Struggles of the people caught on CD

TROUBADOUR: David Rovics thinks people learn best through stories.

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A troubadour who draws inspiration from human struggles throughout history is on stage in Lower Moutere on August 26. He spoke with Alice Cowdrey about what's behind his latest project.

American protest singer-songwriter David Rovics is inspired by a wealth of material.

The 43-year-old grassroots activist not only writes about a range of contemporary left-wing, humanitarian interests but looks to influential historical events for musical encouragement.

It's got to the point where the acoustic folk singer has written so many historical ballads that he has put together a CD –Troubadour: People's History in Song.

The album has 18 songs on it – six which have never appeared on a CD, and the rest taken from recordings he made between 1998-2009.

The songs canvas history from all over the world including Ireland, America, Vietnam, Europe, Australia, Chile, Canada and Israel.

Some of these songs will be sung when he plays at the Riverside Community and Cultural Centre in Lower Moutere tonight but the album will not be released until October.

Rovics played at the community's cultural centre around the same time last year, with organisers of the gig calling it electrifying, moving and humorous.

"For the size of the town it was really great, there were maybe 40 or 50 people, I can't remember exactly but something like that, which I thought seemed pretty good considering there's a heck a lot of a lot more trees than people around there," Rovics says cheekily during a chat with The Nelson Mail.

As well as finding historical events to write about after reading books, Rovics finds inspiration through talking with people and travelling.

He does not doubt being able to draw inspiration from New Zealand's past for songs.

"I am most of the way through reading Michael King's History of New Zealand. It's a fantastic book. I haven't really settled about what I might be writing about first, but I definitely see a song about New Zealand history is coming up.

"I think people really learn best through stories and whether the story is in the form of a song or somebody is telling it, or it's a really well written book or whatever, people are most affected by something that has a real narrative to it."

He says it is amazing how many "really important historical events" have happened all over the world where very little has been written about them.

"I used to think I was just adding onto a pile of stuff that's out there and didn't take it so seriously but it is really interesting.

Rovics tours the world regularly, playing for large and small audiences at cafes, pubs, universities, churches, union halls and protest movements.

He is well-versed in the history of social struggle and a social critic of current affairs and his songs are accompanied by acoustic guitar playing. Based in Portland, Oregon, Rovics has just finished a tour in Australia and is now making his way around New Zealand performing 10 gigs – or more like 12 if you include a couple of impromptu performances in Christchurch and Dunedin during workers' rallies to protest at the Government's move to extend the 90-day probation law to all businesses.

• David Rovics plays at the Riverside Community and Cultural Centre at 7.30pm tonight. Tickets are $15 at the door.

- © Fairfax NZ News