"You could make a clarinet out of a carrot and a bagpipe from rubber gloves... The whole point is not taking the world around us for granted."

In this episode, Harley sits down with long time Woodfordian Linsey Pollak, a musical wonder, craftsperson, and what Harley calls a "perpetual toddler" of endless curiosity and excitement.

What starts as a conversation about the strange-looking instruments on the table becomes an epic tale of experimentation, craft, and following passion wherever it leads. Some would say, making your own luck with the opportunities life throws at you.

With a lifetime of musical exploration, he shares his journey from picking up a secondhand clarinet at 11, through high school experimental bands to creating finely crafted renaissance instrument masterpieces and finding a mentor in Macedonia after a kombi breakdown.

He talks about the beauty of being silly with your craft, why not taking things (or people) for granted matters, and how meeting the right people can completely reshape your creative journey.

Linsey also brings his rubber glove bagpipe to demonstrate the instrument that perfectly captures his philosophy: function without pretense, silliness as serious art.

Catch Linsey this Woodford with his band Gosti I Gosti serenading the Chai Tent.

This episode is for:

• Musicians and makers asking themselves "is there another way to do this?"
• People who love craft and getting their hands dirty
• Anyone who's ever felt called to drop their original plan and follow curiosity instead
• People who believe you should question assumptions about what objects are "supposed" to do

Dive in to hear about why:

• A planned science career can completely pivot into something magical and unexpected
• Australian desert timbers like gidgey and mulga create instruments as unique as the maker
• Craft and playfulness aren't opposites - they thrive beautifully together

FOR MORE:

Linsey Pollak: https://www.linseypollak.com/

Harley Breen: https://www.harleybreen.com.au/

Tickets to Woodford Folk Festival: https://woodfordfolkfestival.com/

CREDITS: Host: Harley Breen | Guest: Linsey Pollak | Producer: Benny Wallington | Recorded on Gubbi Gubbi Country | Music by: The East Pointers & Linsey Pollak | Executive Producers: Cameron Scurrah & Bree Hickson-Jameison

#RadioWoodfordia #WoodfordFolkFestival #LinseyPollak #MusiciansOfWoodford #InstrumentMaker #DIYCulture #ExperimentalMusic #Craft #FoundObjects #QueenslandMusic #IndependentMusic #HarleyBreen #CreativeCurious #MusiciansLife #CommunityOverCommerce

Join the Woodfordian Citizens:

Perks -

- Bi-Monthly emails sharing the ins and outs of the world of Woodfordia and the people who keep the heart beating.

- Special invites to special events on site at Woodfordia. Super special.

- Bonus podcast content

- Early early bird access to Woodford Folk Festival tickets

- Early access to workshop bookings at Woodford Folk Festival

Visit: woodfordia.org/woodfordia/become-a-citizen

More information at www.woodfordia.org

For the festival: www.woodfordfolkfestival.com

For Harley: https://www.harleybreen.com.au/

Credits:

Host: Harley Breen

Producer: Benny Wallington

Executive Producers: Cameron Scurrah & Bree Hickson-Jameison

Audio mastering: Kieron Atkinson

Music by: The East Pointers

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