Western Australian storyteller and red-dirt rocker, Billy Woodley follows up his previous 2021 singles – 'Some Things Never Die' and 'Red Dirt Country' with 'If It Isn't So Clear'.
The self-taught graduate of Tamworth's Academy of Country Music, Billy grew up in Port Headland on a steady diet of John Fogerty and Red Hot Chili Peppers.Billy's songs deal with his love for a good tale nurtured amongst his lifestyle of fishing, hunting, cyclones and bare feet, plus via his family of Palyku (Balgu), Banjima, Yued and Whadjuk lineages.
Although his music career is still in its infancy, Billy has already played Bunuru Festival and Nannup Music Festival as well as Hidden Treasures Festival in Fremantle.
Who is... Billy Woodley is the name I grew up in the country of Port/ South Hedland; started playing when I was maybe ten.
Originally picked up a bass guitar being my fave instrument, then I found I could sing so I switched to the acoustic; did my first recording at 19. Always had a lot of self-doubt until I went to Tamworth and found some balls. Now I'm doing pubs, a couple festivals feeling like I can make it ready for a tour.
I sound like... Not 100 per cent sure I have a set sound yet, but I've been told there's some cross between Pearl Jam, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Blink-182, Creed – sort of that era of grunge, punk, pub-rock type sound.
I've got some unreleased stuff that's pretty bluesy and soulful; stay tuned aha. I tend to write to how I feel at the time or what it was that inspired me – not entirely genre based.
My first gig was... My first performance was at WA NAIDOC Awards. I sang one original, was nervous as sang like a statue.
When did you settle on the group's name, and was it a unanimous decision... Originally I wanted to be in a full-on band, but it was when I went to Tamworth for the Academy of Country Music where Lyn Bowtell and Catherine Britt convinced me to use my own name.
In the studio I'm usually... Straight to the coffee machine, catch up talk, then into the studio where I'll either play acoustic and sing or bring a demo track then feel it out from there.
If I could tour with anyone... Probably dreaming now but John Fogerty would be awesome to be alongside and maybe Foo Fighters or Oasis.
Social media is... A headache haha! I'm from the bush – gimme a fishing line and a throwing net. . . I'll be good.
My favourite app at the moment is... Probably Sudoku. Good lil brain exercise and when in season it's AFL Live or NBA app – love my sports.
To date my most embarrassing moment was the time... I was singing in my room to a Brute underarm spray can. I had no shirt on rolling around on the bed doing push-ups pretending I was Anthony Kiedis thinking no one could see me, but the security shutters weren't fully closed.
My family managed to get a camera on me through the gap, filmed me. Hopefully the footage is gone, haha!
Life on the road can be... I actually don't mind it. It's like being on autopilot; less thinking the better sometimes.
If you'll have me on your bill, all I ask is that my rider contains... Just give us a six-pack or couple beers on tap for the nerves aha.
The most scary scenario I've found myself in, was... Talking music-wise, I was down south in Prevelly doing the Bunuru Festival and we were 'bout to play in about two hours and my drummer calls me up and tells me he's just left and I my heart sank coz it's a three-hour drive at least.
I was like I'm gonna go drown myself at the beach; then he rings back 20 minutes later; he's just pulling into the town. I nearly went grey I swear aha, but it was a good show in the end.
What celebrity/ famous person would you love to be your spokesperson... Ryan Reynolds for the sarcasm or Denzel Washington just coz he's Denzel. I mean, who ain't gonna listen to Zel?
If you had to live in a city abroad, where would you choose and why? Hawaii. Though I've never been, I'm a saltwater baby – gotta be near the ocean or wherever I can fish.
Three people you'd like to invite around for a dinner party... Bernie Mac, Chris Rock and Mike Epps; lotta jokes.
If we were coming over to your place, what would you cook us? Coconut curry or roo stew.
When it comes to pets are you a lover or hater of our furry friends? I'm a dog lover definitely; currently got a husky named Rusky. He's a character.
No matter the expense, send me a case of... Tim Tams and guitar picks, haha.
The last time I saw the inside of a gym was... Probably February or something; usually stop when footy season starts.
What's the one chore you dislike the most? Cleaning the backyard definitely. I used to hide in the toilet when we were kids when the old boy would make us do backyard work.
Do you have any phobias? I have a shark phobia from when I was little. I used to dream about watching my family get eaten alive; and centipedes – same thing from a dream, but they used to chase me up streetlight poles aha.
Would you ever partake in a reality show? I wouldn't mind doing 'Survivor' without voting people off though; I'd just chill on an island.
If you could prank any of your friends, who's your target, and how are you bringing them down? Probably my baby sister; just wait in the dark when she walks out to the fridge or something – jump out and shout. Never gets old tbh.
Best local takeaway joint for a 2am feed that will leave you with a food coma? Probably Alfred's Kitchen; they make a mean steak burger.
Which fictional character best describes your personality? I wanna say Goku but I'm not a Super Saiyan haha! Nah, don't really know how to answer that one. I'm pretty laid-back, chill, problem free so whoever fits that description.
Last show you binge-watched? 'Wu-Tang: An American Saga' on Stan; even though not all footage is spot on, just watching their struggles and how they came to be is pretty inspiring; made me wanna rap and make beats.
