Sarah Konoski

Why was your mum so important over the years of your touring?

How did she help keep you going on those tours?

And she used to write to you on tour?

Were you aware when you were growing up that she was struggling with depression?

What did it mean for her relationship with your dad?

So did that mean he was harsh with your mum or judgmental about her illness?

Did you and your mum talk openly about that struggle with mental health?

What was her funeral like, Rob?

No!

We started, Rob, by you talking about walking around Sydney and the powerful owls you see there.

Are there other parts of the bush that are important to you now?

I might change my name to John so I can come along.

Rob Hurst, thanks so much for being my guest on Conversations.

Rob Hurst's latest EP is called Powerful Owls.

All the details on our website, abc.net.au slash conversations.

I'm Sarah Konoski.

Thanks for listening.

Justin Hazelwood grew up in Burnie, on the northwest coast of Tasmania.

For years, he imagined Burnie as somewhere he had to leave, especially if he was going to be any kind of artist.

And there were other, more personal reasons that made staying in Burnie complicated.