By JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
Dean Ray was born a travelling man, often falling asleep in a guitar case as a child while mum and dad performed in their band, Ichy Feet.
The aptly named outfit resonates with the Queensland singer-songwriter to this day.
“I just need to travel,” Ray agreed.
“My folks travelled so much, they were always moving around. I always get itchy feet.
“One of my favourite times is really early in morning sitting at a roadhouse just watching the overnight trucks pulling in and out.
“I feel very much at home in that environment.”
Being constantly on the move does make for interesting relationships, Ray admitted.
“You can’t really hold a relationship when you’re on the road.”
With more than 70 gigs under his belt already this year, Ray has been touring nationally since January.
But the changes of scenery help fuel the storytelling songs he pens, part of the country influence of his parents.
It’s that down-to-earth quality that has seen Ray’s music sought-after in the unlikeliest of places, including Singapore and more recently Canada and the USA.
Ray went to Asia at the request of radio stations that had picked up and played his songs without any promo – an amazing achievement in this programmed day and age.
Ray heads off to Canada and the USA soon to perform his first shows, again at the request of radio stations after discovering his songs.
“I love performing on stage. I love being in front of people and experiencing the energy of the live performance,“ Ray said.
“There’s nothing like it and that’s what drives me.”
So much so that even when heading into the recording studio he would often gather an impromptu ‘audience’ to help create a “cool live vibe”.
“I try to do a lot of live stuff in the studio. I want some of my tracks to sound like I’m in my living room just playing along.”
Ray’s success this year – he has a number-five on the singles chart and a gold album – was boosted when he was runner-up on the sixth season of the X Factor.
But the alternative rock and blues artist has since proved he has some X factor all his own.
Ray plays Corio’s Gateway Hotel on 19 September. The Independent is giving away two double passes on its Facebook page.
