Five Minutes with William Barton
“Renowned as a virtuoso singer and didjeridoo player, William is a musician for our times. Skilled in story-telling, blessed with phenomenal technique and driven by a need to collaborate with musicians and artists from a wide variety of musical styles and disciplines, his programme for 2019 features collaborations with violinist Veronique Serret, and with his mother Aunty Delmae Barton, among other wonderful treats. William communicates his passion with quiet authority and draws us into his unique and powerful musical world.”
– Melbourne Recital Centre
William Barton performs in Elisabeth Murdoch Hall in his concert, Contours (Photo credit: Jackson Grant)
Tell us a little bit about yourself: What got you interested in music and what do you like most about it?
I was raised in a home full of music, my mother loved Enrico Caruso and she would sing opera in the house. My uncle was a strong influence on me, Uncle Arthur Peterson his name was, was a storyteller and a traditional lore-man, I like to say he was a full-blooded medicine man. Mum used to play classical music to me before I was born. Mum as you know is an Opera Diva and we love performing together. I have been playing the didgeridoo and music since as far back as I remember.
Music is everything to me. It is spiritual, it is part of who we are. It connects me to everything. It is so powerful, a wonderful way to communicate. The only way I can speak to everyone in the world is through my music. I always wanted to be 1000% at playing music. My soul is immersed in my music.
Can you tell us more about your recent collaboration with the Australian String Quartet?
Firstly I really enjoy being at Melbourne Recital Centre, (laughing) – First Nation People really identify with our English tradition, we learnt about it in school. We have a strong connection with our Mother Country and in playing with Australian String Quartet, we find common ground – we wind it into and around the performance. Growing up in Mt Isa with Mum and Dad in the bush, I draw upon that and the influence of the soundtrack of my life and what I learned at school – the English identity has been with us all from school, we identify with that mob. I build that knowledge into a musical relationship on stage weaving that English tradition in with the Australian String Quartet, it’s very moving.
William Barton performs in Contours of Songlines, Elisabeth Murdoch Hall, Melbourne Recital Centre (Photo credit: Jackson Grant)
Share with us your aspirations or goals in the next few years.
To maintain a positive outlook collaborating with musicians in Australia and all over the world. I love travelling, meeting new people, collaborating with wider audiences, exploring our instruments and sharing knowledge whilst learning more each day.
What do you work toward in your free time?
Positive energy, very important. My personal growth, health and to be a better human being.
You’re a new addition to the crayon box. What colour would you be and why?
Blue – Blue is the water colour, it is the blood of the earth. Water holds memories, which is the expansion of life. Blue encapsulates peace, connectivity and opens discussion. The world is 71 percent water and has great power. Water travels with your sound and thus is a powerful colour for that reason. I would be blue. Water is in all of us.
What’s your favourite ’90s jam?
Nirvana, Dream Theatre and U2.