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Richard Kaal Biography |
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Rebecca and Richard
Richard Kaal, a musician/songwriter/recording engineer from Australia with
more than 35 years experience. He has been a professional entertainer for 38 years ,some of his albums are available on this site.
At 5 years of age Richard started violin studies. His father played cello and later they formed a family trio with brother Tony, also on violin,playing at various functions. At age 15 after satisfying his father with violin studies, Richard was allowed his first guitar. He very quickly picked up the instrument and it was evident immediately he wanted to sing and write music. After his mother passed in the same year he moved to Kings Cross in Sydney and soon started playing in coffee houses,sometimes for a meal. He then found an escape in racing motocross and enduro motorbikes
1974 with "Passage"
ON STAGE
A few years later he auditioned for a part in the musical in Kings Cross and shortly afterward found himself on stage touring with the show (still one of the highlights of his life). In 1971 he was offered a recording contract with EMI, which resulted in his first serious songwriting period. After recording with EMI and learning about the music industry he was offered a part in the musical 'Jesus Christ Superstar'
Richard played various parts in JCS including Jesus as understudy. A few musicians from the cast joined and formed 'Passage', an experimental group of songwriters and singers, Richard played violin, Barry Ferrier-flute, Bill Miller and Martin Falls -guitars .They all sang (a magic combo) and produced some wonderful harmonies and dynamic songs keeping a raw feel. Richard still feels this was some of the best music he has ever been involved in. However, the 70's played a bigger role in their lives than the pursuit of success so the music was never released much to the dismay of many fans of the music. ( Peter Chambers tried endlessly to get the boys together and record them)
As Jesus in 'Jesus Christ Superstar', 1975
TRAVELS
Richard then started travelling any way he could, motorbike, van, bus, train and boat, playing music wherever he could ( even at conservation rallies). Richard met Wendy in the west, they toured as a succesful musical duo around the country ending up at Thredbo in the snowy mountains, the skiing lifestyle drew them back for a few years.The album, 'Live at the Alpine' was then recorded at Silverwater studios in Sydney by Clive Shakespear.
At Wintermoon Festival
SONGWRITING
Later Richard joined the crew of 'Aquarius', a 175' three masted schooner, earning tickets in sailing and scuba. As a means to earn money he then delivered yachts, worked as a toolmaker and whenever
possible played music (jamming with whoever was keen). Richard travelled the world singing (sometimes busking) , all the while gaining inspiration for his songwriting. Many of the songs he recorded were direct experiences of his travels.'The Mountain Weeps' was written in a small town in Austria directly below the alps in springtime, the many waterfalls and the late afternoon sun provided the inspiration. During his travels he found himself drawn to Bali, first in stopovers, then as the destination.
Getting familiar with a Balinese Rindik
SAILING
Richard gained a keen interest in sailing, racing at first, then cruising the waters off the Australian coast, buying, repairing and updating his boats. He finally bought 'Cadenza', a 36 foot Van de Stadt yawl, which he restored, lived on and sailed extensively with PA system on board. He ended up in the Whitsundays, North Queensland, where he met Rebecca. They set about building a life together, selling the boat, buying land, building their own house,and together with their children, Astrid and Imogen ,visiting Bali. During this time he worked as an entertainer and built a recording studio (Paluma Rd Studio),initially to record the many songs he wrote while sailing.The song 'Dawning of the day' is a collection of early morning experiences during those years. This era produced the albums 'Dawning of the Day','Gypsies by the sea' and 'Journey of the mind'. He also continued his love for alternative fusion music, recording Aboriginal music and using the sounds in a fusion with his own. The studio became popular with the locals so Richard recorded and produced two 'Whitsunday songwriters albums' with the help of local arts grants, this started a rush of albums by local songwriters. Rebecca,(Richards wife),compiled all the artwork for the covers so the musicians were able to release an inexpensive CD.
Sunset on 'Cadenza', Great Barrier Reef,Australia
BALI
As a regular visitor to Bali over the years, a special relationship developed with the people of Sarinbuana. Being a musician I was drawn to the music culture so different from our own in Australia. This experience has developed into a love of the people and their music, so delicately woven into their Hindu way of life.The Musikaal Projects spawned from a musical appreciation of the local Angklung and the willingness of local musicians to have their music recorded and develop further the dynamic of crossculture musical experimentation. Having my own recording studio for many years in Australia, I felt I could help the locals by archiving their music as well as continue to experiment with the 'fusion' of the musical styles.
Richard and Rebecca with children Astrid and later, Imogen, visited friends in the mountains in Bali many times during the 90's and fell in love with the mountain, the people and their culture/music. They set about formulating a plan that would allow them to build a house on the mountain. They arrived back in Bali June 2003 for a month stay to get a better feel for the place. Richard immediately immersed himself into the music,sitting with the local Angklung night after night trying to get his head around the music. He decided he would record the music, take it home to Australia and study it.(along with a Rindik he bought in the village.)
Well, just a few years later the house is finished and the studio and pondok are well on their way. This time they have decided to spend six months here to develop the next part of their plan. Richard has helped Nyoman Sumartana to set up a 'Yayasan' for Balinese traditional music ( from a need to help the movement of musicians trying to revive old Balinese traditional music (eg. Yayasan Suara Dana) as well as the relatively unknown music in the smaller villages of Bali), while Rebecca is teaching their children and looking around for something meaningful to get involved in.
Presently in 2007 Richard has a vault of recordings and with his new recording system is being sought after to help promote music in various parts of Bali. He has also spent many months studying the music and is learning the very complex Pupuh and Kakawin singing.
Richard has been writing new music in collaboration with Gender and Salonding with I Made Subandi , a noted balinese traditional teacher and composer. This
fusion music takes the form of songs written by Richard and Subandi
about various characters of the wayang kulit puppet performances based
on the Ramayana and Mahabrata stories of ancient India. The gender
traditionally supports the wayang Kulit performances.
Richard and friend I Ketut Suardana, director of Yayasan Suara Dana, put together a group with Subandi to play this music. The group was invited to Wintermoon festival in QLD Australia in May 2007 where they premiered this music and were well received by musicians and audiences alike. Whilst
in Australia the group did some school performances to give the
children a close up view of the instruments and Jauh Manis costume.They
also promoted the Balinese music on Radio interviews and performances.
Performing with Gender fusion group, Wintermoon festival 2007
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