There are so many interesting people involved at Radio Blue Mountains both behind the mic and behind the scenes, that we thought we’d share their stories here on the RBM website. Sebastiaan deJonge presents Jazz at Lunch on Tuesday, and Global Sounds – Majikal Beats on Wednesday afternoon.
Hi Sebastiaan, thank you for taking part in this. Let’s get straight into it.
Q: Your surname suggests that you’re of Dutch origin. Tell us the deJonge family history in regards to the Netherlands and their first steps arriving in Australia?
A: I was born in Den Hague in the Netherlands. My parents emigrated to Australia in 1959 with my younger brother and myself. We grew up in Brisbane (another brother), then Campsie (a sister) and finally Riverwood.
Q: What was a typical Saturday afternoon for say, 15 or 16 year old Sebastiaan?
A: I was part of a large social group that met before school and on weekends. Beverley Hills Girls High School was just up the road from Narwee Boys High and every year there were joint musicals produced between the school. So I played in “O What a Lovely War”, “The Music Man”, “Oklahoma” and a bunch of Gilbert and Sullivan musicals. The group of both girls and boys used to party together and many of us have stayed in touch.
Q: Was there music shops to trawl, and arcade games to play, or were you a legend on the cricket oval?
A: Oh yes, music shops. I was part of the music nerd group at school so music shops were a great hang out. I was never a sports type, I still don’t really “get” sports. Making music with friends is much more fun.
Q: Did you follow the education system right through from primary school, to high school and on to University?
A: I left at the end of Sixth form with a HSC, a qualification in resentment. I rediscovered education later on but not in the formal sense. I’ve done lots of courses over the years. Acupuncture, Meditation, Gestalt, Statistics, Business Management, Food Safety and Public Health, Project Management etc. I’ve always been a curious reader, particularly history and science. You never learn less!
Q: So once you finished with all that, what happened next? Were you straight into the great working masses?
A: I put on a backpack and went travelling. I travelled and worked around Australia for the next 10 years. I came back to Sydney when I couldn’t get work and did pubs, tyre retreading, shelf stacking etc. I ended up in QC in a cardboard factory and then that is where my career took me. Up the corporate ladder in Quality Management over a few decades.
Q: I know you from the station but not a whole lot about your background. Tell us how you took the leap into owning your own Kwik Kopy, how many years you did that, and what made you decide to move on. Was it just time to retire?
A: A long story there. I was in the high powered corporate job in the food industry and the company I worked for got taken over by a Kiwi raider. So I was retrenched. I was by far the least Uni Qualified person at that level in the company so my prospects of landing another job at that level in the industry were very slim. So I took the leap.
I did the risk analysis and the lowest failure rate for self employment was a second hand franchise. We had young children at the time and failure was definitely not an option. I owned the business for 17 years. I retired because I was just over it and had achieved the goals I had set myself. This was straight after the lost years of COVID so I was glad to move on. Also my health was starting to become an issue.
Q: You host Global Sounds – Magical Beats and Jazz at Lunch on RBM. You’re possibly one of the most yeah mate, nah mate, Aussie blokes I know and yet, you have this total world view of every topic we ever discuss. Where does this interest in global music originate from?
A: Well, I’m an immigrant. My parents came from a land where the three B’s ruled. (Bach, Beethoven, Brahms, I knew you were going to ask). But my parents had a wide circle of friends. Hungarian, Indonesian, Dutch, German, Irish etc. So we were treated as kids to recordings from all over the world. There also was the Folk Revival in the 60/70’s. Dylan, The Seekers, Pete Seegar, Muddy Waters, Leadbelly etc.
I was plugged in from my record store adventures. Reggae, African, and Flamenco and even Ravi Shankar all had become available and of course there were hit records. My favourite shop at that time was Folkways in Paddington. I used to buy the records that were fundraisers for the IRA and Black Panthers. There was a lot of really neat stuff there.
Then there was this show on the radio hosted by Lucky Oceans called “The Daily Planet” Somehow I always managed to be in car with the radio on when it was on. There was also the Music Show on RN. Great inspiration, even today.
Q: And when did you get into making instruments?
A: I was deep in corporate life, 70 hour weeks and lots of corporate travel. Trust me, the glamour wears off really quickly. I needed to do something challenging but different. I was still playing recorder so I cooked up the idea of making one. After some expense and a bunch of wood turning courses. I decided the investment to tool up was to much and guitars were easier. That lead to an interest in Mandolins and Violin family instruments. I’ve made Ukeleles, Bass Ukes and different types of Banjos. I gave up on guitars because every dog and his onion makes them….
Q: Tell us please, what instruments you have made, and what you’re thinking of trying next?
A: I have made Whistles, Cajons, Frame Drums, Wind Chimes, I have a Celtic harp (22 string) planned and a snake charmers double barrelled Oboe. I’ve developed and obsession with various bagpipes. So lets see.
Q: Any languages other than Australian English in the Sebastiaan deJonge locker? Are you, like another Dutch Australian I know, fluent in Dutch?
A: Nope, but I can swear fluently. I have smatterings of Dutch, German, Italian and I’m currently attempting to learn some Vietnamese for an upcoming holiday. I think its just courteous to be able to have some basics.
Q: What about sports? Do you barrack for any particular team in the footy? (See how I’m trying to speak the lingo?)
A: Shorts?? Never heard of him, but I appreciate your use of the informal vernacular.
Q: Alright, I think that’s enough of the long answers. Let’s move into the quick fire section. Short sharp questions, with short, sharp responses please! Ready?
A: Ready.
Q: Favourite restaurant food?
A: Goji, on the Nepean River at Penrith
Q: Aussie Meat Pie or a Felafel?
A: Banh Mi
Q: Christmas Day Roast, or Christmas Day Barbie and salads?
A: Stir Fry
Q: Favourite Drink?
A: Coopers Sparkling Ale
Q: Boxing Day Test, or Sydney to Hobart?
A: Instrument practise, Violin or Pipes.
Q: Spicks ’n’ Specks or Rockwiz?
A: Community Radio
Q: Miles Davis or John Coltrane?
A: You bitch….
Q: Cold Chisel or INXS?
A: Kathryn Tickell (I cant stand sceaming)
Q: Homer Simpson or Peter Griffin?
A: Who?? Is that a television thing?
Q: A4 or A3?
A: A3, 110gsm
Q: WSW or Sydney FC?
A: Another trick question. Sports isnt it?
Q: Favourite night out today?
A: Dinner with my sweetie Kate and my kids
Q: Favourite night out in 1992?
A: The Top Pub in Penrith. It was a tough time.
Q: Favourite Night In today?
A: Gardening Australia, beers ‘n cheese. Just Kate and I
Q: Best gig you’ve ever been to?
A: Melbourne SKA Orchestra at Womadelaide, or… Windborne at the Nash.
Q: Last gig you were at?
A: Penrith Symphony Orchestra a few weeks ago
Q: Last Theatre Night Out?
A: Wharf Revue at the Joan last year.
Q: Favourite holiday destination?
A; Brampton Island
Finally, complete this sentence “If I won a million bucks tomorrow I would . . . .
Kill the kids mortgages. I know what I went through, They shouldn’t have to…”
Thanks again, Sebastiaan.
RL.