BIRKDALE musician Torin Peat is set to take the stage at Byron Bay’s Bluesfest as a finalist in the Grommits under-18 busking competition.
Torin, 14, was selected from a competitive field of 400 applicants, securing his spot as one of just six under-18s and 26 adults chosen for the prestigious event next weekend.
He has been given a 20-minute set, with a second set on the main stage if he is judged a winner.
His mother, Nicole, shared that the family first became aware of the festival while camping in Byron Bay last Easter.
When Torin expressed interest in attending, she encouraged him to enter the competition.
“Entering the competition was a long shot so it was quite a shock, to be honest, to hear the news (he was a finalist),” Nicole said.
“But we are incredibly proud. And now we are happily off to the festival. His grandad is even coming down with his swag and his Indian motorbike.”
Torin plans to perform four original songs in his set, each offering a different sound and sentiment.
His audition piece, Horseback Blues, explores the theme of trouble finding you even when you try to stay out of it.
Other songs in his set include tracks about missing the school bus, his dog Cello, and a song titled I Play Guitar, which reflects on the contrast between the digital world and the joy of making music.
“My generation is really influenced by social media and technology,” Torin said.
“I think there is more to life than that and so I wrote this song.
“They might play video games, but I play guitar.”
Torin, who describes himself as still finding his style, plans to showcase his musical versatility during the set, blending various styles to explore different possibilities.
“I do like blues and country. I find it cool,” he added.
Torin’s musical journey began when he inherited his grandfather’s Maton guitar.
“I picked it up and just went with it,” he recalled.
“Dad taught me a few riffs and we started jamming together.”
Since then, he has expanded his musical repertoire, taking lessons at school and learning to play bass guitar, piano, harmonica and percussion.
Now fully immersed in his music, Torin enjoys connecting with people through the sounds he creates.
“I like to watch people enjoy the music and sounds I create,” he said.
Nicole emphasised her son’s dedication to his craft, noting that he is constantly absorbed in his music.
“It’s what he does all day,” she said.
“He comes home from school, puts his bags down and goes straight to play his instruments.
“It’s his happy place. When he’s not playing music, he’s listening or researching music.
“He loves patterns, and I think that’s why he is so quick at picking things up.”
Torin also shared how he approaches songwriting.
“I like to write the chord progressions and riffs, then add lyrics to the melody when writing music,” he said.
“The stories grow out of this.”
