Humour spurs on TV duo

Transitioning from being a reality television star to a travelling musician has been a challenging experience for Dean Ray.

The X Factor 2014 runner-up is touring Australia as part of the Rebellion tour which will see him arrive in Bunbury to play the Prince of Wales Hotel on June 16 with Karise Eden, of The Voice.

Ray said it had been difficult to adjust from performing on TV each week to writing music and touring.

“It’s very hard to go from a Channel 7 celebrity to going back to what I was beforehand,” he said.

Ray said he had spent the past few months travelling the world and writing songs as he focused on making more music.

“I’ve been travelling around Australia and America to find the best songwriters,” he said.

“I want to bring more depth to mainstream music, I find a lot of songs have no lyrical depth, it’s about drinking and going to clubs.

“People inspire me a lot but I find that the songs that want to be written come out naturally.”

Ray said he was enjoying the tour after not performing much during the start of this year.

“I hadn’t stopped touring in six years so I was in a bit of a lull but I needed some time to write and do my laundry, it was hectic for a long time,” he said.

Ray said he was gelling well with Eden even though the performers had different musical influences.

“There are no egos for the both of us and we get along well even though she’s more into blues and I’m influenced by rock and blues, he said.

“The show flows well, she brings an intimate vibe and then I lift the energy a bit before we play some music together.”

“She’s got a sense of humour which is quite necessary when touring with me, I’m not a huge practical joker but I’ve got a pretty left of centre sense of humour.”

Ray said he had never been to Bunbury but was looking forward to performing at the Prince of Wales Hotel.

“The first time I heard about Bunbury was on a Rodney Rude CD, which was quite funny,” he said.

“It’s always exciting to see places that you’ve never been to before and I like to appreciate the moment rather than focusing on the last destination.”