Who is Linsey Pollak?
Linsey Pollak is well known around Australia, as a musician, instrument maker, composer, musical director and community music facilitator. He has toured his solo shows extensively in Europe, North America and Asia since 1996.
What would you do differently to what you do now?
I have no idea. If I was suddenly time traveled to sometime in my past… once again I would bumble along making the decisions that seem best at the time and constantly being reminded that it is the seemingly insignificant events and chance meetings that can turn our whole lives around. In my case I’ve been lucky with those chance occurrences ranging from a kombi breaking down in Croatia, to hearing an album in a friend’s record collection, to Jess (my lover and partner) being dragged along to a Folk Festival.
Who inspires you and why?
My 3 sisters and more and more in retrospect I am inspired by my parents. And recently – Greta Thunberg – a Swedish School student Climate Change activist.
What would you do to make a difference in the world?
I began by making a commitment not to have children. Already when I was 18 I believed that there were too many humans on this small planet. I also want to use my music to help people understand what we are losing, what we are destroying. My use of the sounds of endangered species to create music is a small contribution to making people more aware of the current extinction crisis.
Favourite holiday destination and why?
That would be telling!
When friends come to town, what attraction would you take them to, and why?
Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve Rainforest near Maleny.
What are you currently reading?
Burial Rites by Hannah Kent.
What are you currently listening to?
Dhafer Youssef’s full live concert in Izmir (2013) …on YouTube.
Happiness is?
Different for everybody
What does the future hold for you?
Time with my lover and partner Jess, time in the workshop developing and making a new instrument – The Cylisax, performing with Dangerous Song (duo with Lizzie O’Keefe) including our collaboration with Bukhchuluun Ganburged at WOMADelaide. Performing my new solo show Paper, Scissors… Rock! A camping trip!
Linsey performs with Lizzie O’Keefe in Dangerous Song & Bukhu at the 2019 WOMADelaide Festival: 8 – 11 March. For more information, visit: www.womadelaide.com.au for details.
Image: Linsey Pollak (supplied)