Local artist profile: Father Rob Galea

THIS week we chat with world-renowned songwriter and musician Father Rob Galea.

How would you describe your music and performance style?

My music is Christian music. I write from my heart, a heart that’s in love with God and in love with people also. My music is folk acoustic, your Ed Sheeran type of music, but when I’m working with my band it takes on more of a rock style.

Are there any particular themes that feature in your music?

I write from a place usually of melancholy, a place of having struggled with depression and anxiety all my life, but also very hopeful. I am hope filled even in the darkness that I’ve experienced.

What motivated you to become a musician? How did you come to be based in Bendigo?

I started playing music in my church after being an addict for most of my teenage life. I was 17, almost 18 years old, when I started going to youth group.

My mum played the guitar. She played in her prayer group, and they needed someone to play in church, so I learned three chords and I started playing.

I continued playing and I eventually got signed with a record label in the United Kingdom. I got a record deal for one album, and that album became Malta’s bestselling album.

I live and work at St. Killians in Bendigo. I work and serve as a Catholic priest. I also run a charity called FRG ministry, where we reach out to teenagers and adults as well, educators in particular, all across the world.

We reach at least 1.7 million people every year through our resources. That includes my music also.

What are some of the highlights you have from your career so far?

I’ve had a lot of big moments. I’ve sung for crowds as large as 1.1 million, 800,000, 500,000, 200,000. And I got to sing for the pope two times. These were great, amazing opportunities.

But the greatest memories are those when I get to work in prisons, and I get to work with people who suffer from addictions, just to give hope, especially to people who feel some kind of sense of hopelessness.

I’ve seen the power of music, how it has the power to change lives. This is where I want to be, this is what I want to do.

What do you have on the go at the moment?

I just came back from Europe. In a couple of weeks I’m going to be in the United States. I have a whole United States tour, Canada tour, Israel and I’m also going to India. So the touring is beginning again. I’m blessed to be able to get back on the road.

What would you say to encourage young regional, aspiring musicians?

I just say to be true to who you are, even if it’s a tiny niche that you’re reaching, a small crowd that you’re reaching. I’d rather reach a small crowd and be authentic than reach a massive mass of people and sell my soul in a sense.

I think when people see authenticity in music, and in our musicianship, they will follow, they will catch on, especially if there is discipline in the art and we put in our very best to be the best that we can be.