We are thrilled to be kicking up our heels for the festive season. This year has been an incredible journey for us and we look forward to seeing you in 2010! x x x
DORRIGO FOLK AND BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL
We had a fabulous time at the Dorrigo Folk and Bluegrass Festival, we met some delightful people and played two shows and presented two workshops that were heaps of fun. Thank you to Bridgette and all the organisers who put together the most intimate and connected festival we have performed at, it was certainly a real treat!
CLARE BOWDITCH - A FABULOUS SHOW AT BANGALOW, SEPTEMBER 27
On Sunday we opened for Clare and her band at the A and I Hall in Bangalow. It was a terrific show and we thank everyone who came out to be part of the intimate evening. We played our new song Honest With You and we also included (You make me feel like a) Natural Woman by Carole King in the set list. We had a lot of fun on stage and it was such a privilege to open for Clare and her band and the accapella singers fondly named the Lady Garden but really called Aluka, who accompanied her on this tour. The show was even reviewed, won't be long until we can post it for you to read...Check out Clare's new clip for her single The Start of War - it's awesome!
OCTOBER 18TH ON HOLD
After much consideration, we have decided to put a hold on our show in October. As you know, we are in the process of piecing together our very first film clip which is HUGELY exciting and we are working on our new record which is due for release in early 2010. We will be putting on an extraordinary show to mark the release of both the album and the film clip early next year and we cannot wait! We will be working with some very special guests and all will be revealed as soon as affectionately possible!
IN THE STUDIO FRIDAY 28TH AUGUST...
It's now dark outside and we have tracked drums, bass and piano for 2 songs.
It's sounding big, bigger than big, bigger than god knows what. Very exciting. M & N x x
Nerida, Geoff the drummer and Melia
Nerida and Anthony Lycenko, our engineer
Nerida and Anthony post piano take
IN THE STUDIO.. FRIDAY 28TH AUGUST Midday Update
Change of plans! Piano going down with the drums...Nerida and the black Yamaha; Geoff Green and his drums. Sounding great. So far so very good!
Nerida live in the Studio
Geoff in the studio
IN THE STUDIO...FRIDAY 28TH AUGUST 11am Update
So here we are - in the studio. Anthony and Angus are pulling up a great drum sound, and Geoff is sounding great! Reuben has been to tune the Yamaha grand that we will be playing, and boy is it lovely to be playing a grand again. We should be set to record the guide tracks shortly. Basically these are versions of the song that our drummer Geoff and bass player Eben will play along to. We shall then re-record the piano and vocals later on.
We have coffee and cherry ripes in abundance so all is well. Our aim today is to record three songs: This Time, The Passionfruit Song and Go Easy. We have had such a great time in pre-production - it will be amazing to hear it all come together. Time is of the essence though...so fingers crossed we play beautifully and get the take very quickly! We'll keep you posted...with Affection, M & N x
Studio 301, Byron Bay
Bass player Eben McCrimmon & Melia hard at work!
Nerida resorts to hand writing!
FINAL REHEARSAL!
So we had our final rehearsal this afternoon before we head into the studio tomorrow! So very, very exciting!
Eben and Melia in rehearsal mode!
RECORDING RECORDING RECORDING:
We are about to step into the studio to record new new new sounds. This is hugely exciting and we will be sharing moment by moment updates of this studio experience. We are feeling very thrilled to have this opportunity to put down some new new new songs and we would love feedback! Stay tuned!
BANGALOW MUSIC FESTIVAL:
Oh that beautiful Steinway...
The preview evening at the A & I Hall was absolutely beautiful on Thursday night. It was such a privilege to perform at such a special occaison and thanks to Festival Director Paul Dean, Michael Malloy, Leah Roland and all the performers and supporters who made the festival such a success. Special thanks to Bruce and the Steinway grand - it really was something else!! To all our friends who came along - thank you for your support and also your comments on our new song 'Honest with You' - what a way to debut a song! We would love to hear what you thought of our new song...so please let us know!
Nerida testing out the Steinway pre-show!
NEW SHOWS ANNOUNCED:
Exciting new shows have now been announced on our Scarlett Shows page - have your diary ready! We are particularly excited about performing at the Bangalow Music Festival in our hometown on Thursday 13th August. If you like to be swept away with the classics, then be sure to check out the program on the festival website. Head to Scarlett Shows for more details.
GUESS WHAT?
We are writing, writing and writing! Expect the new repertoire soon.
BANGALOW MUSIC FESTIVAL:
We have been invited to perform at the Bangalow Music Festival for 2009! We were so thrilled to perform last year - what a treat to be invited back. We know we said we wouldn't be performing until later in the year - but how could we resist such a beautiful, all acoustic show. We will be performing on Thursday 13th August in the Opening Concert.
ON THE MOVE!
We are moving! Our office will be closed until Monday 3rd August 2009. We are moving to our exciting new premises...For urgent Scarlett matter please phone 0405 781 501.
WORKSHOP ROUNDUP:
Clockwise from left: Nerida, Gaby, Hannah, Jane, Zoe & Melia
Clockwise from left: Melia, Rachel, Bridie, Dayna, Holly, Hannah, Celeste, Gracie & Cath
How talented is the Byron Shire?!! We were thrilled to work with some the Shire's most talented and gifted young performers and songwriters. Over the two days we heard incredible voices, personalities and stories through song. We are so inspired to have worked with each and everyone of you. We can't wait to work with you again...
Big thanks to all who attended, parents, Ben & Nicole, Corey, the A & I Hall and of course Mr Michael Malloy for your combined inspiration and generosity. We can't wait to do it all again in July for both Level 1 and Level 2.
In the meantime we are offering our One-on-One Musical Mentoring as part of our Inspiration Program. Please contact us for further details.
See you soon!
SUPPORTING RENEE GEYER:
We supported Australian Music Legend Renee Geyer on Sunday night at the Hotel Great Northern in Byron Bay. It was great fun - thanks to all who came out on such a chilly night...winter is well and truly on the way! Thanks to Red, Mike, Chris and of course Renee.
SCARLETT AFFECTION PRESENTS...
The 2009 Easter Holiday
Music Workshop Program
WORKSHOP 1 MORNING SESSION FULL
WORKSHOP 2 MORNING SESSION FULL
Melia & Nerida will inspire performers both young and old, when they present exciting Performance and Songwriting workshops throughout the Easter break.
If you love singing, have written a ditty or two or simply love to perform - then these fun workshops are for you.
Melia & Nerida will expand your imagination, build your confidence and help you discover your unique performance qualities. You will also learn some great insider tips from these professional performers.
For more information on the workshops please head to Scarlett Workshops.
THE BASEMENT, Sydney
We performed at the Basement, Sydney supporting the soulful Mark Wilkinson. What a beautiful evening - the lovely Jenny Queen warmed the room with her sweet songs and then Scarlett Affection hit the stage.
What a fun night!
...and how brilliant is that Steinway Grand Piano!
Our thanks to Mark, Jenny, Tim, Chris and all staff at the Basement.
Thankyou to our family and grandparents for making such an effort to be there - it was very special to have you in our audience.
We look forward to seeing you all in Sydney soon and big thanks to all who came out on a school night!
Cobargo Folk Festival
We have just returned from a most fabulous weekend at the Cobargo Folk Festival. It was our first visit to the festival and we were amazed at how helpful all the volunteers were and how the festival felt so relaxed and intimate. We had a thoroughly enjoyable time.
The response to our shows was quite overwhelming - we thank you for being such a beautiful audience. We look forward to returning to the South Coast later in the year.
Special thanks to Jennifer for the use of her Roland - we couldn't have performed without it! Thanks also to Billy, Jason, Johnny, Sue, Val, Coral and Graeme.
Film & Shows
We are busily editing together the footage from our tour...we will keep you posted when it is up and ready for public viewing!
Very exciting news...we will be performing at the BASEMENT, Sydney on Monday 2nd March. We will be supporting the lovely Mark Wilkinson...and it will be a beautiful evening. Tickets are available now. Please head to our Scarlett Shows page for more details.
Illawarra Folk Festival Cancellation
Apologies to all Illawarra Folk Festival punters we have had to cancel our appearance due to an unforseen family situation. We offer our deepest apologies to event organisers and to our friends south of Sydney. We encourage you all to attend the festival - as it really is an amazing and inspiring event. You can purchase tickets at the Festival Website.
Our next show down south will be at the Cobargo Folk Festival on the 20th, 21st and 22nd February. We hope to see you there. For more information please visit the Festival Website.
Welcome to 2009
Hello & Happy New Year!
Firstly we would like to wish you all the best for 2009 and thank you for your support throughout 2008.
2008 was a crazy year full of achievements, road-trips, challenges, music and of course incredible people. Our road-trips have included tours down to Sydney, Canberra and the NSW South Coast, the Gold Coast, Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast and most recently our Real, Raw & regional Tour to remote and regional western NSW supported by the Contemporary Music Touring Program. (You can check out 2008 on Scarlett Affection in 2008.)
In 2008 we supported some incredible artists including Madison Violet (CAN), Abby Dobson, Bluehouse, women in docs, David Helfgott, Stephen Cummings, Amy Pearson & Clare Bowditch. We have performed at some stellar events including the Illawarra Folk Festival, NORPA's Openings, International Women's Day, FEHVA, The Mullum Music Festival, The Bangalow Classical Music Festival, The Basement, The 2008 Byron Bay Writers Festival and Peats Ridge Festival 2008.
In 2008 we were: finalists in the 9th Annual Great American Songwriting Competition; were on television for the first time; went digital with iTunes; were featured in the Weekend Australian Magazine and we received a Contemporary Music Touring Grant from The Hon. Peter Garrett.
2009 is set to be a very different journey. After February, Scarlett Affection will take a short break from touring.
We will spend the first half of the year working to bring you a new record. We plan to be on the road again in July 2009 armed with our new songs!
Although we may make some guest appearances here & there, our main focus is to create a lovely, honest record that we hope will affect you. Fingers crossed!
Our best wishes to you for 2009!
with Affection,
Melia & Nerida
P.S See??? We haven't changed a bit!