Author(s): Carl Cleves

Literature

From the Sudan to Northern New South Wales, Tarab is an epic, mesmerizing tale of high adventure and the search for meaning. Carl Cleves escapes national service in Belgium to live in South Africa at the height of the Apartheid era. So begins the adventures and quests, wanderings and narrow escapes, mishaps and illuminations of a guitar-toting troubadour in his roles as young beat poet, law student, single father, ethnomusicologist, relief worker in India and recording star in Brazil. Cleves's page turning memoir is no simple music biography, but rather the travel story of an artist's quest for Tarab: a place where music and poetry bestow true bliss upon the lucky one. It's by turns philosophical, funny, adventurous and insightful.Carl Cleves was born in Belgium. After completing his Doctorate of Law, in Belgium, he set out on a life of travel which took him to over fifty countries, eventually leading him to settle in Byron Bay, Australia. In Brazil he released 2 acclaimed albums. In Australia Carl established himself as a notable songwriter, with his compositions appearing on countless CD compilations and winning industry awards.The Hottentots have recorded 4 CDs, and have twice won NCEIA Best Album awards. In 2000 their song Put your hand in mine' was performed by a 700 voice choir and transmitted, as part of ABC TV's Today program to 60 countries. Their fourth CD Turn Back the Tide' won the Australian Songwriters' Association Award and the 2006 Music Oz Award. The Hottentots have performed at all major Australian festivals, in Europe and Latin America and in 2006 travelled to Madagascar, where Carl made a documentary about Malagasy culture and music to be released in the coming months. In August 2007 Carl was awarded the prize for Best Lyrics 2007 at the Australian Songwriters' Association Awards. He is also planning a collection of songs that will capture in music the spirit of his forthcoming book, Tarab.