G’day Clancy. You’re becoming renowned for your abilities on the classical guitar. When did you first begin playing?
It’s a funny story actually. I was 10 years old and my Dad was an amateur mandolin player at the time and wanted someone to play with him. I volunteered and got a guitar for Christmas. Then he quit. We never really got a chance to play together.
When did you move into Classical Guitar?
When I was about 13 my mum had loaned a John Williams CD from a neighbour and I just loved it. I learnt a couple of pieces and the rest is history.
I understand that you completed formal study?
Yes I studied music right through school and then did my undergraduate at the Melbourne University Conservatorium of Music. I then went overseas to Scotland to study at the Royal Conservatoire which is regarded as one of the best music schools in the world. I was in the United Kingdom for a year and a half. I returned home as COVID struck.
When did you take your performances from theory into practice?
When I was studying Year 12 I needed to do a recital as part of my Year 12 prac. In under 24 hours my family pulled together a last minute concert at the Maldon Neighbourhood Centre. We had 20 people turn out. In the years since I have performed locally numerous times and I am currently presenting my ‘A Dream in The Forest’ concert series at venues across the state.
I curated the concert after the 2019-20 bushfires. I was in the UK at the time and seeing the devastation back home. I wanted to curate a program that reflected the emotions I was feeling. All the pieces are very deeply felt, and explore love, grief or connection with land.
I’d imagine your music has taken you far and wide?
Unfortunately covid has made it a bit difficult to really do a lot of shows and get my name out there, but I am looking forward to continuing to perform across the region and beyond and try and break out.
This year I’ve already performed at Melbourne, Montsalvat, Flinders, Rainbow, Horsham, Ararat, Bendigo, Castlemaine and Maldon. I have shows coming up at Shepparton this Saturday, Daylesford’s Convent Gallery Chapel on August 21 at 2pm; Newstead Arts Hub on August 26 at 7pm and Mica Grange Sculpture Garden Studio on August 28 at 2pm.
Do you have a day job whilst trying to get your musical career off the ground?
Yes I teach music one and a half days a week at two schools in Bendigo.
It must be nice to pass your skills on to the next generation?
It’s really rewarding. I truly believe that anyone can be a great musician if they are willing to work at it. I don’t think its all about talent. I’ve worked hard to get where I am today. It’s great to see that potential in a musician and be able to nurture it.
So how long have you lived in Maldon?
We moved to Maldon when I was 15. We live on the side of Mount Tarrengower in granite country.
Where are you from originally?
I grew up in Alice Springs.
Is there anything that people may not realise about you Clancy?
I love being outdoors, hiking and bushwalking with my dogs Mango, Fella and Gype. I’m passionate about the environment and as an artist I feel very strongly that my role is to help people reconnect with their love for the natural world around them.
OK then… onto a few of our other fun questions. What are you reading at the moment Clancy?
I don’t have a lot of time for reading these days but when I am having trouble sleeping I like to pick up an old copy of Young Adult fiction Lionboy.
What’s your musical genre or artists of preference outside of your performance space?
I actually enjoy listening to classical music when I am not playing it. I also enjoy Celtic music such as Martin Hayes, and cultural or world music in general. I am not really big on western music.
OK. Three dream dinner guests?
That’s a tough one! If I could have anyone in the world for dinner I would probably just have a few good friends over. I’m a pretty average cook so I don’t know if it’d be fair to invite famous people.
Lovely. Any philosophies by which you like to lead life?
Right now my philosophy is ‘Hoist your sails and see if the wind catches them’. In other words give it a crack and see if it works. I hope to make it in the music world. All you can do is try.
Do you have any pet peeves?
Those who are unwilling to give people a shot, without even listening or looking at them.
What do you enjoy most about the place you call home?
What I enjoy most is walking amongst the granite boulders in spring on a sunny day when the flowers are all out.