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Bobby Alu
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Bobby Alu | |
|---|---|
 Bobby Alu performing in 2016 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | Charles Robert Fa'agalu Wall[1] |
| Genres | Tropical folk, reggae, roots[2][3] |
| Years active | 2010–present |
| Website | bobbyalu |
Bobby Alu (born Charles Robert Fa'Agalu Wall) is a Samoan-Australian musician, singer-songwriter, drummer and ukulele player.[4] His music blends elements of tropical folk, roots, reggae and Polynesian rhythm, drawing on his Samoan heritage and life by the sea.[3][5] Alu has released multiple studio albums since 2010 and toured internationally, both as a solo artist and as a percussionist supporting other acts.
Early life and education
[edit]Alu was born Charles Robert Fa'Agalu Wall. Alu's mother is from Falealili, Samoa, and his father is from Australia.[6][7] He was born on the Gold Coast and studied at Griffith University.[8] He began learning the ukulele at age six, and later developed his musical skills through performance, particularly as a drummer.[1]
Career
[edit]Bobby Alu's professional career began with roles as a percussionist and drummer, including touring internationally with Australian artist Xavier Rudd.[1] During this period he honed his performance skills and gained exposure to audiences around the world.[3][9]
In 2010, Alu released his self-titled debut studio album, followed by Take It Slow in 2013,[4] which was produced by Paulie Bromley.[10] His third album, Flow (2019), received critical attention from The Australian for its upbeat, uplifting sound[2][11] and was included in Australian radio station's Double J list of the 50 best albums of 2019.[12]
Alu was nominated for Best International Pacific Artist at the 2019 Pacific Music Awards, [13] and Flow was nominated for an Australian Independent Record Award in 2020.[14]
During the COVID-19 lockdowns in 2020, Alu regularly sang with his mother, Foloi. Together, they recorded an EP of folk songs sung in Samoan, which was released as Samoa Silasila in 2022.[15]
In May 2024, Alu released his fourth album, Keep It Tropical,[16] which was described by Songlines magazine as "nothing too demanding, just a finger-tapping sway in a sun-drenched musical hammock."[1] The album reached #3 on the ARIA Australian Albums Chart[17] and reached #1 on the AIR Independent Label Albums chart.[8]
Alu has supported and performed alongside a range of artists on tour, including John Butler Trio and Trevor Hall,[18] and has taken his own music to international audiences across Europe, North America and Australia. His live performances are known for their positive, feel-good energy and connection with audiences. In 2025, to celebrate the 10th anniversary of his track "My Style", he announced an evening tour of intimate full-band shows.[8]
Artistry and influences
[edit]Alu's music is often categorized as tropical folk[2] but is heavily influenced by reggae, citing Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, and Burning Spear as key inspirations.[3] He describes his songwriting as seeking a balance between being "spiritual yet playful, and tight but loose."[3] His Samoan heritage plays a significant role in his artistry; he has noted that in Samoan culture, "everyone can sing," which shaped his organic approach to music-making.[5]
His songwriting process has evolved from a spontaneous flow to a more disciplined craft, before returning to a method that embraces spontaneity and reduces self-criticism.[3][5] He has spoken about designing rituals to access creativity, later learning to write without restrictive conditions.[5]
Discography
[edit]Albums
[edit]- Bobby Alu (2010)
- Take It Slow (2013)
- Flow (2019)
- Keep It Tropical (2024)
Extended plays
[edit]- Samoa Silasila (with Foloi Wall) (2022)
- Bay Sessions (2015)[9]
Singles
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b c d Seth Jordan, "Keep It Tropical (review)", Songlines, no. 201 (October 2024), p. 62, ISSN 1464-8113, retrieved 2024-11-02
- ^ a b c "Cold Chisel's ninth album 'Blood Moon': all killer, no filler", The Australian, 2019-12-06, archived from the original on 2023-11-23
- ^ a b c d e f g "In Conversation: Bobby Alu", Byron Magazine, 2025-03-15, retrieved 2026-02-08
- ^ a b "Music is a direct line to the soul for Samoan-Australian musician Bobby Alu", Australian Broadcasting Corporation, 2023-11-07, retrieved 2024-11-02
- ^ a b c d "Songwriting with a Sense of Play with Bobby Alu", I Heart Songwriting Club, 2022-07-21, retrieved 2026-02-08
- ^ "Enjoy two live songs by Samoan-Australian musician Bobby Alu and his mum Foloi", Australian Broadcasting Corporation, 2024-02-27, retrieved 2024-11-02
- ^ "Pacific Profile: Bobby Alu", Australian Broadcasting Corporation, 2019-06-03, retrieved 2024-11-02
- ^ a b c "Meet Bobby Alu", Inside Gold Coast, 2022-07-21, retrieved 2026-02-08
- ^ a b "Bobby Alu wants to Take It Slow", Byron Shire Echo, 2015-02-20, retrieved 2026-02-08
- ^ "Bobby Alu wants to Take It Slow", Byron Shire Echo, 2013-09-20, retrieved 2024-11-04
- ^ Dan Condon (2019-10-20), "Bobby Alu – Flow", Double J, retrieved 2024-11-02
- ^ Dorothy Markek (2019-12-03), "The 50 best albums of 2019", Double J, retrieved 2024-11-03
- ^ "2019 Pacific Music Awards Nominees", Pacific Music Awards, retrieved 2024-11-02
- ^ Jasper Bruce (2020-09-01), "Female artists lead nominations for 2020 AIR awards", NME, retrieved 2024-11-04
- ^ "Bobby Alu explores his Samoan heritage by making an album with his mum", Australian Broadcasting Corporation, 2022-06-10, retrieved 2024-11-02
- ^ Ewelina Cender Korpak (2024-05-03), "Bobby Alu – Keep It Tropical", CityGuide Rhein-Neckar (in German), retrieved 2024-11-03
- ^ "ARIA Top 209 Australian Albums for week of 13 May 2024", ARIA, retrieved 2024-11-02
- ^ "Bobby Alu brings ALL the island vibes on ridiculously catchy new single, 'Keep It Tropical'", The Point Music News, 2024-04-07, retrieved 2026-02-08
- ^ Aastik Bairagi (2024-04-06), "Bobby Alu Announces New Album 'Keep It Tropical'", Music Feeds, retrieved 2024-11-03