Josh Rawiri profile

A bon fire lights up a Broome beach, as musician Josh Rawiri chows down on Kangaroo while learning how to make a rope from the animals skin.

`I was up in Broome and playing a gig when I met this bloke who taught me how to run under water, we ate kangaroo and he taught me how to utilies the animal by make a rope from its skin` said Josh.

`One of the best parts about being a musician is the people I get to meet,` he said.

Following the release of his debut album, Josh is returning to Townsville on the back of his national tour.

`I have been to Townsville one time before, lots of young people who like to party but also a nice place to relax and take it easy,` he said.

After spending 12 months writing the album, Josh is happy to see the music translate live.

`It is really good to play live and interact with people,'

`The album is really diverse which is good, because there is nothing worse then when each song sounds the same as the next,` he said.

`I really did not want to make an album like that.`

With influences such as Bob Marley, Ben Harper, John Butler and rock bands like Led Zeppelin, Josh has developed a unique sound.

`It is a fusion between rock, reggae and blues with guitar work.`

`They aim of my music is to get people together so people can let go of their inhibitions and interact with each other,` he said.

A self taught musician with the ability to play four types of guitar, harmonica and sing, it is hard to believe that Josh original started out as a chef.

`After I finished my chief course I decided I wanted to follow through with music,'

`I started off playing Sunday sessions and then went on to open mic nights,` he said.

One of Josh's more memorable gigs occurred at the Bondi Hotel.

`A footy team were really excited by the music and everything, a few of them got naked, that was defiantly one of the funniest things I have seen.`

Kangaroo skin rope and naked footballers - no doubt that Josh will collect more memorable tales as he continues his national tour around Australia.

Joshs Townsville gigs are September 18 The Exchange Hotel, September 24 Molly Malones, September 25 The Australian, September 26 The Imperial Hotel and October 1 Molly Malones, all at 8:00pm