Archer

It’s one name – Archer – nothing more. Like ‘Madonna’ or ‘Bono’… only Archer’s more likely to be found in the malls and streets of regional Victoria, plucking his acoustic guitar to the background tinkle of thrown small change, rather than fronting a stadium audience and delivering platitudes about global poverty to people who’ve paid hundreds of dollars to watch.

Archer has lead quite the restless journey in life; currently he resides in Daylesford and works most days as a labourer for an arborist or with the hat out while he busks. Born in North Carolina, he settled in Australia; labouring in the far north, to being a farmhand in New South Wales, but his voice heralds another era; his playing style and choice of music hark back to an era before Beatles or Bob Dylan…

Archer is heading into the big smoke to play two very intimate shows at Melbourne’s icon Cherry Bar this October, so we caught up with him for a bit of a chit chat.

When was it that you first started busking? 

Probably on the cusp of becoming old enough to legally kill foreign enemies.

You don’t really have any form of online presence – why is that?

I don’t know how to organise that stuff but there are heaps of crap clips of me on YouTube.

Your music is a beautiful remnant of a bygone era. What sort of music did you listen to growing up? 

Muddy Waters and Lleadbelly and Guns N’ Roses and Tex Morton and Milli Vanilli etc.

Having been born in North Carolina but raised in New South Wales, which part of the world do you feel most connected to?   

I’m a nowhere man all the world is my home and looking up at the stars couple nights ago I felt deeply connected to the entire universe.  I’ve spent most of my life in Victoria but I’m ready to bust on out.

Daylesford is a beautiful part of Victoria, what appeals to you about living there? 

I’ve never really lived in Daylesford maybe a  one year stretch one time.  Daylesford’s good for spas and spending money on bullshit.  I was living in an old shack up on bald hill for years and it burnt down and now I got a rollin’ home.

You’re soon to head down to Melbourne to play some shows? How much time would you spend in the city and do you enjoy it in contrast to the country? 

I get down maybe once or twice a month it’s an exciting place and lots of perdy girls an such.  But you’d have to say it stinks and the water tastes no good and wallabies and wombats don’t like it much but birds and foxes and rats like it plenty.  It’s good for a good time and workin’ in offices and getting trams and walking around with lots of friends and people people people  I might have gone a little agoraphobic in me old age.

Do you have any plans to release an album in the future? 

I’m recording a record at the moment which will be out next year

I see you as someone who is not trying to get rich or famous or wildly successful, and I find that extremely admirable. What is it that drives you to play music? What is it that inspires you? 

I’d be playing music anyway cos it feels good and hobbies keep can sometimes keep people from going psycho…but wild success would be good I’m just not much of an organiser.

Tell us why we shouldn’t miss your two shows at Melbourne’s Iconic Cherry Bar.

I’m playing with me mate Slippery Sid James on the slide guitar an he is smokin’ hot and ill be doing ma very best. f you like old style folk country blues or songs about flyspray and empty towns and smashing televisions then you might have some fun.

Archer plays Cherry Bar:

Cherry Bar – AC/DC Lane, Melbourne

Friday 4 & 25 October

With Slippery Sid James on Slide

2 sets between 5.30pm and 7.30pm

Get unlimited access to the coverage that shapes our culture.

Subscribe to Rolling Stone magazine

Subscribe to Rolling Stone magazine