The National Folk Festival

Hi all,
 
Bridget & I spent Easter bashing about at the National Folk Festival in Canberra, and we had quite a weekend. Bridgey was invited to play with the National Celtic Fiddle Rally and I went along firstly as a punter and secondly to play sessions and catch up with lots of friends.
 
The weekend passed so quickly, but Bridge & I were lucky enough to play two chalkboard gigs. Can I just say that Bridge is a wonderful addition to this band? I was so proud of her. We are indebted to Davyyd McDonald and Mackenzie for backing us on guitar and bodhran. Davyyd did an admirable job considering both times our rehearsals went like this:
 
Bridget: ‘Mr Thompson’s, two reels, first in D major, second in F major, three times around each, I’ll call the changes’
Davyyd: ‘Yep’
Bridget: ‘Slow song, jig in G minor. Follow Sarah’
Davyyd: ‘Yep’
Bridget: ‘Acapella song, Sarah sings, then we sing with her’
Davyyd: ‘Yep’
Baidget: ‘Triple A set, all in A, starting with a jig then two reels, fast’
Davydd: ‘Yep’
 
And off he went!  Poor Mackenzie, he was literally dragged up by Bridget in the second chalkboard gig to back the Gravel Walk tunes on bodhran. All I got to say to him was, ‘One, two, three, go!’ Spontaneous chalkboards are so much fun. Cheers lads, job well done.
 
Eddi Reader was headlining this festival. She is absolutely nutty and completely adorable. Her vocals on My Love is like a Red Red Rose was just spine-tingling. Actually, the entire performance sucked me in and left me breathless. Due to popular demand, she also played her most well-known song ‘Perfect’ – and was better live than the recording! Definitely one to see when she tours.
 
I had the most brilliant moment meeting Irish singer-songwriter Eleanor McEvoy. She’s the type of person who is cool without having to even try. What an amazing performer. From guitar to bodhran to fiddle; I’m not kidding, Eleanor plays everything and has such a dry sarcastic sense of humour – that’s my kind of woman! I bought her album Out There and asked her to sign it and she then asked if I was a musician? I replied yes, I’m in a band, but we’re not playing at the Nationals, I’m here to enjoy the music. So then she asked me if I had a CD (which I did – always carry one, you never know who you’ll bump into!), and I gave her a copy, which she ordered me to sign, and then swapped our Sunas CD for her latest album Love Must Be Tough. Instant fan here.

 
I have a crush on Pascal from Quebec folk group Genticorum – who wouldn’t when he speaks French and sings so beautifully? Oh, he also plays fiddle and uses his feet as percussion while singing. Disgustingly talented. Bridgey has stars in her eyes after spending a mammoth 7 hour session learning fiddle tunes from him – you go girl!
 
The rest of the time Bridgey & I were girl bonding, ie, drinking cider (terriblyterribly important!), watching performances, spending far too much money (as was in my case) or just hanging out at Mike & Beth’s Celtic stall (the coolest one, I might add), sometimes doing all four things at the same time. It was mental and we had a blast.
 
Nationals aside, home grown news here: We have some gigs coming up starting in mid April on the 12th at the Meadowbrook Hotel, but I’m waiting on a few more to trickle in before that, so check out the Gigs page over the next few weeks. Hope you all had an amazing Easter and stayed safe on the roads. We look forward to catching up with everyone at our next gig.

Bridget's Fleadh Ceol Tale

Thursday
 
I’ve finally managed to close my suitcase (not an easy task with a very awkward shaped fiddle stand taking up much room) and I’m waiting for Sarah to finish work and pick me up. I’m listening to Dougie McLean, my Christmas present from Helen (who we’ll be seeing in a few hours). I can’t wait. I’m nervous about a few things – our live to air session in the morning on ABC radio, meeting Rabbit (Helen’s husband who I’ve heard many interesting stories about – but no idea why he’s called Rabbit) and, the possibility of Mannie and Rabbit running around naked (apparently this is quite a regular occurrence –something in the Tasmanian air I think). But despite all that, I’m starting to get excited. Hopefully I haven’t forgotten anything essential. I have my fiddle and my boots… what else would a girl possibly need :)
 
Friday
 
We woke up at Stanton, Helen and Rabbit’s beautiful home and B & B. We only had time for a quick cup of tea and a flying stop in at Passions café before heading off to ABC radio for a live spot. Apparently Sunas was made famous last radio appearance by Sarah being the second person to ever say ‘arse’ on the ABC (second to Kate Miller-Heidke I might add – one of our idols!). This time the language remained kiddy-friendly and we managed to go for a full 30 minutes without saying anything too stupid… Well except for my declaration again classical music, which wouldn’t have been so bad if the person interviewing me wasn’t Christopher Lawrence! Oops. He took it well, and was seen later that night enjoying some of our non-classical music at the New Sydney. Helen was ever helpful, holding up a ‘classic ABC’ sticker to point out my mistake – thanks Helen!
 
From there we headed off to Jackman and McRoss for lunch which the others had been raving about since I joined the band. I wasn’t disappointed! We finally arrived at the New Sydney, picked up our room keys and lugged all our stuff up the many stairs (which will later prove to be a problem for one band member in particular….)
 
With no rest for the wicked, we went straight down to the bar for a quick cider and session, where I was surprised by my good friend Beth, as well as meeting some of the long time Sunas friends, The To Rags and Brian Owens. One cider turned into another and before we knew it, it was time for our 11pm gig.
 
Now here I would like to point out that Sarah and I were sharing a room at the hotel, and before we went to bed, Sarah warned me that she occasionally mumbles in her sleep. I didn’t think anything of it until about 3am when I very distinctly heard from the top bunk “Go team, we can do it! We’re nearly there”. Go team Sarah!!!
 
Saturday
 
Saturday morning we awoke nice and early to head off to the markets for a bit of busking. On our way, we decided to stop for a bite to eat – bad move! Sarah described the coffee as ‘arse in a cup’, Mannie was fairly sure that he was given a used tea bag, and the toast was a charred black piece of cardboard with something vaguely resembling egg on top. Paul was nearly crying at this point, having missed his morning coffee, so he followed his nose off to Starbucks.
 
The story of our busking became quite well known throughout Tasmania, and I’m sure the others will describe it in their own blogs, but lets just say there’s a very unhappy unicyclist somewhere in Hobart now. Sorry!!! We just wanted our 20min spot to make our $17.
 
The rest of the day was spent eating, shopping and drinking before our gig at 9.30 that night. I had a great gig and enjoyed a few quiet ale’s afterwards with Sarah. Despite what others may tell you, we were very ladylike, remained coherent for the remainder of the night and even managed a few tunes.  Well… that was me at least. Sarah on the other hand become very good friends with everyone in the pub, was carried upstairs and proceeded to collapse on the couch before informing us she was just going to head back down for another drink with Mick before bed. To her credit, she managed to get herself onto the top bunk and wasn’t even all that seedy the next day!
 
Sunday
 
Sunday started with a late greasy breakfast at Harbour Lights, with a very-friendly-but-slightly-too-happy waitress. The afternoon concert was very relaxed and we took the opportunity to try some of the more mellow songs and tunes. Sarah got everyone singing The Yorkshire Couple (I may be making up the name of that song – but whatever it was I really enjoyed it and was thrilled to see the entire audience participating!).

 
We then had to say our farewells before heading off for a final night back at Stanton, where we sat and looked at the millions of stars (I swear there’s not that many in Brisbane!!).
 
Overall, I had an amazing time and everyone involved in the Fleadh Ceol should be really happy with how everything went. The organisers, MC’s, musicians, hotel and bar staff, sound guys and audience were all fantastic and I can’t wait for my next Tassie trip.

The Late Night Sunas Show....

Bridget's late night cabaret was a hit with the locals...

The Fleadh

 
Well. Once again Súnas journeyed south to Hobart where we were fortunate enough to headline the annual Fleadh Ceol (literally translating to Festival of Musics). There was no mammoth packing ritual performed the night before, we all took separate bags (Mannie took one filled entirely with socks’n’jocks – I think he’s terrified of another muddy Woodford episode), so check-in was relatively smooth. Once again, I got the mickey taken out of me when I took off my giant Tomb Raider boots to go through security checks (the guy behind the screen made the comment that I wouldn’t want to fall off a boat with them on as I’d definitely drown). Once on the plane Paul moisturised, Bridget started taking the piss, I slept and Mannie glued his face to the window (it’s amazing – if he could stick his head out he would).
 
We all made it to Hobart safely after an event-filled stopover in Sydney consisting of stealth farting, Fat Maccas with a side order of deep fried fat and Mannie chucking a tantrum because Bridget & I had the nerve to be distracted from his edge-of-your-seat puppy story by a man who looked like a walking latte – we kid you not! Thanks to Helen we had the pleasure of staying at the wonderful Stanton B & B for the night (those beds are just too damn comfy) before venturing out to the ABC studios in Hobart for a live-to-air broadcast. You will all be happy to know I didn’t say ‘arse’! We had a great time, huge thanks to Tim Cox for having us back, and especially to Dave the Sound Man for making us sound decent.
 
Our first gig at the Fleadh was at 11pm to a packed house. There was literally standing room only; it was brilliant. We caught up with old friends including Brian the Flute, Tom & Jeremy from the To’rags and Mick Flanagan. Not surprisingly, Bridget knew everyone! We were introduced to the lovely and incredibly talented fiddler and guitarist Ken Maher, who was staying at the New Sydney hotel with us – he was a frequent visitor to our rooms (I think the constant laughing drew him in, it was like camping). The insult of the tour unanimously belongs to Mannie, who told a whinging Paul to ‘stop being so precious and go back to your bubble’. Helen and I laughed so hard we had to be picked up off the floor!
 
Saturday morning proved bright and sunny (and HOT - 28⁰!), and we decided to busk at the Salamanca markets. Well. Not only did we busk, but we managed to (unintentionally) piss off the majority of the buskers and start a turf war down there – it’s on, people. We’re watching our backs for Octopus and particularly Unicycle Man, who was kicked out to another spot and will probably take his revenge on Mannie. We made $16.75 in change and sold quite a few albums (thanks Helen!). Meanwhile, Mick Flanagan busked in the Hobart Mall and made $70! See, ya gotta get cosy with the locals. Somehow I doubt we’ll busk at Salamanca anytime soon.
 
Our gig on Saturday night was once again packed to the rafters. Although it was a powerhouse performance, I felt quite ill during this gig, it was hot as all arse. I blame my Medusa hair. Our Salamanca busking turf war story got back to people before we’d even returned from the markets, and we received a lot of ribbing from Mick! We performed Mick’s song ‘Dicky Goodchild’ and I must admit, watching him watch us perform it gave me quite a few heart palpitations! I had the most wonderful night after we had performed. Mick and I played together in a session until the wee hours (try 3am). Who was more pissed between us remains to be seen. I thought it was me, but Mick kept calling me Susan, and Bridget Mary. I had to be lugged up the stairs by Bridget & Helen, but I made it up to the top bunk where I was sleeping. Helen was sleeping on the bottom and was very scared, but my anti-ralphing policy remains intact, go me! Mannie was certain I’d cash in.
 
We had a lovely afternoon gig on Sunday. The highlight of the tour for me was when we began our last gig with Caledonia and the entire pub sang along with me. It was a real goose bump moment! What a great audience. I was thrilled to catch up with To’rag Tom’s daughter Lindsay and Moira & the guys from Dadeio and the Blue Mosquitoes, who gave us a copy of their demo to listen to (my review will be posted here shortly). We made some great new friends and had the pleasure of catching up with old ones. Sunas would like to send out huge thanks to Peter & Mary Grubb for inviting us down to the Fleadh, and Tom, Claire and Brian for emceeing each day (you guys did a great job!). Thanks also to Dot & Roy for their constant support, but particularly to our beautiful 5th member Helen, without whom we would never have come down here in the first place.
 
This is Sairey signing off to sleep.