In a recent interview, legendary Australian rocker Tim Rogers opened up about the unexpected items that have become his faithful companions during his three decades touring the world. The You Am I frontman and solo artist revealed the quirky essentials that keep him grounded amidst the chaos of life on the road.
Bringing Home on the Road
For Rogers, maintaining a sense of home is crucial to surviving the endless string of anonymous hotel rooms that come with touring. His secret weapon? A trusty portable record player.
A large part of touring is keeping your head above water so you can be a good bandmate. Having a portable player with you sparks intimate conversations with people, because people’s taste, particularly in music and books, is a real window into the way they want to live their lives.
– Tim Rogers
Alongside his spinning vinyl, Rogers always makes sure to have a book on hand, both for reading and jotting down notes, song ideas, and musings. After a long hiatus from reading, he’s rediscovered its power in recent years.
“I find if there’s any sadness, anxiety, or tension in your life, reading – particularly fiction – is the only surefire relief and tranquility,” Rogers shares. Whatever book he’s currently delving into becomes a canvas for scribbles and half-concocted songs in the margins.
An Unconventional Travel Necessity
Perhaps the most surprising item in Rogers’ arsenal against the stresses of travel is a simple sprig of eucalyptus leaves. As a self-proclaimed “shocking flyer,” he’s found an unusual way to bring a piece of his country Victorian home with him wherever he goes.
“I’ve found that stashing my pockets with some gum leaves from the trees around us is wonderful for any tension or anxiety while traveling,” Rogers reveals. The only problem? Airport security isn’t always on board with his unconventional stress relief method.
I keep checking with airlines, can I bring a eucalyptus plant in my luggage? They say, no, you idiot Rogers, how many times do you have to ask! So there are way too many sprigs of eucalyptus left behind in airports around this country.
– Tim Rogers
Mentoring the Next Generation
When he’s not on the road himself, Rogers has been busy passing on the wisdom gained from his years in the industry to up-and-coming musicians. He recently served as a mentor on the ABC series Headliners, which followed inclusion advocate Elly-May Barnes’ mission to create two bands comprised entirely of musicians with disabilities.
For Rogers, it was an opportunity to share not just musical knowledge, but the life lessons learned from navigating the peaks and valleys of a career in rock. Alongside fellow mentor Ella Hooper of Killing Heidi fame, he guided the diverse group of artists on their journey to the stage.
The Timeless Power of Music and Words
At the end of the day, it’s the timeless combination of music and literature that continues to sustain Rogers both on and off the stage. From spinning records in solitary hotel rooms to scribbling lyrics in dog-eared paperbacks, these simple joys remain his constants in an ever-changing world.
As he continues to tour with both You Am I and as a solo artist, Rogers holds fast to the quirky talismans that keep him connected to home and grounded in the things that matter most. And if airport security could just turn a blind eye to a few pilfered gum leaves, he’d be all set to take on the world, one show at a time.
