ABOUT ME
A story from Sydney to Bathurst, a bus full of voices, and a life that turned into songs.
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Sydney Born With Challenges From Day One
I was born in Sydney in the mid‑1960s, arriving with a few quirks that made my start in life a little different — an extra thumb on my right hand and a split eardrum that left me with slight hearing impairment. Not exactly the textbook beginning for someone who’d one day fall in love with music. But life has a way of planting seeds in strange soil, and sometimes the things that make you different become the things that shape your path.
From Sydney to Bathurst — The Turning Point
I was ten years old when music first revealed itself to me. We were travelling from Sydney to Bathurst on a school trip, the kind of scorching day where vinyl seats feel like they’re melting. One of my classmates had fallen ill, so the driver pulled over to let her get some air. The radio was broken, kids were restless, and the silence felt heavy. The driver asked if anyone knew a song to cheer her up. Somehow — maybe a nudge, maybe fate — I found myself standing in the aisle. I chose “Toreador,” and before long the whole bus was singing. When I saw the girl smile, something inside me shifted forever.
The Moment I Knew Music Was My Path
As the bus rolled away, my mate offered me the window seat — his way of saying I’d done something good. I looked out at the passing road and felt something new, something warm, something certain. If singing could make people feel better, then I wanted to do it someday. When I got home, Mum said, “That’s good, son. Now wash your hands for tea.” And as I walked down the hall, Blood, Sweat & Tears blasted from my brother’s room. That sound sealed it. I knew exactly what I wanted to do.
This Is Where the Music Became Real
Someday eventually came. I’m here now, sharing my songs — pieces of my life shaped by imagination, emotion, and the strange twists that brought me here. Over time I developed a sound people recognise instantly: that psychedelic ebow glide, the cinematic shimmer that’s become part of the Sugar Gliders identity. Tracks like Revolution Girl, my most‑played and most‑shared song, helped define that world. I’ve played in Texas, walked away with a full creative‑control agreement from Indie On Air, and built a catalogue that blends alternative blues, rock, and storytelling. I love playing live, especially festival‑style gigs with great acts. Songs like Tumbleweeds and Dust, Bye Bye Blues and the Fuse, and many more are ready for you. If you ever see me at a gig, come say hi — and if you mention Toreador, you’ll get a smile out of me.