Born in 1958 in Melbourne - where he lived intermittently until relocating to the UK in 1992 - on leaving high school Schütze spent time playing percussion and electronics - again, truly his passion until this day - in all kinds, and any number, of live jazz, improv and experimental settings. But probably the biggest influence on his future work at this time was his decision in 1979 to go travelling, initially in Australia's near-East and then on through India, North Africa and the Mediterranean, eventually winding up in London, where he saw a host of his musical heroes perform live.