“Music has always been a mirror to society. It reflects our struggles, our triumphs, and our collective humanity. Growing up, I was influenced by artists like Marvin Gaye, Jimi Hendrix, R.L. Burnside, Muddy Waters, and Prince — all of whom challenged social norms, pushed boundaries, and spoke truth to power.”

Daxton: Serpent Of The (Blues) Road

Daxton Monaghan is an Australian musician and songwriter based on Sydney. Daxton has produced numerous albums and performs regularly throughout the east coast of Australia. Although he's made a name for himself primarily as an acoustic guitar and resonator player, Daxton, leans more heavily into the electric and psychedelic sides of his blues-rock palette on his new album, Serpent Of The Road. “I went with more of an electric approach," he notes. "I wanted to go in a more psychedelic direction this time. When I first started playing guitar I was molded by what was around me, so I was listening to a lot of new interpretations of old style blues and psychedelia; everything from Hendrix and Canned Heat to Beefheart. That shaped my guitar playing and my approach, and I leaned back into that on these new songs." Over the course of 10 songs, echoes of everything from spaghetti western soundtracks to the classic era of the Fillmore West to to densely layered fuzz fests that hint at desert rock all come into play in one way or another, and they all work together to make Serpent Of The Road the Australian singer-guitarist's most eclectic record to date.

(Photo: Daxton Monaghan)

Rather than diving headfirst into deeply personal sagas, Serpent Of The Road is populated by characters and stories of Daxton's own creation. "Writing these songs was like painting pictures. When I'm writing, I start working with riffs and melodies, that's what really lets everything begin to take shape. The words don't always come quickly, but once I have the music moving along I can figure out how to phrase them over the top. I'll alter words to fit with the guitar lines because, for me, the story the guitar is telling in the melody and in the bridges and choruses is as important as the words, they're bound together."

Interview by MichaelLimnios                Special Thanks: Larry Kay (Night Train PR)

How has the music influenced your views of the world? How do you describe your sound and songbook?

 Music has greatly influenced the way I see the world. Exploring new genres I’ve never listened to before feels like stepping into entirely new worlds, each with its own rich language, emotion, and way of expressing ideas. It opens my mind to different perspectives and ways of thinking. When I’m creating, I often visualise ideas and write them down as I experiment with musical concepts. If a particular sound or feeling sparks inspiration, I’ll sit with it for a while and allow a song to naturally grow from that idea.

My sound sits somewhere between psychedelic, industrial, blues, and rock. It developed organically through influences such as Captain Beefheart, Tom Waits, Canned Heat, and Jimi Hendrix, among others. These artists shaped my approach to songwriting and sound exploration, encouraging me to blend rawness, experimentation, and emotion into my music.

A defining moment for my songwriting came in late 2009 while driving through the Nevada desert. That landscape elevated my ideas and deeply shaped my creative direction. I spent time writing in many Motel 6 rooms across the USA, absorbing the environments I moved through. Traveling from Beatty, Nevada through to Arizona, the music I listened to and the places I passed through seeped into my songwriting, leaving a lasting imprint on the tone, atmosphere, and storytelling within my work.

Where does your creative drive come from? What's the balance in music between technique (skills) and soul/emotions?

My creative drive comes from curiosity, lived experience, and emotion. It’s about

responding to the world around me and translating moments, feelings, and observations into sound. Inspiration often comes unexpectedly — from a place, a mood, or even silence — and once it appears, I feel compelled to explore it fully.

For me, technique and soul must exist in balance. Technique provides the structure and tools to express an idea clearly, but soul and emotion are what give the music its meaning. Too much technique without feeling can sound sterile, while emotion without enough control can lose its impact. When the two meet, the music feels honest, alive, and capable of connecting with people on a deeper level.

“I want my music to have that same effect: to make people feel something real, to provoke thought, and to bridge divides. It’s not just entertainment — it’s a way to communicate across cultures, experiences, and generations. Music can heal, challenge, inspire, and unite. That’s what I hope my songs do.” (Photo: Daxton, Australian musician and songwriter based on Sydney/Central Coast beaches)

Why do you think that the Blues continues to generate such a devoted following?

The blues continues to generate such a devoted following because it speaks directly to lived experience and raw human emotion.

At its core, the blues is about responding honestly to the world — translating hardship, joy, loss, and resilience into sound. People recognise themselves in that honesty.

The balance between technique and soul is especially important in the blues. The technical elements provide a simple, familiar structure, but it’s the emotion behind the notes that gives the music its power. Too much technique can strip the blues of its feeling, while pure emotion without control can lose its impact. When that balance is right, the blues feels real, alive, and deeply personal.

Because of this, the blues transcends time and trends. It continues to connect with listeners on a human level, creating a sense of shared experience that keeps people coming back generation after generation.

What do you miss most nowadays from the music of the past? What are your hopes and fears for the future of music?

What I miss most about the past is the sense of discovery — taking time to sit with music, letting it unfold, and allowing it to shape you without distraction. There was a deeper patience in how music was listened to and absorbed, and a stronger connection between the artist, the song, and the listener.

My hope for the future of music is that authenticity continues to matter. I hope artists keep taking risks, exploring new sounds, and drawing from genuine lived experience rather than chasing trends. Technology can be a powerful tool if it supports creativity rather than replacing it.

My fear is that music becomes too disposable — consumed quickly and forgotten just as fast. When everything is driven by algorithms and instant attention, there’s a risk of losing depth, soul, and individuality. Still, I believe that honest music will always find its audience, because people will always seek something real to connect with.

“The biggest lessons I’ve learned are about honesty, persistence, and patience. Music is unforgiving — it doesn’t reward shortcuts or pretence. You have to put in the time, experiment, fail, and push through doubt. At the same time, you have to stay true to your voice; if the music isn’t honest, it won’t connect.” (Photo: Daxton Monaghan, an acoustic guitar and resonator player)

What moment changed your life the most? What´s been the highlights in your life and career so far?

The moment that changed my life the most wasn’t glamorous — it was a time when I was young, broke, and feeling alienated, like I didn’t belong anywhere. Music became my escape, my lifeline. I would lose myself in records, in riffs, in the raw energy of sound, and in doing so, I found a way to survive and make sense of the world.

Highlights in my life and career aren’t about fame or accolades — they’re the small, intense victories: finishing a song that captures exactly what I feel, playing in a room where people actually feel it too, and connecting with listeners in a way that makes them pause, reflect, or even just breathe a little easier. Music has been both my compass and my home.

What is the impact of music on the racial and socio-cultural implications?  How do you want the music to affect people?

Music has always been a mirror to society. It reflects our struggles, our triumphs, and our collective humanity. Growing up, I was influenced by artists like Marvin Gaye, Jimi Hendrix, R.L. Burnside, Muddy Waters, and Prince — all of whom challenged social norms, pushed boundaries, and spoke truth to power.

I want my music to have that same effect: to make people feel something real, to provoke thought, and to bridge divides. It’s not just entertainment — it’s a way to communicate across cultures, experiences, and generations. Music can heal, challenge, inspire, and unite. That’s what I hope my songs do.

What are some of the most important lessons you have learned from your experience in the music paths?

The biggest lessons I’ve learned are about honesty, persistence, and patience. Music is unforgiving — it doesn’t reward shortcuts or pretence. You have to put in the time, experiment, fail, and push through doubt. At the same time, you have to stay true to your voice; if the music isn’t honest, it won’t connect.

I’ve also learned that inspiration is everywhere: in silence, in failure, in the people you meet, and the places you pass through. And finally, that music isn’t just about the notes or the songs — it’s about connection. The moment someone truly hears you, the risk and effort are worth it.

Daxton Monaghan - Home

(Photo: Daxton Monaghan)