Musician, singer-songwriter, author, composer – Dave Graney wears many hats. Since 1978, he and his collaborator and partner, Clare Moore, have fronted bands including the Moodists, Dave Graney ’n’ the Coral Snakes and the Dave Graney Show. But Graney’s no stranger to the world of non-creative employment – he’s worked everywhere from a Mount Gambier timber mill to London’s historic Lincoln’s Inn, all while writing, performing, recording and touring music in the UK and Australia. In this conversation, which has been lightly edited and condensed for clarity, he talks to 4ZZZ’s Ian Powne about his working life as a self-described ‘failed bludger’.

IAN POWNE: Dave, you released your memoir Workshy in 2017, which details the many jobs you’ve done over four decades of performing music. You’ve obviously reflected a lot on this subject – what motivated you to write a book about it?