It’s been along time since his Cold Chisel days but Ian Moss still hasn’t lost any magic. With a musical career spanning 30 years and six solo albums, his bluesy vocals and soulful, classic guitar have made him a household name in Australia. This month Ben Sorensen talks with Mossy about the three ‘P’s’: Performing, Piloting and …..Pilates would you believe??

It seems Ian Moss felt a musical calling from an early age, “I was 4 years old when I heard the ‘The battle of New Orleans’ and I was 6 years old when I was listening to Elvis Presley and Sam Cooke. I was hassling my parents endlessly to buy the singles, which was hard work when you’re born and raised in Alice Springs,” says Ian.

Later on in life he was inspired by artists such as Eric Clapton and BB King. Although he also says that he continues to be inspired by the human spirit. “I’m inspired by anyone who has taken a big knock but they get up and keep going.”

Ian says that it took time to develop a way to deal with the knocks in life and still go out and perform. “I’ve had people say to me you’re two different people on stage and off. I’m moody like the next guy so it took me years to develop that ability no matter how you’re feeling you’ve got to get on stage and switch on. Then when you do, it’s one of the most cathartic experiences you can have. So I developed a professional switch; no matter how you’re feeling you get up and do it and sometimes it’s hard to do,” says Ian.

He says that back in the Cold Chisel days there wasn’t much time for outside distractions. In 1979, Cold Chisel did 330 shows and they only had 35 days off which he says was a big year and very gruelling. While he says he wouldn’t change any part of the rocking Chisel days, he’s very happy with his life now and evolving solo career. “I love what I’m doing now and I’m living in the now,” he says.

So has Mossy mellowed and changed direction musically or has he always been a soul man at heart? “To me Cold Chisel always was blues and soul with a hard edge, particularly if you look back on songs like ‘Georgia on my mind’ and you have to have a lot of fuel for blues and soul,” says Ian.

It seems Ian Moss has relaxed into what he knows best and taken his music to the next level. Interestingly, his new album ‘Soul on West 53rd’ was named after the place it was recorded at Avatar Studios in New York City.

He says the album has his favourite songs of soul from the 60’s and 70’s, so it has a retro flavour with a modern Hi-Fi sound.  “Yeah, it’s definitely a singer’s album,” says Ian. “With a band that good, you focus intently on the song – and this time it was all about interpreting the lyrics, capturing sincerity and the ring of truth in
my performances.”

When Ian is not performing, he values a life of balance and self care. “I have reduced my consumption of unhealthy substances and I’ve been doing Pilates since 1988; it’s great maintenance stuff and good for developing core strength.” For an extra bit of R&R, Mossy likes to fly light aircraft in his spare time. Like anything in life he says, “You get your licence and then you learn how to fly.” In many ways, “It’s all about challenging yourself, keeping your mind active and keeping young,” says Ian.

Ian Moss recently toured Queensland and will continue his Australian tour until September.
For more information visit:  www.ianmoss.com.au