“I FEEL YOUNG, I HAVE FUN, I'M NOT DONE!"
1. This year I've been back writing songs. To have Mick Medew as a collaborator is fantastic. Hope you've enjoyed them on our second album, “In The Zone”.
2. I've seen some amazing gigs this year. Here’s the highlights. Human League!!Halfway's 20th anniversary of “Any Old Love”. (I was asked up on stage to play harmonica on one song, but I danced instead). Dave Graney and Clare Moore and Adele Pickvance at The Bearded Lady. Glycereens at our single launch. Radio Birdman, Sabrina Lawrie, Salt & Steel and Sarah Stockholm at Stranded, Loves a Blur as part of the Going Nowhere Fast exhibition and book launch. The Worm Turns at PFR Lounge (plus I got to meet Ildi Babu). The Melancholics single launch. The Saints ‘73-‘78 at The Princess Theatre. The Donnybrooks at Lismore.
3. The 23rd March is a special day for Mick Medew and me, because that's when we saw Stuart McLaughlin drumming in Sarah Stockholm's band. We both looked at each other and said. “I like his style; he could suit us”. I approached Sarah and she said, “Go for it! He’s got his own studio too!” Turns out said studio is five minutes from us. Stuart was keen. We asked Mick's former bass player, Lois Andrews to join, and she said Yes too!! The Mick Medew and Ursula 4 was born and April 1 was our first rehearsal. We’ve since played four gigs and we are looking forward to next year's shows in Newcastle, Sydney, Ipswich and good old Brisbane.
4. On the 24th of January we got a new fridge! The door actually closes and seals the cold air in!! How about that??!!!!
5. I have a group of women friends and we lunch regularly. Being retired is awesome! We chat and laugh and eat and drink! My brothers and sisters, their partners and Mick and I meet up monthly to play Bocce in the local park. We chat and laugh and eat cakes and sometimes even play Bocce! A very Wuthering Heights Day in July, involved a huge group dancing in a park, dressed up like Kate Bush and dancing to “Wuthering Heights, like Kate did in the video. I practised the choreography and went along with my friends Shelley and Tracey Walker. Social interactions with friends and family keep my sane.
6. So our album is recorded, mixed and produced by Brian Mann, mastered by Ernie O. Artwork done by David Darling, To be released by I-94 Bar Records on November 1st. What to do next? Make a film clip! I spent many sleepless nights planning the clip for “Punk Grandma” in my head. It just had to be at Bindha Station! I ask Tracey Walker, who always does our photo shoots and videos, and she's keen to do it. She has some great ideas for shots! The day comes. It’s stinking hot and the wind is blowing big time. This all adds to the feel and appearance of the video. Lucas and Delilah Moon are my adopted grandkids. At least they do what I tell them to do. (Mostly). My real grandsons aged 2 and 5 are simply the best, but really don't care that their grandma jumps around in videos. They only care that I'm always there for them, and that I buy them chips! Tracey has the video edited and presented to us by the end of the week. It’s perfect!! And just in time for our single launch at the newly opened PFR Lounge in Ann Street (a great venue for musicians and punters run by Robert Anderson, a volunteer and announcer at 4ZZZ) 5.5K views so far on YouTube!
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7. On October 21st I was invited into the 4ZZZ studio for the programme, Megaherzzz. I'm on the whole show, which I didn’t realise! They played a song from my old band, Ironing Music, which they'd just discovered and the three tracks from In The Zone that I wrote with M. Medew and sang. I felt sp very honoured and emotional by the end of it, that I had to buy a bottle of champagne. A lovely experience!
8. Community radio and podcast presenters, programme presenters and reviewers all around the world have been very complimentary and supportive of our album. Many thanks to Brisbane Radio 4ZZZ volunteers and announcers who have played our songs and had us into their studio for interviews. We’ve been number-one twice, album of the week and have been in their top 20 most played for the past seven weeks. So many people to thank. I hope you know Mick and I are very grateful for your continued support.
9. Our album launch was November 16th with Lovejoy Surf at It's Still A Secret in South Brisbane. It stormed all afternoon before and during the gig. What is it with us and the weather???!!! It couldn't have gone better. Everyone was very encouraging and the venue and is one of my favourites to play at. Great sound from their engineer, Anthon.
10. Craig Barman. Enuff' said.
I hope you all have a Happy Christmas and hopefully see you in our travels next year!
