Sarah's first solo project, 'As Night Falls' is now available from within our own Store. Sunas played on three tracks, along with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra (that was fun!), Shane Nicholson, Irish accordion maestro Alan Kelly and the legendary Mike Scott from the Waterboys.
It's a gorgeous mix of traditional, contemporary, orchestra, electronica and Sunas, and debuted at number 16 in the charts!
Don't forget to select the correct destination (Australia/Rest of the World)
Monday, December 12, 2011
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Celtic Road Now Available in our Store
Our latest album, Celtic Road, is now available from within our own Store. It includes the bonus DVD Live in Concert.
Don't forget to select the correct destination (Australia/Rest of the World)
Don't forget to select the correct destination (Australia/Rest of the World)
Friday, September 23, 2011
Mannie's Neurum Creek Festival
Where to start… It was a gorgeous morning as I made my way to the scenic camping spot, which is Neurum Creek. I had missed two of the three amazing days of music and mischief and was anxious to see as much of the day’s program as I could. My iPod loaded with music from most of the artists performing at the festival, I happily made my way through Woodford and on to Neurum. It was great to see my fellow bandies and their families, hugs from all and then the essentials, Cider, yes Cider! After being regaled of the previous days of activities, I quickly settled into what can only be described as a brilliant day! It was lovely to see so many friends, all in one spot and with the backdrop of lush hills and the haunting melodies of the fiddle and guitar of Emma Nixon and Tony Vandermeer, I knew the day was off to a cracking start! Beautiful harmonies of gospel singers and the amazing cloudstreet, were only slightly contested by the laughter of children, as they played close by.
I was very excited about the Poachers playing later that afternoon and was planning on capturing some of their magic on film,
“Hey Spielberg, do you want a coffee”?
“Only if you’re making it, Paul”.
So he started to boil the water, as he enlightened the nearby kids on the dangers of playing around a hot stove. Then as if he had never mentioned the dangers of boiling water, Paul started dancing around the stove. For a few seconds I thought Paul was doing a Chuck Berry routine, as he held one leg up in the air and slapped it, as if he was strumming a guitar. Wow! Supper and a show! Then came the realisation that the tortured look on Paul’s face wasn’t Paul trying to belt out a tune, but the scream of pain. Damn, I was starting to get into it! My God, it wasn’t looking good, Paul’s days of performing Swan Lake with the Russian Ballet where over. Being the only one at the scene, I had to help!” I don’t know if we can save it Paul” I don’t think he saw the funny side of this! So I got ice and cold water, and then drank it in a shady spot. No you all know me better than that, I had alcohol instead of water, No really I helped him! At that point Sarah turned up and quickly set off to find our friend Bob who is not only a great guy, but was a First Aid person. I have to say that, Paul did really well to contain his emotions, as his leg blistered like a strip of bacon on a hot grill! Before you could say, anyone want eggs with that, Bob had arrived and sprung into action, patching Paul’s Leg and saving his career in the world of interpretive dance! “Damn you”, I say Bob.
So first came the, “Could I have a water please, Mannie” then it was “can you help me to my chair” then it was “ do you think you could make me a coffee and fluff my pillows” to “I want a jet and a house on the edge of a lake with a room full of guitars and an iPad 2”. Only joking, in all fairness to Paul, he really did soldier on, as we had to perform within half an hour of Paul scolding himself. He got on stage and played his little heart out. You rock, Paul.
I did get to video one or two of the amazing Poachers set. Thanks again to everyone who hung around to hear us play. Once again thanks to Angela Don and Keith for inviting us, and to everyone who helped make it a fantastic weekend!
Take care.
Mannie.
I was very excited about the Poachers playing later that afternoon and was planning on capturing some of their magic on film,
“Hey Spielberg, do you want a coffee”?
“Only if you’re making it, Paul”.
So he started to boil the water, as he enlightened the nearby kids on the dangers of playing around a hot stove. Then as if he had never mentioned the dangers of boiling water, Paul started dancing around the stove. For a few seconds I thought Paul was doing a Chuck Berry routine, as he held one leg up in the air and slapped it, as if he was strumming a guitar. Wow! Supper and a show! Then came the realisation that the tortured look on Paul’s face wasn’t Paul trying to belt out a tune, but the scream of pain. Damn, I was starting to get into it! My God, it wasn’t looking good, Paul’s days of performing Swan Lake with the Russian Ballet where over. Being the only one at the scene, I had to help!” I don’t know if we can save it Paul” I don’t think he saw the funny side of this! So I got ice and cold water, and then drank it in a shady spot. No you all know me better than that, I had alcohol instead of water, No really I helped him! At that point Sarah turned up and quickly set off to find our friend Bob who is not only a great guy, but was a First Aid person. I have to say that, Paul did really well to contain his emotions, as his leg blistered like a strip of bacon on a hot grill! Before you could say, anyone want eggs with that, Bob had arrived and sprung into action, patching Paul’s Leg and saving his career in the world of interpretive dance! “Damn you”, I say Bob.
So first came the, “Could I have a water please, Mannie” then it was “can you help me to my chair” then it was “ do you think you could make me a coffee and fluff my pillows” to “I want a jet and a house on the edge of a lake with a room full of guitars and an iPad 2”. Only joking, in all fairness to Paul, he really did soldier on, as we had to perform within half an hour of Paul scolding himself. He got on stage and played his little heart out. You rock, Paul.
I did get to video one or two of the amazing Poachers set. Thanks again to everyone who hung around to hear us play. Once again thanks to Angela Don and Keith for inviting us, and to everyone who helped make it a fantastic weekend!
Take care.
Mannie.
Monday, September 12, 2011
A Long-Overdue Update
Sorry.
It's been far too long since we've actually blogged about anything. In our defence, we have been terribly busy (and a lot of our day-to-day communication takes place of Facebook most of the time -it's just quicker and far more immediate). But I thought I'd take a moment to post a little something.
Firstly, I have to say thank you. A big, fat, jelly-wobbly thank you to everyone who bought the last cd. It's taken us all quite by surprise. Celtic Road made the top 10 list for ABC Classics & Jazz bestsellers of the year, which for an unknown folk band from Brisbane is pretty cool. The DVD (made by our amazing friends over a NoSuchStudioCollective) is still on rotation on cable TV over 6 months after it was released.
And we're going to do it all again in a couple of months. We're flying down to Sydney to record another album with the ABC in January. It's shaping up to be a busy end of the year for us. As some of you may know, Sarah has her own huge ABC solo project that gets underway in a week or so, and Sunas are contributing a few songs to that (along with some fantastic big name people that she'll reveal later on). You can read all about it at here. We've also got the Gold Coast Festival coming up, along with a nice road trip down to the Bellingen Festival next month. December sees a few local shows, but mainly us closeting ourselves away to write the new album which hopefully we'll debut at the Music by the Sea Festival show in early Jan. Then we'll combine the recording with a trip back to the Illawara Festival and a possible, very special trip to Melbourne. That'll be a busy couple of weeks!
Next year is already on the brew. We'll be off to as many festivals as will have us, recording yet another cd, then later in the year we're planning on heading back overseas.
It certainly is interesting times. Now, back to writing the Neurum Creek blog...
It's been far too long since we've actually blogged about anything. In our defence, we have been terribly busy (and a lot of our day-to-day communication takes place of Facebook most of the time -it's just quicker and far more immediate). But I thought I'd take a moment to post a little something.
Firstly, I have to say thank you. A big, fat, jelly-wobbly thank you to everyone who bought the last cd. It's taken us all quite by surprise. Celtic Road made the top 10 list for ABC Classics & Jazz bestsellers of the year, which for an unknown folk band from Brisbane is pretty cool. The DVD (made by our amazing friends over a NoSuchStudioCollective) is still on rotation on cable TV over 6 months after it was released.
And we're going to do it all again in a couple of months. We're flying down to Sydney to record another album with the ABC in January. It's shaping up to be a busy end of the year for us. As some of you may know, Sarah has her own huge ABC solo project that gets underway in a week or so, and Sunas are contributing a few songs to that (along with some fantastic big name people that she'll reveal later on). You can read all about it at here. We've also got the Gold Coast Festival coming up, along with a nice road trip down to the Bellingen Festival next month. December sees a few local shows, but mainly us closeting ourselves away to write the new album which hopefully we'll debut at the Music by the Sea Festival show in early Jan. Then we'll combine the recording with a trip back to the Illawara Festival and a possible, very special trip to Melbourne. That'll be a busy couple of weeks!
Next year is already on the brew. We'll be off to as many festivals as will have us, recording yet another cd, then later in the year we're planning on heading back overseas.
It certainly is interesting times. Now, back to writing the Neurum Creek blog...
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Ten Years in Sunas
In February of this year I celebrated ten wonderful years with Sunas, and started reflecting on my journey. Goodness - how does one condense ten years worth of experiences and memories into a smattering of words?
I joined Sunas in 2001 when I was 19 years old. I came from a classically trained background in flute, having done all of my grades and smashing a 92% mark on Grade 8 (no apologies for bragging there, it is still one of my biggest achievements!). As much as I loved (and still love) classical music, I was so burnt out by the rigidity of it. There is no room for improvisation, no 'funky version' you can practice for exams, and I began to resent it. My flute was an extension of myself, but I began to think that surely there must be more than just classical music.
Oh yes, there was. Musical theatre!
I enrolled in a Bachelor of Music Theatre uni course & spent a year in Mackay learning the ropes of singing, dancing, tech work, lighting, costuming, workshops & major performances from some of the most incredible teachers in Australia. I loved that year of uni. Unfortunately the dancing was valued very highly, and I have two left feet. My version of dancing makes me look like a frog in a blender. So after a year of music theatre, I came home to Brisbane and started wondering what else was in store for me. One night in February, my Mum & Dad went out to the local Dooleys at Meadowbrook (now known as the Meadowbrook Hotel) with some friends of theirs. My Dad came home raving about this band that was playing, called Sunas. My parents knew I missed music desperately, so after having a look at the line-up (guitar, fiddle, bouzouki & keyboards), Dad enquired as to whether they were looking for a flute player. The bald guy in the band promptly replied, 'Are you sh*tting me?!' Apparently Sunas had been advertising for a flute player who could sing harmonies for months.
WELL. Dad gave me their card and told me they wanted me to send them an email listing my experience. I'd had NO experience in Irish music, but I loved the music from Riverdance & Lord of the Dance (I know - I literally was 'green!'), and I knew just enough to know that I wasn't keen on Foster & Allen. My Mum told me that I should really sell myself and make them think that I would be perfect for the job. Keen on impressing all of Sunas, I sent off a ten page email (I kid you not!) to Paul & Helen telling them how qualified I was.
Paul later told me that everyone killed themselves laughing at my email, because I sounded completely wet & eager. Oh well :) But they loved my enthusiasm enough to want to meet me. We all met up for the very first time at Gilhooleys Chermside, which was Sunas's next gig. That night I met Mannie McAllister (bouzouki & mandolin), Rachel Witney (vocals & fiddle), Helen McDiarmid (keyboards & vocals) & Paul Brandon (guitar).The first song I heard them play was 'Ride On' by Jimmy McCarthy. I completely fell in love with this type of music after watching Sunas play. Their songs & tunes were tight, their sound was so full! And they laughed a lot. I REALLY wanted to be in this band.
I had two auditions (neither of which were known to me!). The first one was simply having a chat over a coffee. They wanted to know about my musical background, but they also wanted to know if my personality would fit in with their peculiar brand of humour. I took the piss out of Mannie & Paul in the first 15 minutes & passed Round One. Round Two was my ability to pick up tunes quickly. Apart from a crash course in jigs & reels from Mannie & Helen, I was on my own. But I love to improvise, and the very first tune I learnt was Charlie Harriss's on my brand new Clarke D whistle. I passed. I was a member of Sunas! Sarah Calderwood (flutes, whistles, vocals). Mannie & I bonded immediately. He's such a naughty boy, we'd giggle and talk utter bollocks for hours. Not to mention rehearsing like demons - it was so lovely to find someone who was as obsessed with music as I was. I love Mannie to pieces, he's my best friend and like a brother to me. Helen & I bonded over crap songs & our dirty, cracked humour. She was my second Mum and a wonderful musical mentor. I miss her every day. Paul & I, well, we bonded in a different way - we argued & traded outrageous insults a lot - we were best friends, but each other's wit-sharpening post (and still are). Paul & Mannie challenge me to be the best musician I can be – they have certainly kept me on my toes. Early on I began to view Sunas not as a band & business, but as family. That’s how we roll, yo.
Here's a pic of my very first rehearsal with Sunas (Rachel Witney took these pics - Helen was away on holiday at the time). Please don't rib me TOO much about my awful hair - not to mention the fact that I was blonde (Paul said I looked like a camel had chewed my head).
I threw myself into my new band - it was wonderful, and I LOVED the music! Rachel left Sunas 18 months later to focus on her family, and I became the lead vocalist. I was awful to begin with! But Helen & Mannie were wonderful support & really helped me to 'find' my voice. I remember Sharon Shannon coming to Brisbane in 2004 with Irish singer Pauline Scanlon supporting her. Watching Pauline sing and the way she used the mic was a tremendous 'clanger' moment for me. I 'got' it, took the ball and ran with it, although I firmly believe that there is always something to learn, so am still developing my vocal technique to this day.
My musical heroes are Kevin Crawford, Flook, Matt Molloy, Kate Rusby, Pauline Scanlon & Karan Casey. My flute & whistle collection is still in its young years. I have exchanged my silver classical flute Max for a gorgeous blackwood Sweetheart flute, called Jeremy (Jem for short). In recent years I collected a cherry red aluminium MK low D called Ruben and a Benedict Stewart rosewood low F called Henry, and I'm STILL not finished (a Grinter is on order…). I name all of my instruments. Yes, they are boys names for obvious reasons.
Gigs are always the number one highlight for me. I cannot ever remember a time when I didn’t want to perform. There are days where I feel physically & mentally exhausted, but the second I step up on stage, everything changes. I’m home & comfortable, and there’s an audience to connect with.
I remember playing at my first ever folk festival - Woodford 02/03. I saw Kavisha Mazzella, Trouble in the Kitchen and Jigzag for the first time and became an instant fan for life. Not to mention aspiring to become as accomplished in performing as they are! To me, Woodford is the type of festival that truly shows what humanity is capable of -for six days and six nights, our crazy world aligns, and we really do see a privileged glimpse of what world peace could be like. I adore everything about it. Yes, even the weather!
Wow, I just re-read this post. It’s rather epic! Ten years of crazy Paddy's Day gigs, of playing in the weirdest places imaginable, of line-up changes, of album set-backs and finish lines, of strength and heartbreak and success. But most importantly, ten years of making and sharing amazing music with amazing people, meeting the absolute love of my life, and the greatest amount of hysterical laughter I have ever been a part of. It's quite surreal looking back at all of this, because for me, Sunas is an ongoing journey. I'm not foolish enough to believe that Sunas will last forever, but I do hope that our musical journeys continue together for a long time. There is so much more I could have written, but I think I’ll save that for the next recap. Who knows where we'll be in another ten years?
I joined Sunas in 2001 when I was 19 years old. I came from a classically trained background in flute, having done all of my grades and smashing a 92% mark on Grade 8 (no apologies for bragging there, it is still one of my biggest achievements!). As much as I loved (and still love) classical music, I was so burnt out by the rigidity of it. There is no room for improvisation, no 'funky version' you can practice for exams, and I began to resent it. My flute was an extension of myself, but I began to think that surely there must be more than just classical music.
Oh yes, there was. Musical theatre!
I enrolled in a Bachelor of Music Theatre uni course & spent a year in Mackay learning the ropes of singing, dancing, tech work, lighting, costuming, workshops & major performances from some of the most incredible teachers in Australia. I loved that year of uni. Unfortunately the dancing was valued very highly, and I have two left feet. My version of dancing makes me look like a frog in a blender. So after a year of music theatre, I came home to Brisbane and started wondering what else was in store for me. One night in February, my Mum & Dad went out to the local Dooleys at Meadowbrook (now known as the Meadowbrook Hotel) with some friends of theirs. My Dad came home raving about this band that was playing, called Sunas. My parents knew I missed music desperately, so after having a look at the line-up (guitar, fiddle, bouzouki & keyboards), Dad enquired as to whether they were looking for a flute player. The bald guy in the band promptly replied, 'Are you sh*tting me?!' Apparently Sunas had been advertising for a flute player who could sing harmonies for months.
WELL. Dad gave me their card and told me they wanted me to send them an email listing my experience. I'd had NO experience in Irish music, but I loved the music from Riverdance & Lord of the Dance (I know - I literally was 'green!'), and I knew just enough to know that I wasn't keen on Foster & Allen. My Mum told me that I should really sell myself and make them think that I would be perfect for the job. Keen on impressing all of Sunas, I sent off a ten page email (I kid you not!) to Paul & Helen telling them how qualified I was.
Paul later told me that everyone killed themselves laughing at my email, because I sounded completely wet & eager. Oh well :) But they loved my enthusiasm enough to want to meet me. We all met up for the very first time at Gilhooleys Chermside, which was Sunas's next gig. That night I met Mannie McAllister (bouzouki & mandolin), Rachel Witney (vocals & fiddle), Helen McDiarmid (keyboards & vocals) & Paul Brandon (guitar).The first song I heard them play was 'Ride On' by Jimmy McCarthy. I completely fell in love with this type of music after watching Sunas play. Their songs & tunes were tight, their sound was so full! And they laughed a lot. I REALLY wanted to be in this band.
I had two auditions (neither of which were known to me!). The first one was simply having a chat over a coffee. They wanted to know about my musical background, but they also wanted to know if my personality would fit in with their peculiar brand of humour. I took the piss out of Mannie & Paul in the first 15 minutes & passed Round One. Round Two was my ability to pick up tunes quickly. Apart from a crash course in jigs & reels from Mannie & Helen, I was on my own. But I love to improvise, and the very first tune I learnt was Charlie Harriss's on my brand new Clarke D whistle. I passed. I was a member of Sunas! Sarah Calderwood (flutes, whistles, vocals). Mannie & I bonded immediately. He's such a naughty boy, we'd giggle and talk utter bollocks for hours. Not to mention rehearsing like demons - it was so lovely to find someone who was as obsessed with music as I was. I love Mannie to pieces, he's my best friend and like a brother to me. Helen & I bonded over crap songs & our dirty, cracked humour. She was my second Mum and a wonderful musical mentor. I miss her every day. Paul & I, well, we bonded in a different way - we argued & traded outrageous insults a lot - we were best friends, but each other's wit-sharpening post (and still are). Paul & Mannie challenge me to be the best musician I can be – they have certainly kept me on my toes. Early on I began to view Sunas not as a band & business, but as family. That’s how we roll, yo.
Here's a pic of my very first rehearsal with Sunas (Rachel Witney took these pics - Helen was away on holiday at the time). Please don't rib me TOO much about my awful hair - not to mention the fact that I was blonde (Paul said I looked like a camel had chewed my head).
I threw myself into my new band - it was wonderful, and I LOVED the music! Rachel left Sunas 18 months later to focus on her family, and I became the lead vocalist. I was awful to begin with! But Helen & Mannie were wonderful support & really helped me to 'find' my voice. I remember Sharon Shannon coming to Brisbane in 2004 with Irish singer Pauline Scanlon supporting her. Watching Pauline sing and the way she used the mic was a tremendous 'clanger' moment for me. I 'got' it, took the ball and ran with it, although I firmly believe that there is always something to learn, so am still developing my vocal technique to this day.
My musical heroes are Kevin Crawford, Flook, Matt Molloy, Kate Rusby, Pauline Scanlon & Karan Casey. My flute & whistle collection is still in its young years. I have exchanged my silver classical flute Max for a gorgeous blackwood Sweetheart flute, called Jeremy (Jem for short). In recent years I collected a cherry red aluminium MK low D called Ruben and a Benedict Stewart rosewood low F called Henry, and I'm STILL not finished (a Grinter is on order…). I name all of my instruments. Yes, they are boys names for obvious reasons.
Gigs are always the number one highlight for me. I cannot ever remember a time when I didn’t want to perform. There are days where I feel physically & mentally exhausted, but the second I step up on stage, everything changes. I’m home & comfortable, and there’s an audience to connect with.
I remember playing at my first ever folk festival - Woodford 02/03. I saw Kavisha Mazzella, Trouble in the Kitchen and Jigzag for the first time and became an instant fan for life. Not to mention aspiring to become as accomplished in performing as they are! To me, Woodford is the type of festival that truly shows what humanity is capable of -for six days and six nights, our crazy world aligns, and we really do see a privileged glimpse of what world peace could be like. I adore everything about it. Yes, even the weather!
Wow, I just re-read this post. It’s rather epic! Ten years of crazy Paddy's Day gigs, of playing in the weirdest places imaginable, of line-up changes, of album set-backs and finish lines, of strength and heartbreak and success. But most importantly, ten years of making and sharing amazing music with amazing people, meeting the absolute love of my life, and the greatest amount of hysterical laughter I have ever been a part of. It's quite surreal looking back at all of this, because for me, Sunas is an ongoing journey. I'm not foolish enough to believe that Sunas will last forever, but I do hope that our musical journeys continue together for a long time. There is so much more I could have written, but I think I’ll save that for the next recap. Who knows where we'll be in another ten years?
Thursday, April 21, 2011
The National
Flying can be quite nerve-wracking for us. In addition to all the clothes we have to pack (regular clothes and gigging attire, and often stuff for different climates), there are the instruments. For us, that's a guitar (big, checked in), a bouzouki (checked in), fiddle (carried), mandolin (carried) bodhrán, usually carried, sometimes stuffed into a suitcase), flutes and whistles (carried). Now, add to that the leads we take (one each, generally 35-footers), the floor boxes (5, each just over a kilo) and we're pretty close to the limit.
We're generally allowed 2 bags each, not exceeding 23kg. Added together.
Now add on the CDs. 100 CDs weighs 17kilos. We have 2 albums, and if it's a new recording, you need a lot of them. They sell. Then there's the T-shirts. This stuff isn't that optional -the money from the merch pretty much pays for the next set of flights to the next festival. The gig fee pays for the food, the drinks, the repairs, cabs to the airport, a new shirt, strings...
And for this festival, the National Folk Festival in Canberra, where it is currently 4 degrees C and we're staying in Tent City, we need to bring bedding. That's a lot of luggage.
Which is why I have to thank the amazing Martin and Jonathan from the ABC who managed to get us special musician luggage waivers, at literally the last minute (they arrived just before we left).
I'm sitting in the airport, waiting for our slightly delayed flight. Mannie and Sarah are sitting next to me giggling about something (probably me). We get into Canberra at about 10pm. We'll dump our stuff and hit the sessions.
It's going to be grand!
I'll blog when I can. Promise!
Paul
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
We're generally allowed 2 bags each, not exceeding 23kg. Added together.
Now add on the CDs. 100 CDs weighs 17kilos. We have 2 albums, and if it's a new recording, you need a lot of them. They sell. Then there's the T-shirts. This stuff isn't that optional -the money from the merch pretty much pays for the next set of flights to the next festival. The gig fee pays for the food, the drinks, the repairs, cabs to the airport, a new shirt, strings...
And for this festival, the National Folk Festival in Canberra, where it is currently 4 degrees C and we're staying in Tent City, we need to bring bedding. That's a lot of luggage.
Which is why I have to thank the amazing Martin and Jonathan from the ABC who managed to get us special musician luggage waivers, at literally the last minute (they arrived just before we left).
I'm sitting in the airport, waiting for our slightly delayed flight. Mannie and Sarah are sitting next to me giggling about something (probably me). We get into Canberra at about 10pm. We'll dump our stuff and hit the sessions.
It's going to be grand!
I'll blog when I can. Promise!
Paul
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Location:Brisbane Airport, Australia
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
An Album Update
It's been a busy month!
Celtic Road debuted on the Aria Classical Chart at number 9, which was fantastic. It held that spot for 2 weeks then to everyone's surprise, it climbed to number 5, then on to #4 this week. Here's some interesting perspective: at #1 is the untouchable Wicked soundtrack, followed by two albums by Cecilia Bartoli, who is currently the highest-selling classical artist in the world with over 10 million albums sold (and currently touring Australia). Not bad for a small folk band from Brisbane!
We've not been blogging that much because we've been out and about. We seemed to have moved away from Myspace onto our Facebook page, and you can find us there very regularly. We've played at quite a few ABC shops in the past couple of weeks, which has been a blast, and we've also been playing catch-up with a lot of the festivals. We should be around Australia quite a lot in the second half of the year -and this half too for that matter, which appearances at the National Folk Festival in Canberra over Easter, and the National Celtic Festival in Victoria in June (which has the incomparable Solas as headliners).
We've also just found out that our live concert is going to be screened on Foxtel soon, on channel Stvdio. I'll post the times very soon!
- Posted using BlogPress from an iPad
Celtic Road debuted on the Aria Classical Chart at number 9, which was fantastic. It held that spot for 2 weeks then to everyone's surprise, it climbed to number 5, then on to #4 this week. Here's some interesting perspective: at #1 is the untouchable Wicked soundtrack, followed by two albums by Cecilia Bartoli, who is currently the highest-selling classical artist in the world with over 10 million albums sold (and currently touring Australia). Not bad for a small folk band from Brisbane!
We've not been blogging that much because we've been out and about. We seemed to have moved away from Myspace onto our Facebook page, and you can find us there very regularly. We've played at quite a few ABC shops in the past couple of weeks, which has been a blast, and we've also been playing catch-up with a lot of the festivals. We should be around Australia quite a lot in the second half of the year -and this half too for that matter, which appearances at the National Folk Festival in Canberra over Easter, and the National Celtic Festival in Victoria in June (which has the incomparable Solas as headliners).
We've also just found out that our live concert is going to be screened on Foxtel soon, on channel Stvdio. I'll post the times very soon!
- Posted using BlogPress from an iPad
Friday, February 18, 2011
It's Out!
So, finally, after what seems like an age, the new album is out there and flying on the winds. Responses so far have been incredible to say the least. It's an odd feeling, finally being at this point. We're so proud of this; it's been an amazing journey, so thank you to Martin, Geoff, Robert, Bells, Al, Maria, Ange, the Steves, BassLee, Kevin, Cillian, Ross, Doogs, Jen, Ben, Rhydian, Davy, DrumLee...
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
A Smashing Competition!
Hi All,
There's a fantastic competition running at the moment for those of you that pre-order the new CD to win tickets to the amazing National Folk Festival in Canberra over the Easter Weekend (April 21-25). This is a complete package including 2 adult season tickets and full camping, and is worth a whopping $780.00.
Here's the link to the order page
This year's National is looking like being the best ever, with overseas artists such as Andy Irvine, Davy Stuart, Nancy Kerr, James Fagan & Martha Tiltson, Alan Reid from the legendary Battlefield Band, and local brilliance like Shane Howard, William Barton, the Crooked Fiddle Band, Eric Bogle, the brilliant Bushwhackers and the wonderful Kavisha Mazella (OAM!). Ah look, there's just too many good people to list, so go here:
National Folk Festival
And flights to Canberra are quite reasonable at the moment so there's no excuse!
There's a fantastic competition running at the moment for those of you that pre-order the new CD to win tickets to the amazing National Folk Festival in Canberra over the Easter Weekend (April 21-25). This is a complete package including 2 adult season tickets and full camping, and is worth a whopping $780.00.
Here's the link to the order page
This year's National is looking like being the best ever, with overseas artists such as Andy Irvine, Davy Stuart, Nancy Kerr, James Fagan & Martha Tiltson, Alan Reid from the legendary Battlefield Band, and local brilliance like Shane Howard, William Barton, the Crooked Fiddle Band, Eric Bogle, the brilliant Bushwhackers and the wonderful Kavisha Mazella (OAM!). Ah look, there's just too many good people to list, so go here:
National Folk Festival
And flights to Canberra are quite reasonable at the moment so there's no excuse!
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Wednesday News
Hi all,
Few things to announce this evening!
We are extremely pleased to be able to say that we'll be performing at the 45th National Folk Festival in Canberra from April 21-25 (Easter Weekend). This isn't big-noting, it's all official now and we can't wait! We been before in various situations, but never all four of us together. We'll post more info when the program is made official later this month.
The 30-second TV commercial for the new album is complete, and will be screening on the ABC later this month. This is something that we're all still gobsmacked about -us ont' telly! There's even a chance we'll make it onto satellite TV too. 100 personalized preview copies of the album went out this week to press and publicity people, which apparently is unprecedented by the ABC. The level of support and enthusiasm we've been getting from them has been above and beyond, and really, the adventure is only just beginning.
The album launch has been set for Sat 19 Feb, and in a lovely turn of luck we're able to use Ferry Road Studios again. We'll be sending out a newsletter later on this week with all the details, so if you're not signed up, now's a good time, the link is up there to the right.
And finally, we're off this weekend to shoot a film clip for the song Bushes and Briars. This involves us looking all windswept and interesting at some ungodly hour in the morning (for the magic light). We'll let you know how it goes!
Exciting times!
- Posted using BlogPress from an iPad
Few things to announce this evening!
We are extremely pleased to be able to say that we'll be performing at the 45th National Folk Festival in Canberra from April 21-25 (Easter Weekend). This isn't big-noting, it's all official now and we can't wait! We been before in various situations, but never all four of us together. We'll post more info when the program is made official later this month.
The 30-second TV commercial for the new album is complete, and will be screening on the ABC later this month. This is something that we're all still gobsmacked about -us ont' telly! There's even a chance we'll make it onto satellite TV too. 100 personalized preview copies of the album went out this week to press and publicity people, which apparently is unprecedented by the ABC. The level of support and enthusiasm we've been getting from them has been above and beyond, and really, the adventure is only just beginning.
The album launch has been set for Sat 19 Feb, and in a lovely turn of luck we're able to use Ferry Road Studios again. We'll be sending out a newsletter later on this week with all the details, so if you're not signed up, now's a good time, the link is up there to the right.
And finally, we're off this weekend to shoot a film clip for the song Bushes and Briars. This involves us looking all windswept and interesting at some ungodly hour in the morning (for the magic light). We'll let you know how it goes!
Exciting times!
- Posted using BlogPress from an iPad
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Sarah's Recording Adventures
This may sound completely out of character, but I am a complete cynic when it comes to ideas or offers outside of my band and my bandies. I believe the term Paul & Mannie use is 'Ice Queen'.
For good reason. I love this band fiercely. I love what we have built, what we have achieved, how far we have come. I am incredibly protective of everything we have. So much so, that after performing at Dougie MacLean's concert in Colo, when a nice cameraman called Martin gave me his business card and told me he managed a record company, my first thought was, 'Yeah, sure, Sparky!'. This has happened to us before, and nothing ever came of it. Folk bands don't get signed to labels - especially high-profile ones.
Well, as you have probably noticed from the dervish of activity from Sunas HQ of late, I have been proven rather deliciously wrong. The amount of support and enthusiasm from Martin regarding this project was nothing we had ever encountered before. Recording this album has been an undertaking that none of us expected. Apart from a collection of 'classic folk songs' (a term used loosely at best) there wasn't a general idea or plan that was adhered to for the 'Sunas ABC Project'. We had complete choice of what songs we wanted to capture and 'Sunas-ise' for this album. The only plan was to capture the 'live' sound that Sunas is known for. Everything else revolved around throwing ideas at the wall to see what would stick. Martin hadn't heard our versions of any of these songs until we were actually in the recording room laying the tracks down for the first time.
This showed how much faith Martin had (and still has) in Sunas!
We were recorded mostly as a four-piece, literally laying down the songs as though we were gigging or jamming. The other times there was two and two, mostly Mannie & Paul recording their parts simultaneously and Bridget & myself laying down vocals and harmonies or flute & fiddle lines together. Very rarely did we record alone. Even when I was singing solo, someone always made sure they were there for support and to capture the moment with photographs.
Our recording sessions were dream-like. I believe the term is 'in the zone'. We knew our songs were good, but for whatever reason, be it caffeine, humour or Mannie's barking spider, our fingers were tingly and the magic was flowing. We would finish each day looking at each other and asking, 'Did that really happen?' It also helped having Martin and Geoff behind the desk. We could not have asked for two more easy-going and honest supporters for guidance. Sunas has a very high work ethic - so much so that after a particularly fruitful session, Martin called time because he was afraid we would push the magic and lose our momentum. Even so, the majority of our songs were knocked over in two hours.
I absolutely loved every aspect of these weekends. I was living and breathing my dream of being a fulltime musician, something I thought would be a really cool thing to do when I was five years old and singing into a red plastic maraca (I still think it would be a really cool thing to do!). After three weekends blissfully oblivious to the world outside, locked cozily in a big room and sporting fresh midnight tans, we had finished our album and the live concert recording beckoned the following weekend.
And next month, we release our little project, Celtic Road, to the winds. Aptly named, really, because this really has been the most amazing journey for us. Interestingly, because although I'm still a cynic, I think some ice splinters have melted internally, just a wee bit!
For good reason. I love this band fiercely. I love what we have built, what we have achieved, how far we have come. I am incredibly protective of everything we have. So much so, that after performing at Dougie MacLean's concert in Colo, when a nice cameraman called Martin gave me his business card and told me he managed a record company, my first thought was, 'Yeah, sure, Sparky!'. This has happened to us before, and nothing ever came of it. Folk bands don't get signed to labels - especially high-profile ones.
Well, as you have probably noticed from the dervish of activity from Sunas HQ of late, I have been proven rather deliciously wrong. The amount of support and enthusiasm from Martin regarding this project was nothing we had ever encountered before. Recording this album has been an undertaking that none of us expected. Apart from a collection of 'classic folk songs' (a term used loosely at best) there wasn't a general idea or plan that was adhered to for the 'Sunas ABC Project'. We had complete choice of what songs we wanted to capture and 'Sunas-ise' for this album. The only plan was to capture the 'live' sound that Sunas is known for. Everything else revolved around throwing ideas at the wall to see what would stick. Martin hadn't heard our versions of any of these songs until we were actually in the recording room laying the tracks down for the first time.
This showed how much faith Martin had (and still has) in Sunas!
We were recorded mostly as a four-piece, literally laying down the songs as though we were gigging or jamming. The other times there was two and two, mostly Mannie & Paul recording their parts simultaneously and Bridget & myself laying down vocals and harmonies or flute & fiddle lines together. Very rarely did we record alone. Even when I was singing solo, someone always made sure they were there for support and to capture the moment with photographs.
Our recording sessions were dream-like. I believe the term is 'in the zone'. We knew our songs were good, but for whatever reason, be it caffeine, humour or Mannie's barking spider, our fingers were tingly and the magic was flowing. We would finish each day looking at each other and asking, 'Did that really happen?' It also helped having Martin and Geoff behind the desk. We could not have asked for two more easy-going and honest supporters for guidance. Sunas has a very high work ethic - so much so that after a particularly fruitful session, Martin called time because he was afraid we would push the magic and lose our momentum. Even so, the majority of our songs were knocked over in two hours.
I absolutely loved every aspect of these weekends. I was living and breathing my dream of being a fulltime musician, something I thought would be a really cool thing to do when I was five years old and singing into a red plastic maraca (I still think it would be a really cool thing to do!). After three weekends blissfully oblivious to the world outside, locked cozily in a big room and sporting fresh midnight tans, we had finished our album and the live concert recording beckoned the following weekend.
And next month, we release our little project, Celtic Road, to the winds. Aptly named, really, because this really has been the most amazing journey for us. Interestingly, because although I'm still a cynic, I think some ice splinters have melted internally, just a wee bit!
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