Ray LaMontagne on mastering his unique method of performing
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21.03.2019

Ray LaMontagne on mastering his unique method of performing

Words by Anna Rose

A slow, quiet, almost timid voice cuts gently across the line. 

Ray LaMontagne is ready to discuss his upcoming solo acoustic tour, but his soft demeanour is shocking, a far cry from the rollicking folk-rock he produces on stage. “I toured a lot last year – when I got off the road, I switch[ed] gears pretty quickly, just lay low,” he says.

LaMontagne’s responses are interjected by um’s and ah’s – interviews aren’t his thing, and perhaps he’s still in a low gear even now. Last year, LaMontagne played 50 shows in North America in the space of 12 weeks. “It was a lot,” he says, “but some really beautiful shows.”

Despite his extreme workload, the revered musician is looking forward to appearing in Australia again ten years since his last and only tour here. “I don’t look any older, by the way,” he teases. “I’m aging backwards.

“You know, sometimes I feel like the luckiest guy in the world,” says LaMontagne, taking the wheel. “The fan base just keeps growing steadily, they keep coming to the shows, and it seems like the audience get more diverse as the years go by. I feel really blessed, and love to do it, really.”

LaMontagne’s life is a little surreal to him, reflecting on the demand of his rapidly selling Australian tour. After a sharp intake of breath, LaMontagne says, “I feel really blessed… but, um, I don’t know. I guess that’s it.

“I know I’ve worked really hard, I’ve always worked hard to make the records I want to make – but most importantly I believe my career is built on the live show, because really, I’ve done very little else other than the live show to promote myself in any way.” He finishes with a bashful chuckle.

“I don’t like photos – I’ve taken very few of those – I don’t like interviews, I do very few of those. I don’t go to the right parties and I don’t go to any of the places you’re going to be seen with fancy people. I think it’s been one live show after another – and do you know, that’s the right way to do it.” To have a career that lasts, in LaMontagne’s opinion, one show at a time is the only way to do it – he’s proof of that practice.

But is he nervous or uncomfortable doing this interview? “Oh no, oh no,” he says. “Ten years ago I may have been, but not now – oh no, no. I’m not nearly as introverted and shy as people think. I just like my space, my peace, that’s all.

“There’s no anxiety at all, even shows or anything – I think what happens before shows, I don’t know where all the energy is going to come from and so I get into a very interior space and sometimes that can be kind of intense for other people.

“It’s not like a stage fright thing, it’s an intensity that builds up that I have to sustain over tour. I can be intense while I’m touring.”

Though he’s known for his wonderful live shows – often described as “sublime” and “intimate” – LaMontagne can flat out say that energy isn’t drawn from his audience. “I wish it were, but it doesn’t work that way for me. It comes from within myself. I forget the audience is there.

“There are some nights I know things are working and there’s a communication that’s happening, like an energetic circle – they’re giving back everything I’m giving to them and that feeds things – but I would say on the whole, it’s a pretty interior place I’m in.

“I’ve never fed off that energy – like I said, I wish I could, it would probably make my life easier on the road – but that’s not how it is, and I’ve come to terms with that. I know the deal, now.”

Ray LaMontagne comes to Bluesfest, performing at the Mojo Stage on Monday April 22. He’ll also perform at Palais Theatre on Saturday April 27 (sold out) and Sunday April 28. Tickets via respective festival and venue websites.