Ben Sharp is Cloudkicker. The name is held in almost mystical reverence by a devoted core of alternative music fans all over the globe.  This is not just down to his unique ability to create jaw-droppingly intricate, textured songs without influence from any other creative force, but also his humble, self-sufficient ethic towards the distribution of his work. Most musicians expect to eke some sort of living from their creative efforts. Well, not Ben Sharp. For the past five years, while holding down a full-time job, he has made every single note of his remarkable music available for free, and funnelled any proceeds he receives into funding his next project. I wanted to catch up with Ben and ask him a few things about the world of Cloudkicker.

BR.On the front cover of your ]​]​]​[​[​[ release there is a picture of a guy with an epic beard, who is he and what made you choose that image for your artwork?

My Australian friends have let me know on numerous occasions that the man is named Ned Kelley. I think he’s somewhat of a folk hero there. He sounds pretty badass based on his Wikipedia page.

BR. You're well known to have a very humble attitude towards remuneration for your music, tell us about how this has changed since Discovery/Map, what is your current model?

Since the beginning of Cloudkicker, people have been somewhat incessant about their desire to give me money. I always thought it was a little odd, but I didn’t really do anything about it because I didn’t feel like I had the skills necessary to set up any kind of method of donation or anything. But then Bandcamp happened right around the time I was writing music for Beacons and I decided to go all out and get CDs and records and shirts and a lot of the things people had always asked me for, as well as a “pay what you want” system. But people can still get the music for free, and they always will be able to.

BR. You've mentioned the need to constantly push yourself in return for the inspirational relationship shared with your fans and the new record reflects this, new fans are sure to be born but others might not enjoy this shift in style, do you feel that its a bit unkind to the founding Fathers of the Cloudkicker appreciation movement?

Eh, no. Evolution is fun.

BR. Have you had any interest from labels in the past and what would it take for you to consider signing a deal?

I’ve had interest, and I always thank them for taking the time to get in touch, but I don’t see why I would ever need a label. I think I’m doing just fine without one.

BR. Your recording equipment setup is shifting and growing more impressive with each release, what is your favorite bit of kit and is any of your old kit for sale?

I really dig the Telecaster and Jazz Bass that I’m recording the new stuff with. I don’t consider myself a “gear” guy by any means, but to me you can’t beat a really good guitar made from really good materials. I’m pretty sure I’ve already sold all my old stuff actually.

BR. Is there anything on your kit wish list that you haven’t yet acquired?

No not really. Of course I could just go buy stuff but I don’t think I need anything at the moment.

BR. So whats next on the agenda for Cloudkicker? Any thoughts as to what direction you are going to take the next album?

Yeah I’m already pretty far into it. It’s definitely a return to familiar territory as far as instrumentation goes, but I’m trying out new sources of inspiration and some new ideas for the way I record things.

BR. Have you ever considered a collaboration with any other artists, if so who would you most like to work with and why?

I don’t really know, I’m perfectly happy working alone.

BR. Where might you like this project to have led you in ten years?

Oh man I don’t even know. One day at a time.

BR. When you’re not busy creating music what music do you listen to, do you follow any new bands at all? Anything we should be listening to?

I listen to a whole lot of things. I’ve been listening to this one Philip Glass album lately, “Glassworks”. Everyone should hear Steve Reich’s “Music for 18 Musicians” before they die. Right now I’m listening to Hum, “You’d Prefer an Astronaut.” Columbus has an “All classical music all the time” radio station (101.1) that I’ve had on in my car for a week or two. It’s pretty boss, there aren’t any commercials. Also “Gloss Drop” by Battles and “We Love Our Enemies” by Actors and Actresses.

BR. Final question, If the world was going to end tomorrow and you could tell your listeners to go out and do one last thing, what would it be?

It would depend on how the world was going to end, but basically just have a party.