Australia, in fact, has had greater than its fair proportion of music that made it huge abroad. AC/DC, INXS, Iggy Azalea, Kylie Minogue, Tame Impala, The Bee Gees … the listing may go on and on. And but some musicians which might be completely iconic right here in Australia have by no means fairly damaged by way of within the U.S.
Crowded House can pull in a pretty big viewers in American venues, bolstered by the enduring success of their 1986 hit “Don’t Dream It’s Over,” which reached No. 2 on the Billboard charts within the U.S., although many Americans who’re accustomed to that track wouldn’t know that the band has continued to provide music to nice success in Australia.
Nick Cave (who, admittedly, has not lived in Australia since 1980) holds a big cult following globally, which appears to be rising exponentially yearly. But Paul Kelly, who’s commonly (and solely considerably precisely) described as Australia’s Bob Dylan, has by no means gained a big foothold within the U.S. market, regardless of touring there commonly. His 1988 track, “Dumb Things,” which was on the soundtrack of the film “Young Einstein,” was his most profitable worldwide hit.
I’ve seen Paul Kelly play in America roughly a dozen instances, normally in tiny venues. I’m wondering why he does it, when he can simply fill arenas at house. Perhaps the expertise of intimacy is as magical to him as it’s to the viewers — and it’s magical, heartbreaking, transfixing. I’ve introduced alongside American family and friends to his reveals, hoping that by listening to this intensely Australian singer who has meant a lot to me that they may perceive one thing of my Australian soul.
They normally don’t get it. I’ve questioned aloud for many years why that’s. My brother had probably the most poetic response: “Listening to Paul Kelly is Australian in the same way as the spooked feeling that grips you when you’re alone in the bush. Try telling someone about that — unless they’ve experienced it, unless they’ve lived here, they won’t get it.”
