Ziggy Alberts: Wildly Underprepared
from Waterpeople Hosted by Lauren L. Hill & Dave Rastovich - surf stories & ocean adventures
What does it take for you to slow down? Ziggy Alberts started playing live at 17, admittedly underprepared, but fizzing. By 21, he was staring at a studio ceiling noticing the lights had gone dim, but no one had touched the switch. It led him to break down to a friend. After years of “hell-for-leather” world-touring, he'd finally stayed still long enough to feel what he'd been outrunning. Ziggy is a songwriter, surfer, and founder of Common Folk Records, the independent label he built with his family and has run for nearly nine years. He grew up homeschooled on the Sunshine Coast, home-birthed and beach-shacked, surfing ratting before music making. In 2025, Ziggy, now in his 30s, toured 165 days and played The Royal Albert Hall to a packed house of fans who crossed Europe to be there. This year? Only 3 or 4 shows. In this episode, he explains why. Our conversation moves through burnout and self-belief, busking the streets of Byron, the physiological crash that follows a long tour, what it takes for men to talk to each other, and the art of dissolving — in music and in surfing, both. … Ziggy’s song ‘Runaway’ is featured in this episode. … Notable links + recommendations from this episode: Ishmael by Daniel Quinn Michael Hutchence / INXS documentary New Jack Johnson film Steph Strings, Aussie musician Spotify daily upload rate — conversations cites 60,000 songs per day, that stat seems to be older, probably more like 100,000+ in 2026. Send us Fan Mail ... Co-Hosts + Production: Lauren L. Hill & Dave Rastovich Sound + Video Engineer: Ben J Alexander Theme song: Shannon Sol Carroll Additional music by Kai Mcgilvray + Ben J Alexander Closing track: 'Sunseekers' by Andysixstring Join the conversation: @Waterpeoplepodcast ... Thanks to our generous sponsors this season: Patagonia Australia: in business to save our home planet Ngalung Kalla Eco Retreat: surf adventure paradise The Sunglass Fix: give your favourite sunglasses new life Sodii: hydration for salty humans ... Subscribe to our newsletter for BTS stories from making the podcast, and the books, films and music we’re currently into. Written by us + free to read.
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What this episode covers
What does it take for you to slow down? Ziggy Alberts started playing live at 17, admittedly underprepared, but fizzing. By 21, he was staring at a studio ceiling noticing the lights had gone dim, but no one had touched the switch. It led him to break down to a friend. After years of “hell-for-leather” world-touring, he'd finally stayed still long enough to feel what he'd been outrunning. Ziggy is a songwriter, surfer, and founder of Common Folk Records, the independent label he built with hi...
Chapters
- 0:00 The Crash That Got His Attention
- 0:16 Water People Season Eight Opens
- 1:43 A Quiet Surf Before The Mics
- 8:02 Early Encounters And Activism Gigs
- 16:02 Burnout At 21 And Speaking Up
- 24:22 Homeschooling And Learning To Be Yourself
- 32:34 Byron Bay Beginnings And Busking Lessons
- 40:02 Keeping Music Magic Without Rules
- 45:34 Insecurity After Big Shows
- 48:38 Post Tour Blues Need A Plan
- 57:15 AI Music And The Content Hamster Wheel
- 59:37 Why Stay Independent With A Label
- 1:09:38 Surfing Flow State And Dissolving
- 1:17:12 Hospitalization And Daily Practices
- 1:22:06 Men’s Mental Health And Male Friendship
- 1:36:45 Defining Artists And Timeless Art
- 1:46:30 Thirties Grounding And Redefining Success
- 1:50:43 Where To Continue The Conversation
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