MANY Myrtleford residents joke that you need to live 20 years there to be called 'a local', so musician Rudi Katterl, who moved to the town just over a year ago, has a long way to go.
However, he has quickly become an integral beat in the town's musical heart through teaching, gigging and helping organise many local performances.
Over the next month Mr Katterl will be playing at the Piazza with two of his long–term outfits – JD and the Kat on March 10, and The Stents on April 7 – in an extension of Myrtleford's popular Summer Series.
In JD and the Kat he will be performing with well–known local musician Joe Davis, while in The Stents he works with Keith Haggerty to perform contemporary covers.
"I'm always open to having different bands, different lineups," he said.
"If you don't want to travel too far, there's a fair bit of work in the North East as far as music, you just have different bands and play the same venues."
However, his most recent projects have been renovating the home he lives in near the centre of Myrtleford, and starting a music shop on Standish Street, both of which are nearly complete, giving him time to think on more creative pursuits.
"I can chill a little bit and start thinking creatively instead of 'what color am I going to paint the walls'?" he said.
Mr Katterl moved to the North East around 30 years ago, setting up a studio in Wandiligong by restoring an old miner's cottage.
"That was a huge job," he said.
But it ultimately proved fruitful, with the studio the site for recording his own albums and works with local artists, including Terry Lockwood, as well as drummer/percussionist Nicky Bomba.
"I prefer the studio than going out gigging sometimes because I like the creative aspect," he said.
And while Mr Katterl isn't yet a local, he's planning to become one.
"This is my last house – I'm staying here," he said.
"There's has a real sense of community here."
JD and the Cat will be performing at the Myrtleford Piazza from 5–8pm this Friday, and with The Stents on April 7 from 5–8pm.
