Around the world and back again!
This time last year I was on my way to Brisbane airport - I left for the UK at 2am on 1 January to complete Femina Australis in London with the wonderful Chris Kimsey & the most awesome team of musicians anyone could wish for… this was a dream come true for me, and a month later I returned home with an album I am proud of! Other parts of the dream then came together and I independently released Femina Australis on 30 June 2016 with my band at The Arts Centre Gold Coast, followed by Sydney & Melbourne. I’m proud of the book the album is presented in, and that 11 of the 15 songs have been played on radio and received favourable reviews.
But really this journey of taking Australian Women’s History back to the people in song is only just begun, and there are some great adventures being planned for 2017… starting in March… More later!!!!
But 2016 has been an amazing year in other ways too… my daughter Arwen, aged 10, bought a wild Guy Fawkes yearling in June, and now 7 months later he, Ember, has grown into a beautiful, gentle, well behaved, gorgeous 2 year old horse. Excited with her success, in November I bought myself a completely un-handled brumby mare - who gave birth to a foal 6 days after I brought her home! Now Muluuna (meaning: “from far away”) is being led around in a halter, whilst her daughter Poppy adores to be scratched by us humans.
Whilst on the subject of animals, one of my 11 chickens just hid and hatched 13 chicks, so I have proof my rooster is, um, busy…. whilst my dogs seem to have rehearsed a howling chorus to sing for all visitors!
My 12 year old son Elvis is a seriously amazing guitarist and it’s a joy to be working with him in the band… my eldest son Monte wrote the stories behind the songs of Femina Australis with me - very special these collaborations with my children. I’m also watching my middle son, Hadrian, play piano & write songs these days… and Arwen… I’m sure you will be hearing them before long (says proud mama!) :-) Yes of course all my kids are incredibly talented!!!!! :-)
I am so grateful for my children and my wonderful husband Gregga, and we were blessed to have a beautiful peaceful Christmas with my parents… very very special!
But 2016 has been such a sad year as to the passing of some of my mentors… David Bowie was the one that hit me the hardest - my biggest influence. I was in the studio with Chris Kimsey at the time I heard, and became immersed in the reminisced memories of Chris, who was assistant engineer on Diamond Dogs.
So now it’s time for 2017 to begin… what will it bring?
Let’s lift our faces to the moon and our glasses to the stars: Happy New Year!!!
Let 2017 be full of love & goodness.
With gratitude & much love,
Maryen xxxxxxx