With hits like the ubiquitous “Down Under,” “Who Can It Be Now,” “Be Good Johnny” and “Overkill,” Colin Hay has amassed an arsenal of radio hits and fan favorites. But it was during the recent lockdown when touring was impossible that Hay found himself alone in his studio with nothing to do. It was during this time that he decided to revisit some of the songs that impacted his life as a young fellow. Thus was born Hay’s appropriately titled covers album, “I Just Don’t Know What To Do With Myself.”

The album features Hay’s take songs like “Don’t Let The Sun Catch You Crying” (Gerry and the Pacemakers), “Ooh La La” (Faces), “Can’t Find My Way Home” (Blind Faith), “Wichita Lineman” (Glen Campbell), as well as the title track, originally performed by Dusty Springfield.

Now that he’s back on the road, fans of Hay’s work as a solo artist and with Men At Work will have the opportunity to hear these songs and more when the Colin Hay Band performs at Musikfest’s Wind Creek Steel Stage 7 p.m. August 11.

Speaking of Men At Work, this year marks the 40th anniversary of the Australian band’s monumental debut, “Business As Usual.” The album spent weeks at #1 on the Billboard album chart and earned Hay and his mates a Grammy for Best New Artist.

In addition to his “I Just Don’t Know What To Do With Myself” album and tour highlighting it, Hay is also finishing work on a new collection of original songs that will be released sometime in the new year.

I recently spoke with Colin Hay about his upcoming Musikfest performance, his new album and more:

James Wood for The Morning Call: What can fans expect from your upcoming Musikfest performance?

Hay: “They can expect to be entertained. I’m going to play a mix of songs from my new covers record as well as some new material people haven’t heard before. I’ll also do some old Men At Work songs and songs off the solo records. It’s going to be a long set so people coming should prepare to settle in for a while.”

What inspired your new covers album, “I Just Don’t Know What To Do With Myself”?

“I had already finished recording an album of new songs that will be released early in the new year and wasn’t sure if I was going to be able to go out on the road. Gerry Marsden (Gerry And The Pacemakers) had recently died and I was playing ‘Don’t Let The Sun Catch You Crying’ in my studio. I decided to record it and sent it to my friend and producer, Chad Fischer. He orchestrated it and sent it back and said, ‘Ok, send me another.’ So, I just kept going until we had 10. These are songs I loved growing up and formed me or inspired me in some way. I love the choices and the way they hang together. I really love the way it turned out.”

Read the rest of my

Interview with Colin Hay by Clicking Here.