Darling Downs home for Pete

PLAYING a show in Toowoomba is like playing a show in his home town, says Australian singer-songwriter Pete Murray. Murray, who was born in Miles and grew up in Chinchilla, is bringing his Camacho Tour to the Darling Downs this week.

Toowoomba was a big city; it was the big smoke,” Murray said.

“I was very sporty so I did a lot of swimming and athletics and rugby, I’d always be coming to compete in the Darling Downs titles.

“The whole region for me is home. I feel like I’m doing a home town gig when I get back there.

“This gig is going to be an important one for me and I hope everyone has a good time.”

The show at the Empire Theatre is part of Murray’s 33-date national tour, celebrating his sixth studio album Camacho. Guaranteed to be lapped up by new and old fans alike, the album is a diverse, uplifting, emotive and powerful record from a seasoned songwriter who is unafraid to challenge himself with new and exciting sounds.

Collaborations abound on this record, as Murray worked with the likes of hip-hop producer Trials, Eric J Dubowsky, Tony Buchen, Andrew Burford and ARIA-winning producer Jon Hume.

Murray said the thing he wanted to do differently with Camacho was to take his time and get it right.

“So many times in the past I have jumped into a studio for four to six weeks and recorded an album,” he said.

“Once the recording time is over, so is the album.”

But with Camacho, he said, there was no rush.

He recorded it in his own studio. “This album really was about just having time to do it right, recording something and then listening to it for a few weeks and then going back and recording something a little bit different,” he said.

“I got the songs (to be) the best they could be.”

Murray said the feedback he’d received while touring was fantastic.

“The feedback from everybody on the album, on the live show, the band, has been incredible,” he said.

“I’ve had people say that they’d never thought they’d like an album more than Feeler (Murray’s second studio album) but that Camacho has become a favourite.”

He said he felt it was important to take the tour on the road and perform for fans in regional areas.

“Not a lot of bands come out there and it’s always fun to play in regional areas, you pick up a bit of a party vibe.”

Murray will perform at The Empire Theatre on Wednesday, September 6, at 8pm.

Tickets are available at empiretheatre.com.au or by phoning 1300 655 299.