Richard Kaal, a musician/songwriter/recording engineer from Australia with
more than 35 years experience. He has been a professional entertainer for 38 years ,some of
his albums are available on this site.
At 5 years of age Richard started violin studies. His father played cello and later they
formed a family trio with brother Tony, also on violin, playing at various functions. At age
15 after satisfying his father with violin studies, Richard was allowed his first guitar. He
very quickly picked up the instrument and it was evident immediately he wanted to sing and
write music. After his mother passed in the same year he moved to Kings Cross in Sydney and
soon started playing in coffee houses, sometimes for just a meal.
ON STAGE
A few years later he auditioned for a part in the musical HAIR, in Kings Cross and shortly
afterward found himself on stage touring with the show (still one of the highlights of his
life).
In 1971 he was offered a recording contract with EMI, which resulted in his first
serious songwriting period. After recording with EMI and learning about the music industry
he was offered a part in the musical 'Jesus Christ Superstar'
Richard played various parts in JCS ncluding Jesus as understudy. A few musicians from the
cast joined and formed 'Passage', an experimental group of songwriters and singers, Richard
played violin, Barry Ferrier-flute, Bill Miller and Martin Falls -guitars .They all sang (a
magic combo) and produced some wonderful harmonies and dynamic songs keeping a raw feel.
Richard still feels this was some of the best music he has ever been involved in. However,
the 70's played a bigger role in their lives than the pursuit of success so the music was
never released much to the dismay of many fans of the music. ( Peter Chambers tried
endlessly to get the boys together and record them)
TRAVELS:
Richard then started travelling any way he could, motorbike, van, bus, train and boat,
playing music wherever he could ( even at conservation rallies). Richard met Wendy in the
west, they toured as a succesful musical duo around the country ending up at Thredbo in the
snowy mountains, the skiing lifestyle drew them back for a few years. The album, 'Live at the
Alpine' was then recorded at Silverwater studios in Sydney by Clive Shakespear.
SONGWRITING:
Later Richard joined the crew of 'Aquarius', a 175' three masted schooner, earning tickets
in sailing and scuba. As a means to earn money he then delivered yachts, worked as a
toolmaker and whenever possible played music (jamming with whoever was keen).
Richard travelled the world singing (sometimes busking) , all the while gaining inspiration
for his songwriting.
Many of the songs he recorded were direct experiences of his travels.'The Mountain Weeps'
was written in a small town in Austria directly below the alps in springtime, the many
waterfalls and the late afternoon sun provided the inspiration. During his travels he found
himself drawn to Bali, first in stopovers, then as the destination.
SAILING:
Richard gained a keen interest in sailing, racing at first, then cruising the waters off the
Australian coast, buying, repairing and updating his boats. He finally bought 'Cadenza', a
36 foot Van de Stadt yawl, which he restored, lived on and sailed extensively with PA system
on board. He ended up in the Whitsundays, North Queensland.
During the next few years he worked as an entertainer and built a recording studio (Paluma
Rd Studio),initially to record the many songs he wrote while sailing.
The song 'Dawning of the day' is a collection of early morning experiences during those
years. This era produced the albums 'Dawning of the Day','Gypsies by the sea' and 'Journey
of the mind'.
He also continued his love for alternative fusion music, recording Aboriginal music and
using the sounds in a fusion with his own.
The studio became popular with the locals so Richard recorded and produced two 'Whitsunday
songwriters albums' with the help of local arts grants, this started a rush of albums by
local songwriters.
BALI:
As a regular visitor to Bali over the years, a special relationship developed with the
people of Sarinbuana in the mountains. 'Being a musician I was drawn to the music culture so
different from our own in Australia'. This experience has developed into a love of the
people and their music, so delicately woven into their Hindu way of life.
The Musikaal Projects ( www.musikaal.com ) spawned from a musical appreciation of the local
Angklung and the willingness of local musicians to have their music recorded and develop
further the dynamic of crossculture musical experimentation. Having my own recording studio
for many years in Australia, I felt I could help preserve Balinese traditional music by
recording and
archiving the music as well as continue to experiment with the 'fusion' of the musical
styles.
After many long stays in Bali Richard and family decided to move there and build a house.
Richard immediately immersed himself into the music, sitting with the local Angklung night
after night trying to get his head around the music. He decided he would record the music,
take it home to Australia and study it.(along with a Rindik he bought in the village.)
Well, just a few years later the house was finished and the studio and pondok were well on
their way. At this time they decided to spend six months in Bali to develop the next part of
their plan.
Richard helped Nyoman Sumartana to set up a 'Yayasan' for Balinese traditional music ( from
a need to help the movement of musicians trying to revive old Balinese traditional music
(eg. Yayasan Suara Dana) as well as the relatively unknown music in the smaller villages of
Bali).
By 2008 Richard had a vault of recordings and with his new recording system which is being
sought after to help promote music in various parts of Bali. He has also spent many months
studying the music and is studying the very complex Pupuh and Kakawin singing.
COLLABORATION: Richard has been writing new music in collaboration with Gender and Salonding with I Made
Subandi , a noted balinese traditional teacher and composer. This fusion music takes the
form of songs written by Richard and Subandi about various characters of the wayang kulit
puppet performances based on the Ramayana and Mahabrata stories of ancient India. The gender
traditionally supports the wayang Kulit performances.
Richard and friend, I Ketut Suardana, director of Yayasan Suara Dana, put together a group
with Subandi to play this music. The group was invited to Wintermoon festival in QLD
Australia in May 2007 where they premiered this music and were well received by musicians
and audiences alike. They also promoted the Balinese music on Radio interviews and
performances.
Richard now has built up quite a beautiful retreat center on the mountain called Bali
Mountain Retreat. (www.balimountainretreat.com )
Here music and the Arts is the focus with Retreats in Yoga, Bali Music and tradition, Dance
and songwriting. He has a Protools facilities available to document and record Demos etc.
2011.. Richard has continued exploring the music of Indonesia, going to Java and finding new
recording opportunities, he bought a very old Gamelan Gong ( Slendro) and a complete set of
Wayang Kulit puppets from a village in the mountains near Wonogiri, and has finished
restoring them.
The story continues.....
"The music is already present in nature, I take only credit for accepting the gift"
