In typical Aussie fashion, a thick mustache runs just underneath ARIA Platinum-certified folk star Ziggy Alberts’s lip line outside of Movember. If you were to ask about his whereabouts, we’re never quite sure if we should point you toward a beach or a recording studio, his illustrious guitar not being very far. Good thing for you: his two worlds always seem to be entirely merged together. Take the announcement video for his latest era, New Love, uploaded roughly two weeks ago, where he’s surfing a crystal blue wave! This tide didn’t sneak up on us. Instead, it was in a careful layering of a single of the same name and then, uh, a tour of the same name (but we’ll get into it later, promise!).
For now, we’d prefer to let you know what our exclusive interview with Ziggy Alberts entails. Of course, there’s a lot of surfer talk, and for you waterheads, make sure never to ask what their favorite spot is like we did! He also has a family-run publishing company, Commonfolk Records, and more.
Commonfolk Records
As an independent artist, your self-belief has flourished your career through carving out Commonfolk Records! Obviously, freedom as an artist is fundamental, but what does the phrase “creative autonomy” mean specifically to you?
Creative autonomy is, in its simplest form, me being able to have freedom on the topic of releases, style, and timing, but it has also given me the ability to work with family and friends and take the path less traveled. Starting Commonfolk was a big decision, but I’m proud of the risks we’ve taken and the fact that we’ve stayed true to ourselves. We bet on our vision, stayed independent, did things our way, and trusted that it would lead to where we are now.
What’s interesting about Commonfolk Records is that it’s located in your home state of Queensland rather than where you made your stamp on music: Byron Bay, NSW. It shows that giving back to local artists is essential, and you still have that sense of home within you. Was wanting to rebirth that sentiment of belonging a factor in the label being based in Queensland?
To be honest, basing Commonfolk in Queensland because that’s where most of my family is. I founded the company in 2018 with my sister and my father, and soon after, my aunties and brothers joined the team. It’s a true family-run business. We have since grown to an 11-person full-time office team, with a few non-related members (haha), but they’ve become family, too.
Commonfolk Records also extended a few years ago, pushing toward publishing, which then helped you release a couple of poetry books! One of those poems was read during your Laps Around the Sun tour gig at Fremantle Arts Centre in 2019. It’s now been reworked for the announcement video for your seventh studio album (an impressive number as it is), New Love! What is it about that particular poem that shapes this new album?
It’s funny because now you mention it, I forgot that I read that poem on the LAPS Aus tour back in 2019. How fitting. It’s called The Responsibility of the Dreamer, and I guess it’s a call to adventure and making the best of your life. I think it’s a great way to introduce the album.
New Love
We can’t discuss the album announcement of New Love without referencing the Easter eggs, the New Love World Tour, and the song ‘New Love,’ released around five months ago. It seems like you like to do things backward, ha. Did anyone catch on that it alluded to something bigger?
I definitely have a penchant for doing things a little differently (haha)! The easter eggs leading up to the album announcement have also been ideas my team has had, so I can’t take all the responsibility for it.
The New Love World Tour is just another step in that journey, where we can dive deeper into the songs and the stories behind them in a live space. It’s a beautiful way to connect, and I love that people are engaged and theorising about what’s coming next. It makes the whole process feel even more fun!
Its latest single, ‘Where Does The Love Go?’ is also out. We love the Perth call-out. As touring has taken up quite a bit of your time in the previous years, has another city most inspired this body of work?
Every location had something different, making the album more of a journey—a collection of influences woven together rather than tied to any one city. It’s about the people I met and the connections I made, and how I also changed as a person. I do find Western Australia very inspiring, and love my shows in Perth, so shoutout to all the West Aus crew.
Garrett Kato, whom you’ve collaborated with for a while, also helped with this track! And we’re particularly interested in this character, “Dr. Love Go,” whom you’ve helped craft up! If we’re going off your dream of him having a comic strip, what shenanigan do you think would first ensue?
He would be a hopeless romantic with a sidekick dog, and he always saves the day but usually fumbles in the middle.
His Other Love: Surfing
One of your other pastimes, surfing, comes to the center again in this new era! Digging into the bag of surfing tricks, if you had to associate a move with the themes of this new album, which would it be?
Working your whole life for a big wave, pulling in, getting barrelled, and making it in front of your friends… which happened at Cloudbreak, Fiji, earlier this year.
You’ve recently commented that moving away from surfing just at the beach to other venues, such as parks in nature, is something you enjoy, especially after having surfed in Germany. What’s been your all-time favorite location to surf?
That’s a tough one because there are so many incredible spots! If I had to choose an all-time favourite, it would probably be Western Australia. The combination of stunning scenery, powerful waves, and the rugged landscape makes it so special. There’s something about being surrounded by nature while riding those epic swells that really resonates with me.
Surfing there feels like a full-body experience—you’re connected to the ocean and the land, and it just inspires creativity in so many ways. Every session feels like an adventure, and I love how it reminds me of the beauty and power of nature, which often seeps into my music. It’s truly a magical place!
Finally, what are you listening to? What stand-out albums from this year have made their way to your playlists?
Honestly, my favourite song of late is ‘Gasoline’ by Lily Meola. I’m obsessed. No albums from this year, I’m afraid, but like everyone else, I really like Stick Season!
What’s your favorite lyric from Ziggy’s ‘Where Does The Love Go?’ There are so many thought-provoking nuggets to name. So we’d much prefer you to do it for us on our social media, Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook!
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