Ok so here’s my side of the story… as far as I remember.
Sair and I had just come back from the National Folk Festival and were starting to think about when to have the launch. My friends George and Davydd had suggested that we do a joint event, as they had just recorded their first album also. After seeing them perform at the National, Sair and I were set on the idea of a double launch (seriously – these guys are amazing!) and were ready to discuss our options. We had a list of venues to consider and were throwing around a few different ideas when George announced that he was leaving on a 7 week tour with his family band, before leaving for America. This meant that to do a double launch, we had 1 available date, and it was in 2 weeks time.
From my knowledge of the function world, I figured that most places would simply laugh at us for suggesting that this type of even could be pulled together in under 2 weeks. But the Jubilee Hotel came to our rescue, and through many many emails, lists and ‘teacher moments’, I managed to squeeze some preferences out of the other 5 and convey what we wanted (quite specifically) to the Jube.
This would have all been fine… until the day before the launch. I woke up feeling ok. Had some breakfast, went for a walk… and had a bit of a pain in the stomach. Within an hour, I couldn’t move and off we went to the GP. He barely looked at me before sending me off to the hospital and another hour later I was in surgery. Of course I took it all very well…. Or maybe not… My poor family had to deal with a very distressed daughter going through lists and details just in case I wasn’t able to make it to the launch. My surgeon was extremely supportive (Thanks Dr Adib!!) and said that he would put it on my chart to have me discharged in time for the launch. (Mind you at this stage he thought I was just attending, not playing). The nurses however, thought I was totally insane for attempting to go out, let alone play in a concert less than 24 hours after surgery….
Anyway, as you all know, I made it. Very tired and sore, loaded with painkillers and possibly still a little sedated, I made it to the launch about 15mins before the doors opened. From here, I remember very little. I know that there were a lot of people there (thank you and I’m sorry if I was a little vague), there was food and drink involved (which I was not allowed any of), and there was music (some of which apparently came from me!). Mannie followed me around making sure that I was sitting down and not doing anything too stupid, Sarah was equally concerned stopping me from lifting things, and Paul… sent me a tray of mini-appendix-looking sausage things and told me that I could be easily replaced! (Feel the love)
Ok, well that’s the end of my launch experience. I am now almost fully recovered and will be back to gigging this weekend at Fiddler’s Green. Thanks to everyone for looking out for me at the launch, and I hope you all had a great time. I think the others have thanked just about everyone else, so I’ll just echo what they said and leave you there until next time…
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
A CD Launch of Sorts...
Well it’s been an absolutely mental few weeks for Sunas. Paul came down with the Black Lung (*cough cough*) and I developed laryngitis and promptly lost my voice completely! It was the first time in a while the boys could get a word in! Meanwhile throughout this Bridget was busy organising the launch for everyone as we were all out of action. We were on track for what promised to be a stellar although hastily arranged double CD launch with George Jackson and Davydd McDonald. My voice came back on the Friday beforehand, so Bridgey and I got together and learnt a few tunes to play with George & Davydd as a finale. We were joking that it was her turn to get sick, and she faithfully promised that would get sick on Monday – AFTER the launch.
Saturday midday. My mobile rings, it’s Bridget. I answer, but it’s not Bridget, it’s her father John telling me Bridget was on her way to hospital with appendicitis. I felt my stomach turn to ice, and after 15 ‘Oh my God’ proclamations, I let the boys know we would be playing Meadowbrook sans our beloved fiddler! The launch was still going ahead. Saturday, 2pm. Bridget’s mother Paula called me to tell me that Bridgey was in emergency surgery having her appendix out. The surgeons said she should be able to make the launch, weren’t sure if she would be able to play, but were forbidding her to sing. They also wanted a copy of the album! Paula was utterly wonderful, and before saying goodbye, forbid me to panic. OH MY GOD, WHO’S PANICKING???
Cue 4pm. I’m in the van travelling with Mannie to Meadowbrook discussing Bridgey and hoping she’ll be ok for the launch. My mobile rings again. It’s none other than Bridget herself – straight out of surgery, may I add! Mannie was so excited he nearly drove us into a ditch. She was calling to let me know that she wouldn’t be gigging that night, but would do her damndest to be at the launch the next day. Meanwhile, she was sending the wonderful Georgia to come and help us out ‘with a list of a few things to do’. Ok then! Fortunately we managed to secure my sister Hayley (with an hour’s notice) to gig that night, it was wonderful to sing with her again!
Sunday dawned bright and early. We arrived at the Jubilee Hotel and got stuck into setting up. Georgia arrived shortly after and handed me the clipboard. ‘A few things to do’ turned out to be an entire A4 page filled with things to confirm, do and check off! Well Georgia and Davydd turned out to be my right hand people. Big thanks to you legends! They kept me sane by helping getting things accomplished while the boys sound checked (Mannie: ‘One, two, buckle my shoe!)and did secret men’s stuff (Paul holding the mic and slapping Mannie on the top of his head so it came out through the speakers. Mannie: ‘Ow, my head!). George’s family were also invaluable helping us setting up – thanks guys. I kept a stressed wary eye on the clock, and by some miracle we all managed to be ready by 2:30pm.
Not only did Bridget manage to turn up (held together by stiches and Panadol), she also looked absolutely stunning AND managed to play fiddle! I asked her if she would be ok to play tunes and she brushed me off, giving me this ‘I’m fine, my arms are a long way from my appendix’ look. She lasted the entire launch, what a trooper! (although I have it on good authority that by the end of the night the Panadol was replaced by Nurofen with healthy slugs of whisky). The launch was packed to the rafters – thank you to everyone who came along and supported us! We had the most incredible time. I am especially proud of my sister Hayley, who once again came through with the goods (and vocal talent), literally driving straight from work to the launch and running on stage as we were about to start. I was so thrilled to have her there! Huge Sunas thanks to Georgia the Door Minion, Ben & Kristie the CD Minions, and Paula & John AKA Bridget’s Minions. It was a privilege to play alongside George & Davydd for our big finale tuneset – these boys are incredibly talented. I was so elated I wanted to play it all over again!
To all of our family and friends, well-wishers, minions, groupies and stalkers (please circle one): We couldn’t have done this without you. You guys rock!
This is Sairey, signing off with freshly diagnosed glandular fever. Seriously! According to my doctor, I’m nearly over it (apparently). I’ll get through it. We’ve started calling it ‘Doing a Bridgey’.
Listening to "The Scientist' by Martha Tilston
Saturday midday. My mobile rings, it’s Bridget. I answer, but it’s not Bridget, it’s her father John telling me Bridget was on her way to hospital with appendicitis. I felt my stomach turn to ice, and after 15 ‘Oh my God’ proclamations, I let the boys know we would be playing Meadowbrook sans our beloved fiddler! The launch was still going ahead. Saturday, 2pm. Bridget’s mother Paula called me to tell me that Bridgey was in emergency surgery having her appendix out. The surgeons said she should be able to make the launch, weren’t sure if she would be able to play, but were forbidding her to sing. They also wanted a copy of the album! Paula was utterly wonderful, and before saying goodbye, forbid me to panic. OH MY GOD, WHO’S PANICKING???
Cue 4pm. I’m in the van travelling with Mannie to Meadowbrook discussing Bridgey and hoping she’ll be ok for the launch. My mobile rings again. It’s none other than Bridget herself – straight out of surgery, may I add! Mannie was so excited he nearly drove us into a ditch. She was calling to let me know that she wouldn’t be gigging that night, but would do her damndest to be at the launch the next day. Meanwhile, she was sending the wonderful Georgia to come and help us out ‘with a list of a few things to do’. Ok then! Fortunately we managed to secure my sister Hayley (with an hour’s notice) to gig that night, it was wonderful to sing with her again!
Sunday dawned bright and early. We arrived at the Jubilee Hotel and got stuck into setting up. Georgia arrived shortly after and handed me the clipboard. ‘A few things to do’ turned out to be an entire A4 page filled with things to confirm, do and check off! Well Georgia and Davydd turned out to be my right hand people. Big thanks to you legends! They kept me sane by helping getting things accomplished while the boys sound checked (Mannie: ‘One, two, buckle my shoe!)and did secret men’s stuff (Paul holding the mic and slapping Mannie on the top of his head so it came out through the speakers. Mannie: ‘Ow, my head!). George’s family were also invaluable helping us setting up – thanks guys. I kept a stressed wary eye on the clock, and by some miracle we all managed to be ready by 2:30pm.
Not only did Bridget manage to turn up (held together by stiches and Panadol), she also looked absolutely stunning AND managed to play fiddle! I asked her if she would be ok to play tunes and she brushed me off, giving me this ‘I’m fine, my arms are a long way from my appendix’ look. She lasted the entire launch, what a trooper! (although I have it on good authority that by the end of the night the Panadol was replaced by Nurofen with healthy slugs of whisky). The launch was packed to the rafters – thank you to everyone who came along and supported us! We had the most incredible time. I am especially proud of my sister Hayley, who once again came through with the goods (and vocal talent), literally driving straight from work to the launch and running on stage as we were about to start. I was so thrilled to have her there! Huge Sunas thanks to Georgia the Door Minion, Ben & Kristie the CD Minions, and Paula & John AKA Bridget’s Minions. It was a privilege to play alongside George & Davydd for our big finale tuneset – these boys are incredibly talented. I was so elated I wanted to play it all over again!
To all of our family and friends, well-wishers, minions, groupies and stalkers (please circle one): We couldn’t have done this without you. You guys rock!
This is Sairey, signing off with freshly diagnosed glandular fever. Seriously! According to my doctor, I’m nearly over it (apparently). I’ll get through it. We’ve started calling it ‘Doing a Bridgey’.
Listening to "The Scientist' by Martha Tilston
Monday, April 21, 2008
Bridget the Mighty
So, the cd launch that very nearly didn’t happen.
To start off, I need to backpedal just a little bit, about ten days or so. Basically, I got a bit sick. Pharyngitis and sinusitis. Nothing too deathly, but the night before I was due to go to the doctor I had my first asthma attack for nearly 14 years. So, that knocked me out for the time leading up to the launch. Then a few days later, Sarah was struck down with serious Laryngitis, so much so that she lost her voice entirely. Exactly one week away. We weren’t panicking. There was still a enough time to get better.
But then came the phone call. A few hours out from our regular Saturday gig, the night before the launch, we found out the Bridget had been rushed to hospital with suspected appendicitis. Yes, we were the band of 'itises' (except for Mannie who is immune to everything except chicken). We decided to carry on as normal, after all, what could we do? Everything was arranged, paid-for, invites had been sent out, interviews given, reviews and publicity received, then there was George & Davydd, our partners in crime to think of.
But we were about to find out what our fiddle player was made of.
The first clue about Bridge’s chutzpah came when we got a call on the way to the Saturday night gig. It was Herself, just ringing to confirm it had indeed been appendicitis, the 'stand-back-it's-about-to-blow' kind and that oh, she’d just got out of surgery and was fully intending on being there tomorrow. Well, we were astonished, to say the least, even just to hear from her. Before she succumbed to the painkillers, she’s written out lists and given Georgia, her sister, specific instructions for each of us ( “…Mannie: DON’T PANIC! BREATHE...").
Well we still convinced she wouldn’t be able to make it, after all, she’d spent the night in hospital and wasn’t due to be discharged, sedated, until a few hours before the gig.
Not only did she show up, but Bridget played the entire gig, and with the exception of a couple of songs where she didn’t sing (and here I have to say thanks to Hayley, not only for stepping in at the last moment –she literally ran in just as we were about to start- but also because her being there was just so great, as she sings on the album too). It was an amazing night, and we were truly humbled by the turnout (we honestly had no idea people would be standing five-deep at the entrances. It was said by no small number of people that perhaps we should have booked Customs House or City Hall -next time!) and I'm sure one of the others will blog about everything in more detail later. Just finally, I'd like to say thanks to Davydd, George and Beth for being musically brilliant, Georgia for holding down the door and Ben, for stepping in to be the storekeeper at no notice, and of course, everyone who came. Thanks All!
To start off, I need to backpedal just a little bit, about ten days or so. Basically, I got a bit sick. Pharyngitis and sinusitis. Nothing too deathly, but the night before I was due to go to the doctor I had my first asthma attack for nearly 14 years. So, that knocked me out for the time leading up to the launch. Then a few days later, Sarah was struck down with serious Laryngitis, so much so that she lost her voice entirely. Exactly one week away. We weren’t panicking. There was still a enough time to get better.
But then came the phone call. A few hours out from our regular Saturday gig, the night before the launch, we found out the Bridget had been rushed to hospital with suspected appendicitis. Yes, we were the band of 'itises' (except for Mannie who is immune to everything except chicken). We decided to carry on as normal, after all, what could we do? Everything was arranged, paid-for, invites had been sent out, interviews given, reviews and publicity received, then there was George & Davydd, our partners in crime to think of.
But we were about to find out what our fiddle player was made of.
The first clue about Bridge’s chutzpah came when we got a call on the way to the Saturday night gig. It was Herself, just ringing to confirm it had indeed been appendicitis, the 'stand-back-it's-about-to-blow' kind and that oh, she’d just got out of surgery and was fully intending on being there tomorrow. Well, we were astonished, to say the least, even just to hear from her. Before she succumbed to the painkillers, she’s written out lists and given Georgia, her sister, specific instructions for each of us ( “…Mannie: DON’T PANIC! BREATHE...").
Well we still convinced she wouldn’t be able to make it, after all, she’d spent the night in hospital and wasn’t due to be discharged, sedated, until a few hours before the gig.
Not only did she show up, but Bridget played the entire gig, and with the exception of a couple of songs where she didn’t sing (and here I have to say thanks to Hayley, not only for stepping in at the last moment –she literally ran in just as we were about to start- but also because her being there was just so great, as she sings on the album too). It was an amazing night, and we were truly humbled by the turnout (we honestly had no idea people would be standing five-deep at the entrances. It was said by no small number of people that perhaps we should have booked Customs House or City Hall -next time!) and I'm sure one of the others will blog about everything in more detail later. Just finally, I'd like to say thanks to Davydd, George and Beth for being musically brilliant, Georgia for holding down the door and Ben, for stepping in to be the storekeeper at no notice, and of course, everyone who came. Thanks All!
Listening to: "Mirror Sea" by DeepSpace
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