Once again we find ourselves with LOTS of TShirts left over from the Temptation tour early 2011, so here is a chance to grab yourself a bargain, at giveaway prices of $5 each, plus $5 postage.

The countdown begins....nominations announced

Some distance and perspective now on our first Australian tour in 2 years, with our new album "Temptation". At first it felt strange to be back at it. If I am honest it took about 2 weeks for me to feel completely comfortable being onstage again. The usual doubts heightened by the fact it had been so long between tours. Coupled with the realisation that we'd been treading this water for 19 years. Are we gonna sink or swim?
I can't really put into words the gratitude I feel, so I won't. The tour was a resounding success. Overall I got a real sense of people's lives, stories and that they had come to hear music that held a place in there. 
History, what a trip it all is.
Our old touring van found a new home with Sarah a long time listener, supporter and friend. Kick her over and her call Beryl, she was a beauty in her day. 
We tried to create the "Brief History" cover by crawling in there for a photo but we have.....thickened up and it was too much of a tight squeeze. See photos of us looking decidedly unwaif-like. Funny. 
Good to see some fiery debate and comments flying around about religion, performances etc..  
We deservedly copped some critisicsm from Tasmanian followers for calling it a national tour and leaving out the national treasure. Tasmania and some of the rural centres were left off the schedule when due to personal circumstances our 8 week tour had to be cut back 2 weeks.  Hopefully we can make a festival gig down there sometime.
The unexpected highlights for me were - the Freo show (almost unbeatable), our first trip to Bundaberg, the Townsville Uni Beer garden, the Tanks Arts Centre in Cairns and the Darwin ski club. Those end of tour shows that were a blast . Finishing up in our 'birthplace" Broome had a poignant vibe. Playing Crazy Train for the last time for me was a relief, my unborn child was not digging the groove and let me know it. With my swollen belly and ankles I made quite  a spectacle up there, detracting from the music with my huffing and puffing. After six weeks it was good to have a lie down.

I know those of you who got to hear Mama Kin on tour were suitably seduced. As we were we. Great act to warm up to, hard act to follow. Thanks Daniella, Michael and George. 
Also to Tinpan Orange (Noah says hey), Big Old Bears, Jess Ribeiro (feeling better yet?), Ruby Boots, Nicky Bomba, Kate Martin, Tabi Sari and The Mc Menamins.

Of the eve of it's USA and UK release 'Temptation' already feels in the past here. I loved playing these songs live. As a band we've become intuitive. Rising and falling as a song dictates. I can hear that on this recording. In it first week of release the album debuted at number 3 on the Australian charts, held respectable positions in the weeks following. We were floored as we pay zero attention to that sort of thing. What does it mean?  I suppose with all our deliberating on whether to release another album I (we?) felt it was the right decision. That people were still listening.
Cool. We may make 20 years yet.

take care
Vikki

Hi,

Our 2011 tour starts this week. Here we go again. This is a tour and album that almost didn't happen. With young families and being so far from each other we never quite know when we'll be busting out tunes again. But happen it did. In true "last minute" form.

The gigs are booked, the album has gone to press - looks and sounds great. We are happy and anxious to play these songs for the first time. Kicking off with a "hometown gig" in Moruya NSW.

Today we're rehearsing and it feels good. Organic & intuitive. I am taken aback at how easily the songs come together. 2 days rehearsal for a 6 week tour? No worries.

The single "Fallin" is getting some airtime here and there - Donna reckons it's the first happy love song she's ever written. Catchy too.

I was singing at a farmers market in Utah and when I played that song everyone in the market went quiet to listen.  Anything else I played was just a soundtrack for cucumber selections.

"Temptation" will be available in stores and at our gigs from the second week in March. Got some new t shirts also.  There will be a bonus track called Boy available through Itunes. As well as a song  for free download on this site here

This song is called  "Angela" and was written for and about someone very dear to me. She's an inspiration to anyone fortunate enough to know her and I felt compelled to tell her story - as beautiful as it is tragic.

We  also want express our gratitude & appreciation to those of you who have been with us on this journey, for sharing your stories. There have been times when those stories have been the deciding factor to keep "keepin on".

Next August 2012 will be The Waifs 20th anniversary. We're not sure how we'll celebrate that milestone.  Looking at our old campervan here rusting away, she drew suggestions of "firing the old girl up and hitting the long hard road". I'm not sure any of us are cut out for that anymore, though Donna is dead keen.

It been quite a trip for us already and the amount of love and respect that remains is an  achievement in itself.

Making this album confirmed that for me.

We hope you enjoy the shows and new songs as much as we are.  Take care and see you out there.

Vikki Waif