ Harvey. I’ve also got some more shows in Europe being put together.”
Harvey’s last solo album, Four (Acts of Love) was released in 2013 and got good feedback.
“It was received really well but it is hard to tell,” he said.
“You don’t get much of an idea from sales anymore so you can’t use that as an indication.
“The impression was we had good feedback about it. I was very happy with the album.
“It closed off that cycle of albums and I had to work out what I would do next.”
Being a veteran in the Australian music industry, Harvey is enjoying not being forced to rush into a new project.
“It kind of has to present itself,” he said.
“I’m not actively pursuing a career where I wonder what I’m doing and what’s next.
“I’m part of a band and have other projects to do. It’s not all down to me to maintain a solo career.
“It’s a case of waiting for something to present itself, which is a nice way of doing it.
“I’m not under pressure, I don’t worry about writing block. Any new song ideas come completely organically.”