SINGER-songwriter Pete Murray would have to be one of the cruisiest guys on the Aussie music scene but that's not to say he doesn't take certain things seriously, like say, his quest for the perfect “truck-stop” burger.
We're not talking about any old-school greasy roadhouse burger here - Murray's preference is for the gluten and dairy-free variety.
“It's hard to change those old guys…even trying to get a soy milk in your coffee can be hard. Some of the guys would almost throw you out (for asking),” he laughed.
“But I did find a great little burger with a nice gluten-free bread roll the other day on the Gold Coast, so I may have actually discovered (the perfect burger) already.”
A keen surfer, troubadour Murray is at one with his natural surroundings in relaxed Byron Bay, which he's called home for the past six years, having previously lived in Melbourne, Brisbane, Canada and Europe (he actually hails from a small country town four hours west of Brisbane).
“I can write anywhere - I've written in a bathroom before - but I definitely found while writing this new album that Byron is a good spot to be; I could give myself a good break and go for a surf, which definitely clears your head,” he said.
“Maybe that's why everything is so positive (on the album), because it's a great place to hang out.”
Indeed, the new record Blue Sky Blue is underpinned by an uplifting sense of liberation, embodied by the single Free for which the video was shot in life-loving Brazil while on tour there.
Coinciding with a new touring band, Murray's fourth album signals a fresh era for the artist, whose classic LP Feeler was recently voted in the top 100 Aussie albums of all time by listeners of Triple J.
Most notably, it's his first offering since the marriage break-up in 2009 with his long-time love Amanda Coutts, with whom he has two children.
“There's a little bit of an influence of that stuff in there, but I'm positive about that,” he said.
“I guess I always view life as glass half-full rather than half-empty and I didn't want to sing any songs that are down or melancholy, as I'm over all that.”
Pete Murray plays the Astor Theatre, Mt Lawley, on October 7.
Emilia Vranjes