Lost Ragas

Before heading out into the vast desert mountains of the Flinders Ranges, Matt Walker of Lost Ragas spoke with City Hub about the bands upcoming busy tour schedule.

Matt was in extremely high spirits ahead of his week-long trek, and hopes that while out there he will find inspiration and return recharged for the tour: “I’m actually in the middle of getting my pack together and sorting out my food. I’ve done a bit of hiking and camping before but this is another level, we’re (Matt’s son and some of his own friends) hiking for five or six days and sleeping out under the stars. Then I come back and a day later I start doing gigs, I’ll either be really refreshed or half dead and malnourished,” he said laughingly.

Lost Ragas initially came together a somewhat of a side project for Matt and Shane Reilly, but they instantly found a connection that saw them bringing in Roger Bergodaz and Simon Bourke to tour together, which organically shifted into a more collective band feel. “We’re all a similar age and have been playing for a long time, so we’re all pretty established in what we do, so when something clicks and feels right it’s pretty obvious from the start,” said Matt.

The story of the bands evolution into essentially the ‘main project’ for the four members is extremely interesting. When Matt initially approached Roger and Simon he had actually expected them to be playing different instruments than what they actually wound up playing for the band. Roger was originally intended to be the drummer but when asked to join was “really digging bass”, and Simon who is usually a hammond organ player and singer had coincidently been enjoying playing drums at home, so everything fell into place neatly. “Part of the reason we’ve stuck together so tightly and why it feels so good is because everybody is doing something they really want to do, and in their cases it’s playing a second instrument they don’t usually play, so they’re enjoying the challenge and freshness that brings,” said Matt.

Even though his gruelling trek was foremost on his mind (purely because of its imminency), Matt was clearly just as excited to hit the road with the band after taking a brief time off, as he described the bands excitement levels: “We love playing live and do so regularly. If we don’t play anywhere for a month or so we actually get a bit unsettled, so we’re really looking forward to all of our gigs.” (JA)

Oct 3. Dashville Skyline Festival. Lower Belford, Hunter Valley. $57.50-165.90. Tickets & info: dashville.com.au 

Oct 23. Lazybones Lounge, 294 Marrickville Rd, Marrickville. $15. Tickets & info: lazyboneslounge.com.au