After kickstarting his music career in the ‘90s as an MC, US maverick Aloe Blacc switched his style to rich, heart-rending soul, releasing two albums Shine Through and Good Things on the iconic Stones Throw imprint, the latter of which yielded I Need A Dollar, a song which quickly ignited thanks to a sync with the 2009 HBO program How To Make It In America.

Out in Australia this summer to bring a touch of misty-eyed soul to Sydney Festival and then onto his own dates around the country, the stirring singer took some time out to talk to inthemix about his career progression in what proved to be a typically thoughtful yet concise conversation.

Hey mate, what’re you up to today?

“Just at soundcheck in San Francisco, I’m starting my US tour. We’re doing 20 shows this time but it doesn’t feel like much because we just got back from Europe after 40 days on tour. This’ll be easy for us.”

What was the reception like in Europe for you?

“It was great, the level of hospitality over there is just incredible. And we had about 80% of our shows sell out with great audiences so I take that as a sign that it went pretty well.”

Have you felt the response grow with each subsequent tour that you’ve been doing, chipping away at more exposure?

“Actually no. This is a brand new experience for me. This sort of attention for Good Things and I Need A Dollar, it’s crazy. My other album, Shine Through, didn’t have this kind of attention on it when it was released.”

Is there anything you put that down to then? Is it a case of hitting something at the right time or is it the exposure from How To Make It In America?

“I think it would definitely be a combination of How To Make It In America and the strength of the song I Need A Dollar.”

Yeah, right. Well it’s definitely a strong tune and I think it’s resonated with a lot of people who have heard it and that’s probably sparked a lot of interest in them for what else you’ve got in your catalogue.

“Well I’ve got other songs, I promise you that. And I hope people come and find them.”

When you started emceeing and making music back in the ‘90s did you ever think about getting to a point like this where your song’s on TV and you’re doing tours in Australia?

“No, absolutely not. I did music as a hobby; I didn’t like sports, I didn’t play video games or get high, I made music. That was my thing on the side that I did. I’ve just been really really lucky that I’ve now been able to make a living out of it. I’ve seen a lot of people come and go so I know that I’m very fortunate to be where I am.”