Currently working, laughing, driving, flying, smoking, writing and singing a lot with THE JUNES. Totally kicked arse at Port Fairy Folk Festival and Tamworth CMF with THE PIRATES OF BEER. Also enjoying quality stage time with Leigh Ivin, Marcel Borrack, Andy Baylor and Chris Wilson, although not generally all at once. Imagine the fights! Available solo, duo, trio, quatro, cinque...prego.
Influences
I love Elvis the most, but also really love Kiss, Robbie Fulks, Dan Hicks, Bill and Louise Kirchen, Joanna Newsom, AND her boyfriend,The Roches' first 2 albums, Gypsy music, Tinariwen, Latin music, Hawaiian, Southern soul, the magnificent Abbe May, reggae esp. early 70s and anything by Ross Hannaford, Shula Hampson, Jimmie Rodgers, early jazz and big band swing, Western Swing esp. Willsy and Milton Brown, Jeremy Hanley, Johnny Guitar Watson, Azo Bell, Tommy Womack, The Re-Mains, Jackie Marshall, Gleny Rae, Billie Holiday, Lisa Miller, Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn, Etta James, Sarah Vaughan, Rosemary Clooney, Dean Martin, Gary Young, doo-wop, MGM and Sun rockabilly, Rick O'Shea, Captain Matchbox Whoopee Band, Johnny and June, Jim and Jennie, Mexican music esp. pre-war, The Paramount Trio, The Dancehall Racketeers, Daddy Cool and all its offshoots, Headbelly Buzzard, Mi-Sex, Hank Williams, Marty Robbins, Peter Paul and Mary, The Beatles, The Beach Boys, ABBA, The McGuire Sisters, The Nashville Bluegrass Band, Joel Silbersher, Chris Gaffney, all music of South-East Asia, the Pigram Bros and all Aboriginal music, heaps of African, Cajun/Zydeco, Gospel of all persuasions, Wagons, Chris Wilson, Kerri Simpson, Jeff Lang, Tonchi, Dan Warner, Marcel 'Chunksy B' Borrack, Kate and Andy Reid, in fact all my musical mates of Melbourne. Enormously influenced by Suzannah Espie and Trish Anderson for many years. Also Art Deco and Nouveau, the beach, the films of Wes Anderson, Tony Gatlif, Christopher Guest and The Coen Brothers, Little Miss Sunshine, My Life Without Me, Living In Oblivion, Team America, Grease, Mad Max 2, The Sound Of Music, Lady and The Tramp, Flight Of The Conchords, tap-dancing, animals of all kinds, the bush, Johnny Depp in all his guises, my dear husband, my mum, both my dads and my beautiful children.
"..a brilliant singer and songwriter" Jeff Lang "..totally believable songs...outstanding" Billy Pinnell
"..Aided and abetted by a stellar lineup of musicians, this is music that wanders freely off the country reservation, bringing soul-infused horns, gospel and folk traditions along for the ride..a great album of songs...You can't ask for much more than that." Jarrod Watt, ABC Ballarat, Oct 6 2008
"...her second solo album retains affectionate links with the vintage Nashville swoon of Patsy and Loretta...a calm, clear voice that's neither overtly Melbourne nor Memphis." Michael Dwyer, The Age
"...the best thing I've heard in ages...awesome" Warwick Brown, Greville Records, Melbourne
"...Wahine is reminiscent of a favourite album...lost for years and freshly returned, full of cherished memories, surprises and delights...a giant leap on all fronts...not overly gushing presents something of a challenge!" Kim Porter, FORTE magazine
" Surf's up! Wahine is an exquisite country collection." Jeff Jenkins, MAG, Sept 2008
"...a beguiling slice of unpretentious country folk..so authentically and purely her...this album feels entirely ingenuous and instinctual." Martin Jones, Rhythms, October 2008
" Sarah is a superbly accomplished songwriter...a career best." Alex Morton, The Last Record Store, Melbourne
Date of birth 30/06/07
WAHINE, pronounced wah-hee-neh, is my latest album on Croxton Records, home of great independent and free-spirited Australian roots, country and rock'n'roll. You can buy WAHINE from www.croxtonrecords.com, and my website, www.sarah67comeback.com; or order it at any record shop you like! Apparently I have my own section at JB HiFi in Sydney. About bloody time....
SOME OTHER FACTS OF (MY) LIFE.....
I teach ukulele at Ocean Grove Primary School and Barwon Heads Primary, and conduct occasional singing and songwriting workshops for young people in Geelong at The Courthouse Youth Arts Centre and at Bellarine Secondary College.
I am the Director of The Tides Of Welcome Soul and Gospel Choir, a 45 piece community choir based in Queenscliff, Victoria, currently producing its second album.
I have also worked in public radio for 20 years, and have been an announcer at 3RRR, 3CR and currently 94.7 The Pulse in Geelong. I have performed live in the studios of radio stations around Australia, and am a regular guest at 3RRR in Melbourne.
I have played music professionally for 18 years. The bands I have been part of are The Ofays, GIT, The Junes, The Unconscious Brothers and The Pirates of Beer, a band formed especially to back US guitar legend Bill Kirchen in September 2007, which were also the hottest draw on Peel St last Tamworth Festival. .
Renowned rock and folk singer Mick Thomas, whose label my records are on; Van Walker, also on Croxton, and I toured the southeast of Australia during late winter and spring 2008 to play our new songs for new audiences. These shows were along the lines of the highly regarded Croxton Neapolitan tour, with the three of us becoming one musical entity.
Whilst working with GIT I toured America 3 times; to Austin, TX twice and to Nashville, TN once. We also did two national tours of Australia; one with Mick Thomas and one with Jeff Lang. We wrote most of our own material and released 5 recordings during our 8 year lifespan. The last one was a collaboration with Bill Kirchen, with whom we gigged in Austin, and with whom I maintain a very warm friendship.
Since the demise of GIT, I have formed a similar band, The Junes, with two interstate members, the fabulous Gleny Rae Virus and Dougy Bull. We play twice a year in intense bursts. The Junes were guests recently on ABC quiz show Spicks and Specks, and released an EP in June '08. Titled The Junes Collection, as it is a collection of songs, it includes swing gems, calypso, bluegrass and a Spanish love ballad!
The Junes are following triumphant festival appearances at Port Fairy, Brunswick and Apollo Bay with extensive touring throughout Australia this year and will record our first full-length CD in...JUNE 2009!!!
You can see the video of us at www.myspace.com/thejunestunes, and buy our EP there if you like!
I have recently produced another artist's album for the first time; guitar and uke duo Sweet Delores, who have written some beautiful songs. Their album, Loco, is available at their myspace.
I have played in most inner city Melbourne hotels, holding residencies most recently at The Spanish Club in Fitzroy. I have also helped to get a great local (for me) venue, The Piping Hot Chicken Shop in Ocean Grove, off the ground this year which is hosting regular and diverse all-ages musical events. My favourite tour destinations have been in the Northern Territory, NSW and Tassie, although I also love Adelaide, Queensland and regional Victoria. The lot, in fact...especially Nymagee!!
FESTIVALS:
Katherine Country Music Muster (avec les Junes!)
Port Fairy Folk Festival ( 5 times)
Apollo Bay Music Festival (4 times)
Queenscliff Music Festival ( 8 times)
East Coast Blues and Roots (NSW) (2 times)
Tamworth (NSW) (4 times)
Woodford (Qld) (2 times)
St Kilda Festival
Working Horse Festival
Manna Gum Festival
Whittlesea Country Music Festival
Brunswick Music Festival (4 times)
National Folk Festival (ACT)
Bilyana Folk Rhythm and Life (8 times)
Great Southern Blues and Rockabilly (2 times) (NSW)
Nymagee Outback Festival (NSW) (2 times)
Barwon Heads Festival of the Sea (3 times)
SXSW ( Austin TX) 2 times
Folk Alliance Convention ( Nashville TN)
DISCOGRAPHY:
2008 THE JUNES COLLECTION (indep.)
2008 WAHINE Croxton Records
2007 Rhythms Magazine 15th anniv. CD, track from YIPPEE
2007 Croxton Christmas Sampler, track Ukulele Bitchfight
2006 YIPPEE Croxton Records
2006 Pirate Girl EP Croxton Records
2006 The Unconscious Bros EP Indep.
2004 Satellite ( GIT with Bill Kirchen) Croxton
2003 Flowers (GIT) Croxton
2002 The Rising Sun Sessions (GIT) Indep.
2001 Mixed Up (The Ofays) Indep.
1999 Sweet (GIT) Indep.
1998 Fishburger (GIT) Indep.
Recording work; I've been fortunate enough to sing on the following artists' albums; CHRIS WILSON, BILL KIRCHEN (GIT), DOUG MANSFIELD (RIP dearest Doug), BARB WATERS (GIT), MICK THOMAS (GIT), JEFF LANG (GIT), JOEL SILBERSHER, DAN WARNER, SUZANNAH ESPIE, SWEET DELORES, GRAEME FLETCHER.
Thanks I love to see it I only have been to the movies once and it might be a bit loud so how did George cope with it? Im going to buy the DVD when it comes out for christmas thanks for thinking of me Charley
After you've finished here, you may like to hear this poem sung on myspace...
Poem 162 of 230, WalkaboutsVerse (please see my blog): TEES TO TYNE: FIRST IMPRESSIONS - SUMMER 2001
Where traditions are not so rare; Sea, country and works scent the air; A multitude of monuments, Planted tubs and patterned pavements.
The longish pedestrian malls; The remnants of defensive walls; Historic buildings are a gauge Of the respect for heritage.
Wheat, rape and pines in the fields; Estuaries guarded by shields; Long sandy beaches and wide scenes; Romantic-ruin go-betweens.
Rivers in parts licked by trees, Or fringed by boat clubs, wharfs, gantries, And crossed by practical delights - Varied spans, forming pleasing sights.
Fine churches headed at Durham; Football kits ad infinitum; Kept castles - one for study; Masonry behind masonry.
And, with moulding-works out that way, It’s somewhere for a longer stay..?
Hi Sarah, Thanks for getting muddy with us on Saturday arvo... and eve [winketty wink wink] The hostess with the mostess indeed. So ... the potato shed, the chicken shop. There is a pattern emerging.
We love your stuff as you know already.. can you help?
We have an outstanding song we wish to be published for another artist or released as is. It has everything from superb backing harmonies from a childrens quire to a blistering solo and well thought out melody lines. Please hear the song on our myspace soon, it has the backing of the press and radio as it standing this month. We wish to raise money for charity with it's sale. If you care about children please hear the song out. The song is called "Children in need". Can you help or know someone who can aid us on our quest? Please comment back on our myspace to at least give us encouragement to make this happen. God bless you.. we would be honored to hear from you.
hey Sarah, Great to hear from you luv ;) Em and I are doing well on our lil' round Aus trip. Touring down the west coast at the mo as you can see and havin a ball. Hope to do another show at the Chicken Shop in late Dec before we head home. Catch up then hopefully :)
Today I like to inform you, that you can read and watch interviews with your favorit country stars in Enlgish, German and French at http://www.CountryHome.de/Interviews .
Warm regards
Christian
Editor & Journalist for Country Music Christian Lamitschka An der Pfingstweide 28 61118 Bad Vilbel Germany Phone: ++49 6101 544613 Mobil: ++49 171 6903352 Ch.Lamitschka@t-online.de Info@CountryMusic-Magazin.de www.MySpace.com/ChristianLamitschka
Just wanted to let you know my Debut EP launch is on the 24th of September with Charles Jenkins and the Zhivagos (and Dave Lane from YOUAMI) at The Bended Elbow in Geelong! I would love to see you there if you can make it, should be a great night!
Hope all is going well with your career. I just wanted to invite you to check me out for your next recording project. If you have any questions E Mail me at LonnieRatliff (at) gmail.com. I also have original songs if you need them.
Hi Sarah Had to share a comment/thought. My father recently passed away.... a musician all his life his latter days where him playing an instrument that was always round the house; a ukulele. Thank you for bring memories of him back
"Ticklin' The Strings" by Sweet Hollywaiians
Amazing Japanese hot string band playing 1920's, 30's, 40's style hawaiian, swing, calypso, blues, italian music and originals,featuring vintage instruments.3 songs with Robert Armstrong and Tony Marcus(from Robert Crumb and His Cheap Suit Serenaders)
"The Sweet Hollywaiians have probably the best feel for this 20's music of any string band working today. They manage the rare feat of sounding relaxed even when their playing is hot, are top notch musicians with tasteful arrangements and a full, rich, warm sound.Plus, they have a nice gamut of tunes, from King Nawahi to Giovanni Vicari to Bobby Leecan. See them live, if you can, for an unforgettable experience. If you can't, buy their Cds!" ~ Terry Zwigoff
After you've finished here, you may like to hear this poem sung on myspace...
Poem 2 of 230, WalkaboutsVerse (please see my blog): WALKABOUT WITH MY PEN
Once drove an old sedan, up north, From a place in Sydney to Cairns; Then to Kuranda I went forth, By train, to look without set plans.
I browsed through the trendy market, With fresh fruits of tropical kind; Walked to the creek through lush thicket - Nature’s hand giving peace of mind.
I dined in a scenic cafe; Then, outside, as I wrote for yen, Some passing Kooris called-out: “Hey, You go walkabout with your pen.”
Request or question, I don’t know - Assured voices, elderly men. That’s now several years ago, And I’ve seen the world - with my pen.
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