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* Tour NewsletterPosted 15th May 2008 Hey all
We had fun touring the United States. Seattle was a highlight, and MerleFest as always. We loved our Nashville show. 160 people showed up and only about 20 from Nashville. Most had driven in from surrounding states, including Floriday, Texas, Chicago. It was touching. I hope you all got home safely.
We had a night of sublime tunage with the time jumpers at the station and then danced to Rosie Flores set at the Basement with Lucinda Williams making a guest appearance. Not bad for a Monday night . Our bassplayer, Ben, now wants to move there. That would put the whole band in northern hemi.
Australia are you losing your hold over your own children? Never, my beautiful Isle. You hold my heart close to your shoreline always. Time flies when you have babies.
We've had some wonderful openers on this tour. Always a pleasure to discover new music. Special thanks to Tony Scherr for bringing Bonnie Rait to the show in San Francisco. There's nothing like having a legend side of stage to lift your game!
It is a crazy life. I was sleeping in, after arriving in Édinburgh from Salt Lake City. I got to visit my family for 3 days. In the last 5 months I've been a part time mother and a full time touring musician. People always ask me "how does it work, mothering and touring?" Well, it doesn't, really.
Anyway I was in the hotel thinking "I am in Scotland. I should leave this room and actually go into Scotland". But it was raining so I stayed in and read a book. It is crazy that we travel all these miles to arrive in another country and I step out only to play another gig and eat some dinner. And that's my whole experience because the next day you move to the next place and do it again. Dave has the right idea. He tours with a bike.
We had a really fun gig in Edinburgh. A foggy day driving through the country, (we were most impressed by the all organic and local produce travel stops) down to Manchester where the club was intimate. It was like playing in the old days when all the clubs were too small, standing room only and every person sang along. At soundcheck we rehearsed about every song we never play from the old albums and rediscovered a bit of ourselves. I hope we include one or two in future shows.
A day off saw me once again recovering in a hotel room as our hotel was overrun with Scottish football fans, who chanted and paraded outside my room all night. There's something about groups of men chanting and waving flags that scares the hell out of me. Over to Ireland next where we have a night off and I'm hoping to get a lesson on my concertina which I canna fer da life o me werk oot.
Then all roads lead to London for the grand finale. Sold out. Please save all coloquial chants for the walkabout pub next door where they encourage it. It conjures up all my fears of flag waving groups of men and I forget the words to my songs.
We are truly enjoying playing music more than ever. The band is tight and we are getting new songs together. August is filling up with shows and we are talking about getting into the studio again. Big thanks to JB (aka Jason brown) pulling great sound night after night. And Matt Handley our tec ever patient with set changes. And Bailey TM...TOP SHOW that's how you do it.
Got a decent tour coming together in August in the US. And no plans as yet to head to Australia. It will only take a few weeks of northern winter before we'll hop a plane like you never.
There is some talk about digging out the unreleased tracks from our last recording session. So keep an ear out but you didn't hear that from me.
Lastly a footnote of advice to our younger listeners. (seeing I'm nearing 35 I've now sufficient life experience to espouse my views on this and that) TV is poison. Take youselves down to a folk festival and join a clog dancing workshop. That's where it's at dude.
Seeya there Vikki / Waifs
* US Tour UpdatePosted 19th January 2008
USA and UK TOUR
The Waifs have announced USA dates to accompany the release of Sun Dirt Water on March 4th in the USA and April 28th in the UK. Check out the Tour Page for more details.
www.thewaifs.com
www.myspace.com/thewaifs
* The Waifs Wrap Up 2007Posted 24th December 2007 
After a two year break, international touring artists The Waifs returned to the local spotlight for an amazing year back behind the mics.
Their current record Sun Dirt Water rocketed into the ARIA charts at # 2 week of release and every show they played sold out, reigniting the fires that burn within Aussies for their favourite folk rockers.
It has been an amazing return to the local stage, which started with a national sold out arena tour supporting Keith Urban and flowing through to a sold out national tour of their own, magazine covers, rave reviews and talked about appearances on Enough Rope with Andrew Denton (ABC) and another hit ABC series, The Chaser.
Vikki Thorn also clocked up another song writing gong, taking out the WAM Award for Song Of The Year, for her hit single Sun Dirt Water.
After performances at The Woodford Folk Festival, The Falls Festival’s in TAS and VIC and the Southbound Festival in WA, the band joined label mate John Butler on a national tour in January, with special guests Clare Bowditch and The Feeding Set, for a number of spectacular outdoor events in the Union Of Souls Tour.
A series of intimate up close, bare bones concert versions of the Union Of Soul were performed in Sydney , Melbourne and Brisbane in February.
This was the last chance for fans to see the band before they return to the USA in March 2008 to tour and release Sun Dirt Water.
“ To see the Simpson sisters on stage – Donna urging on the music with tambourine in hand, Vikki pouring out her soul through her harmonica – was truly a gift. The sublime guitar of Josh Cunningham, standing in between his two long-time band mates, stood testament to the strong musical influences gained from a blues-based trip. This was a Waifs gig that was truly unforgettable – one of the best shows I’ve seen in a long time – and proof that the trio is at a creative peak.” Sun Herald
* Lots of News for Y'all !Posted 7th November 2007 Lots of News for Y'all!Donna and Vikki in particular have had their share in front of TV camera's recently, with both girls being interview by Andrew Denton on " Enough Rope" back in August, followed up by the experience of a 4.30am lobby call to get to the Channel 9 studios for two live performances and interview with Richard Wilkins on the " Today" morning show last month. And of course, the ARIAs last week when Donna and Vikki had the pleasure of presenting " Best Independent Release" to good friend, John Butler. Congratulations John for both awards. Check out this red carpet ARIA picture  . . Finally, The Waifs would like to thank all those fans and friends who have supported the band during their recent 7 week tour of the country. Many of you, particularly in regional areas, have been incredibly patient and supportive during the bands extended break, allowing Donna and Vikki to spend time with their young boys. They would also like to thank all those who travelled this long road tour with them, assisted in so many ways, and made the trip so much easier for everyone, as well as doing a fantastic job in their chosen field - Dave (Drums), Ben (Bass), Mikel (Keyboard), Emma (TM), Tim (FOH), Matt H (Tech), Phil and Kate (Lighting), Norma and Mat (PA), and Craig (Merch). If you missed out on TShirts during the tour, you can buy mens, womens, and childrens tees direct from Out With The New Online Store . Until next time The Waifs Donna, Vikki, Josh
* WAM Song of the YearPosted 1st November 2007 The 2007 winners in the WAM Song of the Year contest were announced in Fremantle last night.
Vikki Thorn from The Waifs won the professional prize for the tune 'SunDirtWater', beating out the likes of Katy Steele, Kevin Mitchell, John Butler and Snowman. The new video for sundirtwater.
Click to Play
* The Waifs Rocket Into The ARIA Charts, Debuting at # 2Posted 11th September 2007 The band will land back in Australian this week, to a plethora of glowing reviews of their new offering… a great way to begin their mammoth national tour in support of the release of Sundirtwater.
“sun dirt water is their best album yet, with a sense of texture and songwriting ease that expands their folk roots. It’s a dark, invigorating disc.”
Sun Herald - Most Talked About Release
“The Waifs open their long-awaited fifth studio album with a Josh Cunningham composition, a country blues classic, laden with irresistible harmonies from Vikki Thorn and Donna Simpson….a confident, eclectic collection.”
The Daily Telegraph - Album Of The Week
“The title track is typical Waifs wondrousness; a bluesy number with their voices soaring over tumbling percussion and squealing guitar.”
Sunday Telegraph - Album Of The Week
“sun dirt water sounds effortless and makes the listener feel decidedly relaxed.”
Herald Sun - Four Stars
Sundirtwater is in store now through Jarrah Records and MGM Distribution.
* The Waifs on Enough Rope August 20thPosted 12th August 2007
* sundirtwater - released september 1Posted 7th August 2007  The Waif's new album released September 1.
See the Bio Page for the full story about recording the of the album
or SunDirtWater Discography Page for complete track listing and ordering. |
