Ziggy Alberts' fifth studio album, 'Dancing In The Dark', was, according to the indie singer-songwriter, a big undertaking.
"It was a surprise how quick the release date came around," Ziggy says, having been overseas touring ahead of the album's release.Since it dropped earlier this month and had its own space to breathe, Ziggy's had a little time to reflect on what it was about this offering that made it "a big undertaking".
"This album came off the back of [2021's] 'Searching For Freedom'," Ziggy begins.
"To have done two, full-length albums in that last two or three years – I was in the studio since the borders shut; I guess as you release more work, I mean, I have a lot of love for the album, but I don't have huge expectations of what the music has to do or what people have to make of the album.
"If people resonate with it, then they resonate with it. Otherwise, I've already had such a ridiculous amount of connection with people over the years, that [with] each album that's come out, the more I reflect upon, the more I'm just happy for it to exist.
"If it is people's favourite album, fantastic," Ziggy continues of 'Dancing In The Dark', "but if it's not, I guess I've already been so lucky in so many ways. I'm pretty, what's the word? I'm content. I'm really happy for the artistic direction we took with it."
Artistically, receptively, and methodically, Ziggy isn't necessarily the kind of musician who looks at how his latest release stands up against his back catalogue. "Artistically, definitely," he says. "'Dancing In The Dark' is a really different record to 'Searching For Freedom'.
"On a production level, even the songs themselves it's such a different album. Yin and yang albums, which is kind of fitting because that's what I wanted to achieve.
"On a songwriting level, I think I definitely found new territory, new topics. Songs like 'Rewind' are a massive breakthrough for me; it's the first kind of bossa nova track I've written.
"The title track, how it was presented was a real highlight. It's already been incredible, and the journey hasn't even started, I haven't even toured the album yet."
After recently making his return to the live stage, Ziggy says he was "pleasantly surprised" at how well received last year's 'Searching For Freedom' album was.
"Until you tour, you don't really know what people think," he says. "So, to go back on tour and see that that album has become as important an album as any [of my] albums was crazy.
"With 'Dancing In The Dark', I have no expectations. If it only achieved ten million streams (which it already has), isn't that already ridiculous? It's already amazing but if it manages to touch just one or two people, then I've already kind of achieved everything I'd wanted."
This idea of contentment that Ziggy has found on his 'Dancing In The Dark' journey is one he hopes he can carry through into future endeavours.
"Upon reflection, it's that gratitude – which is such a cliché – but now, I'm probably more grateful than ever for the fact that I've gone out and play the shows that I play and have the listenership I have.
"I think it makes you feel a bit blind to what people feel about your music until you go on tour. To connect with everybody again, let the people decide. My approach to touring is to let the songs speak for themselves, and I just want people to have the best time."
'Dancing In The Dark' is available. Ziggy Alberts supports Jack Johnson on his Australian tour.
Jack Johnson 2022 Tour Dates
Tue 29 Nov - Kings Park And Botanic Garden (Perth)* sold outWed 30 Nov - Kings Park & Botanic Garden (Perth)
Fri 2 Dec - HOTA Amphitheatre (Gold Coast)* sold out
Sat 3 Dec - The Riverstage (Brisbane)* sold out
Mon 5 Dec - Sydney Opera House Forecourt* sold out
Tue 6 Dec - Sydney Opera House Forecourt* limited tixs
Wed 7 Dec - Sydney Opera House Forecourt
Thu 8 Dec - Sidney Myer Music Bowl (Melbourne)
