In his conversation with Australian Musician editor Greg Phillips, Melbourne-based percussionist and composer Alex Pertout reflects on a life shaped by movement, collaboration and cultural exchange while introducing his new album Viajes (“Travels”). The discussion traces how migration, global musical encounters and decades as one of Australia’s most in-demand session players have culminated in a deeply personal recording. With the Viajes album newly released, we also decided that the timing was perfect to bestow the honour of
Musician on the Month upon Alex for March 2026. Photos by Jason Rosewarne
MORE ABOUT THE INTERVIEW
Pertout recalls leaving Chile as a child, first living in Italy before settling in Australia, a sequence of moves that broadened his cultural outlook early on. Exposure to Latin American music through a shortwave radio program in Italy proved pivotal, sparking a lifelong fascination with rhythm and ultimately steering him toward percussion. By the time he began establishing himself in Australia, word-of-mouth session work quickly followed, leading to contributions on iconic recordings by major local artists such as Daryl Braithwaite, Powderfinger and Hunters & Collectors. These experiences sharpened his studio instincts and reinforced his belief in music as a collaborative craft.
Travel sits at the heart of Viajes. Pertout describes journeys as catalysts for creativity, opening doors to new rhythmic languages and musical philosophies, from the diverse traditions of Latin America to formative experiences touring and studying with the Australian Art Orchestra in India. The album reflects this global perspective, weaving together percussive textures, melodic writing and musicians from multiple countries, often recorded in intimate home-studio settings during his travels.
Compositionally, Pertout works from melody and rhythmic concepts developed in solitude before building layered demos and gradually replacing parts with guest performances. This method allows him to assemble an international cast while maintaining a cohesive sonic vision. Across its six extended pieces, Viajes balances strong percussive foundations with reflective, often nostalgic themes, showcasing both his technical command and emotional range.
Pertout views the album as part of a broader legacy project. After decades enhancing other artists’ recordings, he is now focused on expanding his own catalogue and sharing music across borders, with growing interest from audiences in places such as Chile and Cuba. While performing the full album live presents logistical challenges, he hopes to reinterpret selections in new formats and continues to work on further recordings, keeping his creative momentum firmly tied to exploration and travel.
https://alexpertout.bandcamp.com/
THE ALBUM
Chilean-Australian percussionist, composer, producer Alex Pertout presents ‘Viajes (Travels)’, an intimate and cinematic album that serves as a logbook of his musical life. Six-tracks trace a personal route from the Andes Mountains to the spiritual ‘Fourth World’, passing through the ritual heart of Cuba and the nostalgia of boleros. With deep respect, Pertout weaves unexpected connections: a Chilean folk song collected by Violeta Parra dialogues with jazz; sacred Afro-Cuban (Lucumí) chants expand into contemporary harmonic arrangements; and melodies inspired by Carnatic India blend with atmospheric soundscapes. This is the culmination of decades of exploration, a work that embodies the prophecy of a universal, borderless music.
THE JOURNEY For this journey, Pertout convened a constellation of international artists, recording between Melbourne, Havana, Santiago, Buenos Aires, Chennai, West Cork, Launceston and New York. The album is a dialogue between tradition and avant-garde, where respect for roots merges with creative freedom.
TRACKLIST
1 – La Cordillera / El Palomo (8:42) Composer: Alex Pertout (“La Cordillera”) Traditional Chilean Folksong (“El Palomo”) – Reimagined and Arranged by Alex Pertout 2 – Farewell (7:06) Composer: Alex Pertout
3 – Ashirvad (9:55) Composer: Alex Pertout
4 – Lejos De Ti (7:05) Composer: Alex Pertout
5 – L’Oyá / Longo Ito (7:35) Traditional Afro-Cuban Chants – Reimagined and Arranged by Alex Pertout
6 – Saudade (7:42) Composer: Alex Pertout
SPECIAL GUESTS Sandy Evans, Charulatha Mani, Mike Stern, Magdalena Matthey, Justo Pelladito, Silvia Cabrera, Cesar Lopez, Luke Howard, Mayquel Gonzalez, Miroslav Bukovsky, Alan Plachta, Susannah Coleman-Brown, William Roblejo, Stephen Housden, Pedro Villagra, Leonardo Perez, Steve Wade, Craig Newman, Ben Robertson and Gerry Pantazis.
