Where's Your Go To Place?

 

 

When the pressures of everyday life and/or the worries of the global crisis' get us down, it's good to have a bolt-hole.  A "Go-To" place. A place that calms the storm within and the storm without.

 Some will say, "oh, I meditate"or "oh, I pray" ...but there's much to be said for taking your WHOLE body, not just your mind, to somewhere else. And there is much research that supports this view. 

 For example, a Japanese immunologist's 20-year research study proved that the  natural airborne compounds known as phytoncides, (which trees release naturally) when breathed into the human body, had the ability to lower levels of stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline. Thus, time in forests, for example physically improved the body's ability to cope better with life's stress. Some people find it beneficial to spend time by the ocean or near water. Simply, being in Nature is a powerful healer.

 My go-to is the wetlands. For me, the sounds of nature, the birds, the wind in the trees, the sound of rainfall, all contribute to a sense of calm and peace. It's also inspirational. So here's where I've been on this chilly wintery morning;   

Looking for the Bright Spots

 Gosh, the world can be feeling quite overwhelming at the moment, can't it. Especially when we might be feeling helpless at not being able to do anything, and hopeless that everything is getting out of control.  

But music is a great escape, isn't it? Whether you're making it, practicing it, learning it, performing it, or just enjoying it! It can lift our hearts, stir our memories, make us feel joyful, wistful, sad, or hopeful. Any way you're engaged with it, music will affect our mood.

I wanted to share this little clip with you today ....because I'm so involved in the Wetlands Arts Project, I'm spending a lot of time in nature and at the local wetlands. Being there always lightens my mood, makes me feel happy. I hope this little clip does the same for you.  (The music is Dancing in the Light from the Luminous album which is NOT on the Bandcamp page.  However, there are some lovely tracks on the first wetlands album "Song of the Wetlands" which IS on Bandcamp and when you listen to Feathered Promenade on that album, the clip below will make perfect sense.)

 Feathered Promenade on Bandcamp

Track In Progress

 With a major new project on the go, life has been pretty flat out. With the first layer of the first track put down in December with Anyerin Drury on Didgeridoo, invitations went out at the beginning of the year for the second layer. In February a group of local singers gathered at the Wetlands Centre in Shortland to lay down a chant which would sit behind the Didge track.

On a beautiful still and cool Saturday morning, we gathered to chant. Stevi Cannon directed the voices, Zac Limon bought his equipment to record in situ, and Catherine Knight worked behind the camera to get some footage. Here's a taste of the sound with the Didge track playing.  

Don't forget to subscribe to the Vlog The Wetlands Arts Project  to be notified when new updates are loaded up. I'd love to share the journey with you, introduce you to the musicians and their instruments, the artists who will create their works from the music, and the volunteers who work tirelessly in the wetlands.

Out with the old.....

  As we come to the end of another year in a chaotic world, are we not so very blessed to be able to find comfort in our familiar safe place, with people we care about who care in return, in a country not conflicted by war, famine, or despotic government?  Life may not be perfect, but it could be a whole lot worse, as so many of our fellow humans are experiencing across the globe.  

And here at home in Australia, too, there are too many of us experiencing a life that could and should be better. Homelessness hasn't skirted our country, nor has poverty, nor has domestic violence. But if you are one of the very fortunate who haven't experienced such things, let's all try to make the world that we inhabit here at home a little kinder and a little more joyful as we had into another year. Let's make it a year of change, thinking outside the square to bring some sparkle into someone else's life. 

My happy place is where I'm immersed in music ...listening to it, watching it live, or making it. It is truly awesome the difference music can make in individual lives. Let's do our very best to bring more music into the world through 2026....music that lifts us all UP, music that soothes those of us who are grieving, lost, or lonely. And let's make it our mission to bring more cheerful, fun and happy music to the kids in our world - their childhood shouldn't be contaminated with the fear and sadness of global unrest. 

I'm in!  How about you?

Here's cheers 🙆to making a better 2026!

New Projects

 Just when you think about winding down for the Christmas holiday season .........

•  This month I finally finished the track I promised for the Munibung Hill Conservation Society and it's now 'Live' on my Bandcamp site, with a video created for the track as well on my YouTube channel.  Links here:  Watch Munibung Hill   Listen/download here .   Recorded at Robbie Long's studio - and Rob adds some lovely mandolin and dobro to the track.

• 
  If you haven't heard yet (if you've not subscribed to the mailing list?), at the invitation of the Wetlands Art Gallery, I've embarked on another major project similar to the 2023 'Song of the Wetlands'.                          This soundscape will be very different ....I know a helluva lot more about the worlds wetlands than I did back then!...and the participating artists will be producing multi-medium artworks based on the soundscape. The first project - 13 months - was a hoot and so this time I thought you might like to come along for the ride. Consequently, I've started a Vlog [video blog] so you can travel the journey with me. You'll meet the musicians, the artists, and volunteers who keep the Wetlands Centre going, and I'll share information about how the music is evolving, background to the tracks and more. The Vlog isn't live yet but I'll post a link here as soon as it is....or subscribe to my YouTube channel to be notified automatically when it's available ... Get on board for the ride! 

• And lastly ...couldn't let the opportunity pass by to remind you that the Season is just around the corner and if you didn't collect a copy of 'Embrace the Season' for your playlist last  year, then please do so this year. It's a beaut album, with some lovely tunes and meaningful lyrics (apart from the comedy ones of course!) and it's available via download from Bandcamp  OR order direct - and I'm the only one who gets paid! - via CD or a nicely packaged flashdrive - just $16, postage included (Australia only)

 

Hidden Gems

 Happy to report - after last month's post about new music - that I found some little gems recently in the most unlikeliest of places.

Here in Newy (Newcastle NSW for the non local readers) another new pop-up venue has been drawing interest this year. Housed in a disused factory with a bit of rustic charm, one Sunday afternoon a month, local artists perform for guests who bring their own shared afternoon tea, and sit on old, recycled recovered, or restored chairs, lounges, ottomans and soak it all up. It's quaint, it's quirky, a bit like its offerings, you never know what you're going to get, and midst it all there are some absolute gems! And if you don't know about it, you'll never know about it!  Oh, and did I mention that it's free? (or now and then, a gold coin donation)

All over the country there are little undiscovered jewels like this happening, where undercovered live music is creating it's own underground scene. This month, along with a small group of my 'tribe', I enjoyed an afternoon of laugh-out-loud and 'wow' moments, with artists ranging from a couple of uni students through to some over-the-hill-ers. All with a common thread - a passion for their music and a willingness to share it with an appreciative - and sober - audience.

Mixed among some great original music, were some highly original takes on other covers. 

And no, I'm not going to tell you where it is. Some things shouldn't be just handed over on a plate for others to pick and choose. Little gems like this deserve to be ferreted out - a lot of the fun is in the searching, and the discovery.  But I will give you a hint: start with your local folk clubs. You might be astounded at how SOME clubs have evolved over a couple of generations. And you might also be astounded at just how many of the biggest stars today, got their first start in their local supportive folk scene. 

Pre-show setup - decor: shabby chic, recycled, restored, recovered, rescued

 

Searching for Originality

 Here in Oz, as we move from a chilly winter into the beginning of Spring, my thoughts roam to emerging from winter hibernation. It's around about this time of year when my social life starts to kick back into gear! And it's also when new creativity tends to start knocking on my door. 

So recently, I played for a little local fundraiser, to a lovely appreciative audience who'd never heard music like mine before....that is, Original music. And I'd played mostly my comedy works [plus my tribute to the homeless track - "Man of Uncertainty"] which meant in an afternoon of just lovely music - from some delightful artists I might add - only one eighth of the program contained any new music. 

I suspect that may be indicative of where the music industry is at, currently. Not that new music isn't being made, but that new music isn't being heard. Maybe that's why I get so bored so quickly when I turn on the radio, or drop in to a pub or club. They're playing the same old, same old, music I was listening to 20, 30, 40, 50, years ago. And if you're a regular reader here, you'll know I'm very anti the streaming channels - (music theft has never been alright by me) -  they control your listening based on their algorithms.

And why do I enjoy finding and listening to new music? Because it reflects what's happening currently, today, in our world, in our society. It challenges our thinking, our attitudes, offering different perspectives, and more. We are what we listen to. A nostalgic trip into the past may be comforting but living in the past denies us the opportunity to live in the present. And it is only when we are present in our life, that we can determine how we want to live in the future.

So this spring, I'll be digging into who's playing where, who's playing what, and who's making new music. And maybe I'll get inspired, encouraged, and enthused to share the news. 

Bandcamp-A good place to find new music ... in here you can find heaps of Original artists ... try Anousha Victoire and Su Morley  and Clark Gormley just for starters!

 

Is Everything Old becoming New Again?

 Like many of us, I've had to replace my computer recently and the new computer doesn't have what my old computer had - a CD player/burner. So I've been looking online for a replacement and discovered something: Not only is Vinyl making a comeback, but there is an increasing demand for CD players with USB and Bluetooth capacity!

   Why? Well, for one thing, it seems that serious music lovers are unhappy with the restrictions of streaming - which is fine for casual listeners - but for genuine audiophile's its not good enough. True music lovers want to own their music not rent it. They want to listen to all the nuances in the music they choose, which streaming squeezes out in the compression process. And for true music lovers, for whom music is NOT simply the wallpaper in their life, to be able to access the nostalgia and memories contained in their own specially-chosen collection, is a joy that no streaming service can match.  

And that's not being a music 'snob' ...that's being a human being who has found their home, their heart and their individual choice in their music. 

 

Got the Winter Blues?

 ....then chances are, you're not getting your daily fix of good music.  Nah, i don't mean the commercial stuff on your radio while you're getting ready for work or whatever your day has planned for you. I mean, are you getting your daily 'fix' of music that touches your heart, your soul, your spirit, or your funny bone? When we talk about life balance, taking time to listen to a variety of music - the sort that touches the emotions that your heart is craving at just this time - is a great place to start.   

It's mid-winter and I'm surrounded by people with covid, flu, and 'unidentifiable' bugs! So I recommend a spoonful of "Feverish" off the Still Breathin' Blues album  ...you can listen and download here: FEVERISH  ...or for my ageing mates who agree that in these later years, EVERYTHING aches - in winter and in summer,  then  what about a little "Senectitude Blues" to help you smile the damn things away : SENECTITUDE BLUES

Stay warm, keep smiling, and never stop grooving! 

OFFICIAL RELEASE DAY! APRIL 11

 Yee-Harrrr!!  It's out!  

STILL BREATHIN' BLUES has donned it's glad-rags and is ready to strutt it's stuff.   With 14 original tracks for your listening delight,  if you like, love, or are in-love with "the Blues"  you are going to enjoy this one!.   

It's infused with many different Blues flavours including, classic blues, rock, jazz, folk, soul, street.  You may recognise a hint of Tom Waits [my fav blues artist] Bessie Smith [also a fav] Billie Holiday [another fav] :) ...and more.

The album is available via download  at Bandcamp (where you can listen free first)    .....          or    .....    on a rather flash Flashdrive  which can be ordered via direct email.  (#the Flashdrive also contains bonus items - see below - and is postage free in Australia].   Email for details:  Email direct

In the meantime, here's a little taste ...Meet Billy!   #Track No.2  Bad Billy Blues

 ##BONUS ITEMS available separately for download or included with Flashdrive there is a beaut Ebook - in pdf format - which contains all the lyrics, recording and session notes, anecdotes about the songs and recordings, and session photos ...  plus a short video "meet the groove'rs"  of the musicians involved in the project.  Check the Bandcamp page  or email for details [above].

Meet the Groovers

 

PRE-ORDERS ARE AVAILABLE NOW!

Direct email for details.   Official launch date 11th April.

secure your copy via *Download  or  *Flashdrive   .... direct orders get a free BONUS treat with a collection of all lyrics from the album with recording notes, anecdotes about the tracks, studio photos, and more - in Ebook formate emailed direct to you.

Embracing the Season ~ ANY season

 In this month's issue of Trad&Now Magazine - a review of the Christmas album "Embrace the Season"

   And even tho' the songs were written with a Christmas flavour - the message/s in the song/s are relevant for any time in our life.  Tracks like  "Try a Little Kindness" for example, where the lyrics reinforce that in the most difficult times, a kind word, an unspoken hug, a thoughtful action, a small generosity of the heart, can change one person's moment, day, life.

You can listen to the album on my bandcamp page here:   

Maureen's Bandcamp page 

The magazine also has some great articles including one on the vital importance of our wetlands - and linking my "Song of the Wetlands" Album for some free giveaways.     You can read more on the magazine's website:   Trad&Now mag  it's Australia's leading Folk, Blues, and Roots publication for over 20 years.

 

 

CHRISTMAS ALBUM

 "Embrace the Season" 

 The new Christmas album is due for release on            6th November  and will be available for download or CD [CD via direct order only].   You'll be able to listen and purchase the album - or individual tracks - on my Bandcamp page [ https://maureenobrien.bandcamp.com ] HOWEVER, there's an EARLY BIRD offer for subscribers only:

....here's an exclusive offer for the brand new CHRISTMAS ALBUM which will be released on the 6th of November.
EXCLUSIVELY for YOU is an offer to jump in on an exceptional early-bird price of just $10 prior to the official release date. To take advantage of this offer, you'll need a private/subscribers code which I can issue directly to you. Email me direct to get your private code.....

This album completes the trifecta - 3 albums released in under 12 months! That's a cause for celebration in itself, eh?

TEN+ GOOD REASONS

 Everyone uses streaming....don't they???

Errrr, NO!  and for many good reasons.  There are thousands of independant songwriters like myself who resist or simply decline this mass-market approach.   Here's  some food for thought;