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?

RELEASED, LAUNCHED, & CHRISTENED!

 

The first of this year's recording projects was officially released on June 29th.  

Woman Loves Jazz was launched at an intimate function in Newcastle where invited guests "christened" the new album with cupcakes, candles, and a hearty 3 cheers!

Listen free - and buy for a meagre amount - here at;   Bandcamp  and I'd love to hear any feedback from you.  This is album Number 12  and contains 5 new Original tracks ranging across *Latin Jazz  *Jazz/Blues  *Folk/Jazz .

Behind the Album: 

 I've been a songwriter for some 30 years and for 15 of those years I've been promising to tackle TWO particular projects -   1. a woman's jazz recording  and 2.  a Christmas album.             It was time to stop procrastinating (and getting sidetracked with other creative projects) and this was the year to make them happen.  Woman Loves Jazz was originally intended to be an EP ...however, as any dedicated songwriter will tell you, once the creative bones are firing, if a song is wanting to be written, it just has to be written!  Thus a 3 track EP turned into a 5 track extended play album (meeting the criteria set by the US Recording Academy who set the standard for the Grammy's)  

The Christmas album will arrive in November. 

 Stay tuned.

 

Officially Launched!

Song of the Wetlands - the 11th album, and the culmination of a 15month Arts/Music project  - has officially set sail at a very lovely, and cruisy event yesterday, Sunday 10th December.

Now you've read about it .....I know you're going to want to hear it......so better get it!  And if you're very very quick,  for TODAY ONLY you can download the album at 50% off ....yep, that's right, it's a HALF PRICE DEAL ...but ONLY TODAY on my Bandcamp Page.    

Here's the link: Moz on Bandcamp

On there, you'll find information about the album itself and on each of the tracks included.   

Should you prefer to order a CD or a Flashdrive, just message me direct on  bookings@maureen.com.au    $20 each [no specials on these babies, sorry]

And if you're in Newcastle during January, why not check out the  Sounds Sights and Textures exhibition  at the Timeless Textiles Gallery in Hunter Street - see what all the fuss has been about.  This is a truly unique, fibre art exhibition, from Artists around Australia and worldwide ...based on the sounds of the album.   Sounds Sights and Textures exhibition

Song of the Wetlands - it's a work of art!

 

READY FOR LAUNCH

 

Counting down now as we head to the Launch of "Song of the Wetlands" - phase one of the Sounds, Sights and Textures Arts/Music project which began in September 2022. 

The album is in the final stages of production and it's looking very pretty! Pre-orders are available now via email and will be available for collection at the Launch and for posting or download afterwards.

Launching at The Hunter Wetlands, Shortland, on Sunday December 10 at 2pm

Here's a short clip with Maureen, Mark, and Anne at the Wetlands, chatting about the project;

A Meeting of Minds 

 

 

FIRST REVEAL

 

11months ...and we're at the 'pointy end' ....that means, production is about to start ...  if you care to pop on over to the website, you'll find a new post there pre-empting the 'official' announcements - it's the EARLY BIRD peek just for you!    Here's the link;   Maureen's Website   and hint:  Subscribe please, it costs nothing and there's another post coming quickly to give you more information about the album itself.

This has been such a fabulous project to work on that the curators and I agreed it was worth a documentary in its own right.  So we've been steadily compiling that over the past few months and it will be posted up to one of my Youtube channels before the official launch of the album.

The project itself emerges in 3 stages;   1.  the music is exposed in December    2. the larger exhibition arrives at the Timeless Textiles Gallery in Newcastle in January, where you will be able to listen to each track that inspired the artwork you're viewing.   3. The reduced exhibition comes home to The Hunter Wetlands gallery space in April and will be celebrated accordingly.

If you're in Newcastle on Sunday December 10th, around 2pm, you're invited to come along to the album launch at the Wetlands itself - this will be a part fundraiser for the Centre and the only cost will be their regular entry fee [$7.50 adults/$5 senior+concession.

EXCITING NEW PROJECT

(Reports of my 'retirement' may be slightly exaggerated)
I'm excited to be part of a unique project happening in Newcastle in January and August 2024.

What started as a fairly straighforward commission in September of last year has morphed into an incredible community arts project involving a multitude of participants across the music, visual arts, and music technology arenas.

As I'm not the curator of the project, I'm respecting the wishes of the person/s who IS curating and keeping details under wraps for the time being. But stay tuned for tastes and tidbits as the year progresses.

In the meantime, my "creative bones" are back in the swing of things [thanks to this project] and although I'm unlikely to be returning to live performances in the foreseeable future, there will be plenty of opportunities for you to hear some great new music, some excellent stories, a few new comedy videos, and possibly a new novel before the end of the year.

For now, I thought you might enjoy the sounds of a song from the last album "WHIMSICAL" which I've just re-recorded with Katie Succar on lead vocal and myself on alto harmony. We may be hearing more of Katie to come.

 

a Zoom Year!

 Dang it!  "Sorry Miss, Covid ate my year" ...it zoomed passed

Yup, here we are - far too many months since my last post! - and little to report for the year of 2022!   No live gigs, no new albums!  

but hey!  we've marked the first birthday of Whimsical  and if you haven't got your copy yet, it's easy to get one.  Just contact me direct - or you'll find the whole album on most of the streaming services....Spotify, Amazon, Apple Music, ITunes, Amazon, and a whole bunch more!

The Meeting Arts channel on YouTube is up and running ...if you haven't checked it out, here's your chance to meet some local home-grown artists,  with a few more in progress.  Meeting Arts

There's also been a few more songs loaded up to the music channel here:  Maureen's Original Music

And the Sidestep Comedy channel - although hibernating for a couple of chilly months - has quite a few new vids up as well;  Sidestep Comedy  with some familiar faces recognisable to many of our theatre patrons.

I'd love to hear from you sometime...send me an email or a message ....Spring's coming with it's warmer weather so perhaps inspiration might encourage some live appearances before the year's out!   

Til then,  keep listening  

Covid, Lockdowns, and more

 So, we're all more than a bit ticked off with ongoing lockdowns etc aren't we?  So you don't need to hear any more complaints about it! Right?!

So what to do when a Creative is bored, restless, restricted, et al?........well this one writes songs, releases a new album, makes videos, and devises creative boredom busters!!

If you haven't already,  go to the Comedy page on this Blog and check out Marise playing around with the Pandemic Tango - that was a lot of fun to do!  And we just managed to squeak that one in before another lockdown was declared.  But another 12 vides lined up for the Sidestep Comedy Channel ( here: Sidestep Comedy) have been put on hold 'til we're allowed out to play again!

This week I've busted the boredom and recorded a new song [home recording cos I can't get out to a studio!]  dedicated to my muso mates who know what it's like to experience that on-off gig economy!  The song's called the CANCELLATION BLUES  and here's the vid to go with it.  Hope it gives you a smile  [and a bit of insight into what it's like in the Arts trenches].    

Whimsical Virtual Launch

What a Trip!

  After an 8 1/2 month gestation, the new baby is about to be released!

JOURNEY - my newest album -    is being launched at the Lass O'Gowrie Hotel, 14 Railway Street, Wickham on   Sunday afternoon, 21st October, 2.30pm ....and you're invited to come along and join the party.   Entry is FREE.  your invitation is here: 

Journey  contains 6 Original tracks, a Traditional Irish song, and 3 early blues songs selected as a tribute to 3 of the great female blues artists of the 20s, 30s, 40s.

Four of the Original pieces are songs from my final theatre production "Ladies Who Almost Lunch" and all of the songs on the album have a place in my own journey of life.   The Trad Irish song - the Wexford Carol - is done as an acapella piece and multi-tracked for the harmonies.

Recorded at the Funky Lizard Studios,  master instrumentalist Robbie Long has once again surpassed himself in the engineering stakes and I'm thrilled with the flavours he bought to those songs on which he has played.  [with instruments:  Lead guitar, bass guitar, drums, dobro, and fretless bass].

Once more, Russ Redford has placed his stamp on the CD with his lovely blues harmonica.  And for the first time in nearly 20 years of playing together, Gary Roberts finally agreed to record with me.  Russ, Gary and I have been playing intermittently as a trio for over 15 years - we've traveled some miles and shared some memorable journeys.  The 3 tribute songs were recorded Live in Studio in just one take - which says it all about how comfortably we work together.

My favourite song on the album is "Precious Cargo" - the lyrics memories are the treasures, gathered on the journey of life - say that our memories are the precious cargo that we carry on our journey through life. Robbies instrumentation really brings that one to life, for me.   I'll be interested to hear which is YOUR favourite song.

Steaming Ahead

Holy Smoke!  or should that be Holy Steam from the locomotive that's been going full steam ahead since the year started!  I can't believe it's May already.

The second series of the Wireless Chronicles was an absolute hoot and I'll probably do an encore performance before series 3 happens later in the year so if you missed the opportunity to catch it in April, try again.  [There'll be a taste of No.#2 on the blog's page in the next couple of weeks - check back in again]

Currently I'm working on TWO recording projects, a new album of my own, plus a CD with Ruby Blue [the duo with Anousha Victoire ~Americana Roots music].  More on the album as it progresses closer to completion but once again I'm back in the Funky Lizard studio with the excellent skills of  Robbie Long.

Coming up next month is the Drench and Launders Comedy Outing with Stevi Cannon ...and a whole swag of new laughs to share.  And if you haven't been keeping tabs on my YouTube Channel,  then it might be time to check it out ...here's the link:  https://www.youtube.com/user/mozluminous/videos  ... there's a bunch of new video's up there including some you won't find on an album and some you may not have heard yet if you haven't been along to any of the theatre productions.

and last but not in the very least,  there'll be some encore concerts coming up in the second half of the year - in particular the Carole/Carly/Joni story which gained such great feedback when the re-vamped show was run early last year. 

If you're not in the loop of what's happening when, it's free and easy to join my mailing list, or subscribe to this blog - you'll get notified when a new post goes up.  Alternately, become a Facebook friend where everything gets posted frequently!

A Rare Bird

Conformity is not a flavour that I am on speaking terms with.

Although there have been many times in my life where I've had to "toe the line" ,  mostly I find a way to rebel against the chains.

Don't put me in a box....or expect me to do/say what you think I should.  Cos I'm compelled then  to shake people and things out of their complacency.  I have an urge to encourage others to use their "thinking bits" and see life and issues from different perspectives.

Some people might call this "contrary".... like  "oh she's such a contrary bitch!" ....or  "opinionated" .... like  "oh she's too bloody opinionated for her own damned good" .....
I say ....... BRING IT ON!
I'm a songwriter  -  it's all grist to the mill!

Here's a rare opportunity to hear the stories behind the songs ....
Sunday 17th  @ The Dungeon  2pm  
 Tix at the door

Just a few weeks away from opening night for the new production Table Manners and we're excited!  
After a couple of BIG productions - in pure farce - it feels good to be getting back to an intimate and meatier project.  
A great Cast is doing a grand job, an album of new songs has been recorded and the discs are on their way, and our first Tech/Dress session is coming up this week.
Here's a potted summary of the show:
It's all happening at the Jazz Piano Bar and Restaurant where Jane is haranguing Cyril, Sydney is waiting yet again for another no-show, Flick is skulking with greedy intentions, Arthur can't figure out what day it is, and Jasmine is daydreaming over a charming Dane as she keeps the orders coming.  There's travel plans, and wedding plans, and secret development plans ....and many a slip twixt the cup 'n the lip!  There's daydreams, 'n sweet dreams, 'n fond recollections, and a nightmare or two for some! 

.....There's plenty of laughs to go around, some great songs to enjoy, and lots of food for thought.
Opening September 16 for a 2 weekend season - just 5 performances.  The Dungeon, Adamstown.
Tickets are available online at a generous discount:  www.ticketebo.com.au/tables 

 Cast:  Karen Hall; Marise Wilson; Harold Von Finster; Grant Bailey; 
Cherie McKinnon

Roundup Time

Well, this month sees the end of my Theme shows for the year ...and wow, what a year it's been!  I begin production for my new Theatre work at the beginning of November and that's going to be an intense focus until the show opens in March.  {you can get a sneak preview here: Shhhhhh!}

with Steve Cowley and Dave Pudney at The Dungeon

There have been more highs and very few lows during 2015.  It's been such a joy working with the amazing musicians that have joined me onstage this year.  And haven't we tripped down some lanes remembering some great music!
If you missed some of the shows, you might get a chance to see a couple of them next year thanks to one or two great supportive venues.  Speaking of which, I'm truly appreciative of those venues who support quality live music AND look after their musicians too as increasingly, venues are getting greedier at the expense of their entertainers.

And one of the fascinating things that have raised my curiosity this year is watching people at a live gig peruse the CD's and replace them.  I watch them reading the jacket - looking for a familiar track perhaps?  Something that they know.  Indie songwriters rarely record covers of other songs - what's the point?  There's a full article about this on my website ...if you'd like to read more click on the link here: Try the Jacket for Size
So if you've been part of the audience this year .....THANK YOU for coming along to support independent local music and I look forward to sharing some new musical journeys and experiences in the next year.

Stepping in to the new Season

Gosh I feel so blessed to be living this life in this city of Newcastle - surrounded by such talented musicians and artistic friends.  And this sense of gratitude is currently inspired by a couple of things -

• Like....here we are into Autumn and I have friends who swim at the beach regularly, still enjoying 20degrees in the water.   
•  Like.....in the middle of a crazy day, deciding to catch up with a friend at Merewether beach where the sun shone brightly, the water was the most amazing aquamarine, the kite surfers and paragliders were floating on the crisp offshore breeze, and people everywhere lingering in this paradise - on a mid-week working day!!! yeah!
• Like .... extending that catch up to a 2 hour coffee while we chatted music music and more music!.   
• Like....the excitement of forming a new duo with my friend the oh-so-talented Anousha Victoire  {keep your eyes and ears peeled for RUBY BLUE coming somewhere near you}who keeps introducing me to a raft of wonderful new songs and talented songwriters that I'd never heard of before!

So for those readers doing it tough at the moment, may your season pass soon.  And may I encourage you this way; 

 as I look back over a lifetime of tough seasons, where sometimes the going was so hard that I wanted to throw in the towel, where sometimes the future looked hopeless, and where in my WILDEST DREAMS I could not envisage the path I would take to bring me to this current season .... have courage and faith in your higher power to lead you to new directions.  Take the dolly steps you need to take, when you need to take them - but just TAKE them and don't give up.  Because the tough seasons don't last forever.

Here's a little vid clip I wanted to share with you - so you could enjoy Autumn in Newcastle too!

New Flavours add new zest to life

I’d like to tell you a story about a musical friend…who’s been to literally scores of music festivals over many many years and in all that time, and all of those festivals, she has avoided the traditional Sunday morning Gospel service like the plague.  As if she might catch something contagious simply by association. Quite funny really. 

Even more so was the look on her face the day at one festival when she arrived for the next concert in the program and caught the last 10 minutes of gospel because that concert was running overtime.  “I never knew it was like THIS …all those beautiful harmonies…I can’t believe it!” And of course the traditional Sunday gospel service is ALL about the music – there’s no ‘service’ really, it’s always old-timey gospel songs which are harmony based. She didn’t realise what she was missing all those years because her mind was simply closed due to her pre-conceived notions.

Now this story got me to thinking about how resistant some people are to any music beyond what they've always listened to.  Very common as people get older – but also somewhat common in young people with limited experience and exposure.  And why is this so?  Why are some people so resistant to anything new, different? 

•    Is it because ‘we’ve acquired so much knowledge that we can’t fit any more in’ ? 
•  tastes so set in cement that ‘we can’t try any new flavours’? 
•   views and beliefs so dogmatic that ‘we can’t open our minds to new thoughts and ideas’? 
•   convinced that ‘our way is the only way and nothing else counts’?

…or is it simply ‘fear of change’ that keeps some people locked in a prison of familiarity?

Challenging our attitudes, beliefs, tastes on an ongoing basis is what stops the rust from setting in.  Just like our wardrobes get clogged with junk if we don’t have a periodic clean out, so too does our thinking need a shake up now and then. 

Since I started writing music, I’ve tended to blur boundaries and challenge the pigeonholes of genre.  Young artists today are doing exactly that as a matter of course. So if you’re only listening to the music that fits into the tired old boxes, you’re missing out on a whole lot of wonderful new flavours, new tastes, and a whole lot of new views, thinking, ideas.
Think about it ....explore some of the contemporary music that's being created today.....explore a music genre that you've previously dismissed...who knows, it might give you a whole new perspective on life itself.  Music tends to do that!

Cruisin' into the new year

Well, a new year...a fresh start....wondering what 2012 is going to bring to me and where it's going to take me musically.  With some major projects now off my agenda I'm praying for patience to let new things unfold [not an easy task for me] so it's a relatively laid back start to the new year for me.
I've locked in some dates at the Royal Exchange Theatre in Newcastle {I LOVE that space!} for 3 shows/5 performances between March and July.  Check the "Projects" page of this blog to see what's coming up{well, in a few days - I haven't got to that page yet!}.  And of course, I'm expecting to release the new album UnderCovered in the next couple of months - I know, I know, I promised to have the artwork at least to show you this month...but believe it or not, I'm still waiting for my buddy to finalise the design into the template!! 

So in the absence of a piccie - can I tantalise you with the track titles?

1. Day is Done
   
2. Granny Hell RETITLED "PLAY"
   
3. Wise Woman
   
4. Carrying Burdens
   
5. Fancy That
6. Grey Day in Melbourne
   
7. Gemma's Song Retitled "WANNA BE"
   
8. All Dressed UP
   
9. That's How it Goes
   
10. Cover your Load
    
11. Sheri's Song Retitled "ENIGMA"
    
12. Dona Nobis Pacem

 More about the tracks in upcoming blogs.
In the meantime ....what do you think of the new design?  Any feedback is welcome.

Have a great 2012 yourself - more music to you
 

The HIghs and Lows of playing LIVE

OMG  ...you know, you go along your merry way thinking that all's well, then - when you least expect it -  the Universe pulls the rug out from under you .....and that's what happened at the Savoy Supper Club last week when I absolutely crucified my mini-set of 4 songs!!  Played 'em hundreds of times over half a dozen years then all of a sudden, out of the blue, my brain gets stuck in the logistics of the night and there was no room left to concentrate on my own music!!

It was a good shake-up wake-up call to remind me that she who tries to juggle too many balls at the one time without sufficient preparation is doomed to disaster!   So I just have to accept that when I'm in the drivers seat, I can't be navigator and chauffeured princess all at the same time.  Damn.  Guess performing is going to have to take a back seat for the next couple of months.  So is songwriting.

Now,  I just have to make note to myself .....2012 New Year's Resolution.......
dear Moz,  in 2012 let's get back to focusing on what YOU love to do best.  Instead of creating lots of opportunities for other musicians, let's concentrate on making and sharing YOUR music first.