Let go with the blues

CONCERT

Blues ’n’ Roots Special

Peel Estate Winery

11am to 5pm on Sunday, March 23

Dance away the blues at Peel Estate Winery on Sunday when musicians from across the globe perform at the annual Blues ’n’ Roots Special.

The event will be headlined by Mike de Velta and Paul Daly and The Heavy Hitters, with performances by Richie Pavledis and The Ragged Three.

De Velta said the relaxed gig had a great ambience for the entire family. “Everyone gets to take a blanket, taste the wines — it’s a nice way to pass the day,” he said.

De Velta is returning to Peel Estate Winery, boosting his acoustic tunes with help from bassist Roy Martinez and drummer Dean Wuksta.

“What it does, by inviting Martinez and Wuksta to play with me, is enable me to break free,” he said. “I can extend my solo performances and move around a lot more — it will be quite freeing.”

De Velta said blues enthusiasts would enjoy the international influences of his original material.

“I try to incorporate other world music in my blues,” he said.

“I try to create my own flavour of blues, incorporating elements of world music.”

Pavledis has returned to WA from his home in Switzerland to play at the event.

He will be performing songs from his new album, Hope Street.

“It’s been a few years since the last one, so I’m pretty excited about it,” he said.

“We’re happy with everything — it’s like a new baby born.”

Pavledis said his music was received equally well in Australia and Switzerland.

“In Europe, they don’t always understand the words but they love it and sing along,” he said.

“They are very good to me.”

The guitar is Pavledis’ instrument of choice, but he said it did not start out that way.

“I grew up as a drummer but I was always writing songs,” he said. “I was singing all the time, even from behind the drum kit.

“When I met my wife, Gabriela, we went to Switzerland and I got a job in a small bar playing the guitar and singing.

“I kept getting jobs and we spent more and more time there. My guitar playing took over my drumming.”

Pavledis considers songwriting a spiritual journey.

“I write quite a lot — more than I can ever record in my lifetime,” he said.

“A lot of them have spiritual meaning — spiritual lessons I have encountered myself or hope to encounter.

“When I write a song I try to tell the story from a heartfelt perspective.”

Pavledis said he found inspiration at different times.

“Quite often I wake up and start singing a song,” he said.

“It just hits me and I write it down. As a musician and a writer, you are interpreting stories for people — the stories people give to you.”