Australian singer-songwriter William Crighton joins host Jack Stafford for a remarkable conversation with legendary explorer, anthropologist and ethnobotanist Wade Davis — bestselling author of The Serpent and the Rainbow and one of the world’s leading voices on indigenous cultures, psychedelics, anthropology and human consciousness.
Recorded on Wade Davis’ 70th birthday, this episode explores Aboriginal songlines, Dreamtime, psychedelics, race, optimism, creativity, music as trance, fatherhood, indigenous wisdom and the modern crisis of meaning.
Before Wade joins the conversation, William discusses his evolving sound, his acclaimed album Water and Dust, collaborations with William Barton and Jeff Lang, touring in Canada and China, his prison songwriting programme and his focus on lower-carbon solo touring.
During the episode, Wade says:
“Despair is an insult to the imagination.”
Later:
“Give your destiny time to find you.”
That line inspired William to write a brand new original song called Destiny, which closes the episode.
Podsongs is the podcast where musicians interview inspiring non-musical guests as inspiration for a new song.
Timestamps:
00:00 Show Intro
00:34 William Crighton’s Sound Journey
04:30 Authenticity, Art & Service
05:32 Why William Chose Wade Davis
08:57 Wade Davis Stories & 70th Birthday
10:58 Touring Canada & Musical Roots
12:53 Australia, Landscape & History
14:43 China, Walkabout & The New Album
20:00 COVID Lockdowns & The Birth of Podsongs
22:11 Wade Davis Joins The Call
24:02 Aboriginal Dreaming & Songlines
28:52 Why Race Is A Myth According To Genetics
38:49 Optimism As A Choice
43:04 Psychedelics & Phases Of Life
46:44 Sacred Experience vs Religion
48:07 Music As Trance & Prayer
53:30 Nature, Myth & Metaphor
56:45 Hope In An Age Of Change
01:05:09 How Landscape Shapes Culture
01:08:53 Egalitarianism & Human Connection
01:17:11 Elder Wisdom & Destiny
01:23:48 Lucky Breaks, Risk & Saying Yes
01:28:07 Final Reflections & New Song
01:32:24 “Give Your Destiny Time To Find You”
William Crighton:
William Crighton Official Website
Pre-save Destiny:
Pre-save Destiny on Spotify
Podsongs:
Podsongs Official Website
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