On the Couch with Cameron Goodall

Cameron Goodall AAR On the CouchWho is Cameron Goodall?
I’m a dedicated Dad who has had a wild career playing and writing music, creating and acting, mostly theatre – crazy little unhinged experimental shows and massive less unhinged ones (like The Lion King). I’ve been lucky to work all over Australia and a bit overseas. I was really lucky to be part of the Sydney Theatre Company Ensemble under Cate Blanchett and Andrew Upton – three years of incredible experiences and life-long friends there. I grew up playing in bands with my Dad and my brother Tristan (we formed The Audreys together) and anything I’ve done in my life that was half-decent has happened because of the love of my family and friends, a bit of luck and a fair bit of hard work.

What would you do differently to what you do now?
Take more time to stop and do nothing. Go for a walk. I recently drove across the Nullarbor on my own and it made me realise I don’t do anywhere near enough reflection free from technology or other distractions. Relax more I guess. Make more time to read.

Who inspires you and why?
My friends and colleagues and my family mostly. We live in a time where there are evidently less heroes on national and international platforms, in fact let’s be honest there’s mostly a pack of loons, so I guess it’s an understandable reaction that we might look to those closer to us for inspiration: My partner is smart and strong and passionate and that inspires me. My kids inspire me.

I’m actually deeply inspired by my kids’ teachers. They are so extraordinary, energetic, patient and caring. And they deserve much more in return for what they give. I’m obviously inspired by the cavalcade of guys that I get to play in The Sound Of Falling Stars. Likewise my Director/writer on the show Robyn Archer. And when all else fails it’s impossible not to be inspired by Christopher Hitchens and Patti Smith.

What would you do to make a difference in the world?
Be kind. Stop and think about things deeply. Be brave. Take risks. Have ideas. Converse. Confront when necessary. Be kind. Don’t waste time even attempting to understand bitcoin.

Favourite holiday destination and why?
I had an amazing unwinding collapse on the beach type holiday in Fiji a while back. But Italy is top of the list. Food, wine, art.

When friends come to town, what attraction would you take them to, and why?
My 4 year old says “my favourite place in the whole wide world is Darebin Parklands.” Guess he can be in charge and we’ll go there. Or we could go down to the Fairfield Boathouse. Or cruise the suburban streets for hard rubbish, which has recently become a worthwhile occupation (a kids bike, an entire CD collection that had recently been ‘digitised’, and a quite excellent cricket bat among my recent triumphs)

What are you currently reading?
My page turning xmas book was Philip Pullman’s The Book Of Dust which was fun. Now a book called Australian Gypsies: Their Secret History by Mandy Sayer is keeping me occupied.

What are you currently listening to?
All sorts. Ahhh… The playlist from Falling Stars is immense: Elvis, Hank Williams, Mario Lanza, Bobby Darin, Sam Cooke, Otis Redding, The Doors, Tim and Jeff Buckley, Gram Parsons and Kurt Cobain to name a few! New music: Nils Frahm’s new record is pretty nice, Father John Misty and John Grant tickle my fancy. And Melbourne come on how good is Grand Salvo? I only just discovered the 2008 album, Death!

Happiness is?
Happiness is one aspect of life that is notoriously overrated.

What does the future hold for you?
Hopefully more of the same and the time to properly record a swathe of 3/4 finished songs that I’ve written. I’d like to do something completely different too one day… we’ll see.

Cameron stars in The Sound of Falling Stars at Arts Centre Melbourne from 28 February 2018. For more information, visit: www.artscentremelbourne.com.au for details.

Image: Cameron Goodall (supplied)