By Ros Jason
Checking out the program on the way to MALDON FOLK FESTIVAL held in the historic VICTORIAN GOLD MINING TOWN it was clear from the get-go that here was a load of talent to explore.
New Zealand’s ALBI AND THE WOLVES instantly grabbed my attention during my pre festival research and I was rapt to see them in person in Maldon’s PROGRESS HALL on opening night.
This vibrant trio’s upbeat three part harmonies and catchy original songs on guitar, violin and double bass filled a tremendous set, covering tender ballads and toe tapping numbers. The gig was rounded out by a unique rendition of ‘Lonely Boy’ by the Black Keys, their own splendid flavor in the remix.
Earlier in the evening we had settled in on a drizzly night at the MALDON HOTEL for dinner and a couple of gigs. First up was SAORISE, a popular Celtic/ Folk band who charmed their audience with lilting Irish ballads, bright honest harmonies accompanied by guitar, fiddle, accordion and drum known as the Bodhran, and a jig or two.William Hutton of CLAYMORE was invited to jump up and join in and willingly took up the bodhran for a couple of numbers.I remember these spontaneous artist collaborations from the last festival, it’s such a friendly interactive experience. I was lucky enough to join a wonderful WORKSHOP with SAORISE and learnt a song with the chorus in Gaelic.It was so joyful to sing with this instantaneously formed community of songsters.
ENDA KENNY was up next as we enjoyed our hearty beef and Guinness pie and pub burger. It honestly felt like someone’s Nana had made dinner for us, it was so homey and tasty. Made all the better by the charming ballads and humorous yarns of this original song writing Maldon folk Festival regular.
Wandering over to outdoor venue the TROUBADOR, I was ushered in by the soothing voice of KHRISTIAN MIZZI who performs solo with his guitar and introduces his original pieces with amusing anecdotes, his voice immediately evoking whispers of Cat Stevens and Harry Chapin.I was so touched to hear him say that some years ago an audience member observed that his guitar was inferior and privately sponsored a handmade piece for him, to be delivered anonymously. He was playing it on stage as he spoke, and asked if anyone knew his generous benefactor or if indeed they were present, having contributed so enormously to his success by supporting him in that moment and providing him with a quality instrument. His multi talented sound engineer had personally made that exact guitar so MIZZI invited him up on stage to join him. A special moment.
MIZZI also collaborated with Aria nominee GREG CHAMPION(OAM)for a return to the SIXTIES and SEVENTIES FOLK CLUB session, a gorgeous singalong with classic songs including ‘California dreaming’,’He ain’t heavy,’’Castle in the sky’ and more.
There are abundant WORKSHOPS to choose from so I broke out my UKULELE and joined a fun session with the multitalented MUSIKE D’JOUR at the RSL CLUB. These warm BLUEGRASS/JUG JAZZ artists coached their flock for several songs in chord structure and lyrics, getting everyone playing along with their ukuleles, banjos, mandolins and guitars, creating the most wonderful feeling of community and shared love of singing and performing.
SMITH ALLEN PETERSEN from the USA ran a workshop on American old-time fiddling from the southern mountains. A dozen odd souls enthusiastically joined in, finessing their fiddle skills, scales and accuracy.Other workshops included SCOTTISH VOCAL SKILLS, OLD TIME BANJO PLAYING, IRISH DANCING, MORRIS DANCING, SONG WRITING and POETRY WORKSHOPS for children and adults and of course the FESTIVAL CHOIR, Celtic singing, gospel singing and much more.
Festival standout for me is the gifted sister duo CHARM OF FINCHES, Mabel and Ivy Windred-Wornes.Poignant lyrics, haunting cherubic melodies traversing..’melancholy and wonder in equal measure..’Every moment of their performance is perfection, their signature seamless ‘blood’ harmonies interconnecting in a deeply intimate and delicate cascade of sheer beauty.
Visiting the historic Maldon ANGLICAN CHURCH is always a joy and my first moments there were shared with the divine ensemble HARPERS BIZARRE. For the first time I ascended to the balcony in this stunning church built in 1861 and was impressed by the extraordinary acoustics. This local ensemble of talented harpists meets monthly, their repertoire including Latin based and Celtic tunes.I joined both the Anglican church and the Baptist Church as they hosted splendid GOSPEL SINGING SESSIONS on the festival Sunday attended by locals and visitors alike.
TINMAN weave their magic with cheeky banter and delicious a cappella moments accompanied by guitar, piano accordion harmonica and ukulele.Workshop participants were invited up to join in singing the song taught that morning; so much joy in sharing this special moment with the artists. TINMAN’S catchy rendition of old favorite ‘Darling Clementine’ gave rise to an invitation to all of us to sing along. Having missed group singing during the last years, it is so warming to share this communal moment with like-minded souls.
SADIE MUSTOE, solo with her guitar held us all spellbound throughout her folk-indie pop set, her delicately modulated voice wrapped around original melody and fresh lyrics.
MICHAEL WAUGH gripped my heart from the moment his set began.His stunning catalogue of songs ..’insightful tributes to friends family and parenthood are simultaneously deeply personal and nationally recognizable..’Raw, brave and unfiltered, his vulnerability and great gift of giving voice to the human condition took my breath away, and I had the chance to tell him later as we shared a deep long hug.I opened up about some of my own grief as he had shared his sorrow having recently lost a family member.The artists are so accessible here, one can share a personal moment, as they are often available straight after their gig selling albums and MERCHANDISE, signing autographs and happy to have a chat.
Several artists new material was deeply heartfelt.I wonder if this is due to the intensity of lockdowns. When everything else is stripped away and you’re alone with your thoughts in a stillness that we’ve never experienced as a community, profound realizations bubble up to the surface and there’s nowhere to hide. Returning to the light and warmth of personal contact with their audience provides artists with a long-awaited outlet and opportunity for connection.
RICH DAVIES and THE LOW ROAD’S acoustic set in the church was atmospheric as always, his brilliant band on double bass, violin, piano accordion, percussion and ‘five part gang vocals’ so much the backbone of his act as he humbly exclaimed. He too spoke of his sorrow at the loss of his brother as expressed in his wrenching original song ‘Grief’, itself a rasping heartbreaking cry into the night.DAVIES bombastic style more tender and considered, his talent though, full blown in his inimitable showmanship. The Scottish influence fills the ‘folk’n roll’ set with passion, the banter always a hoot, the storytelling taking us on a journey with festival fave, ‘DIRT UNDER MY NAILS’; the audience joining in to fill the space with full voice.
There’s nothing like a night with CLAYMORE to round out a fantastic festival day. Their Scottish Celtic original songs connect with their audience as they implore everyone to get up and dance!The finale is demanded by the crowd, it has to be ‘Long Way to the top’, good old AC/DC and RICH DAVIES obliges by jumping up on stage and smashing the lyrics with his mate lead singer of CLAYMORE, WILLIAM HUTTON. Bagpipes in the mix, very much the signature sound of this exuberant bunch.
I was already hooked on LOREN KATE before her gig began, courtesy of her stunning YouTube ‘Nobody knows’.This sensitive artist wears her heart on her sleeve and shares her journey through anxiety, mental health issues and parenting in her exquisitely voiced and musically sublime original pieces. Her song titled ‘Tick Tock’ embraces her experience of a panic attack with a powerful line which struck me like lightning; ‘there’s a thousand voices in my mind and I don’t know which one is mine’.. Courageous writing that undoubtedly resonates with members of her audience.In her gig at the NEIGHBORHOOD CENTRE she invited the wildly gifted CHARM OF FINCHES to join her on stage and it literally blew my mind. The melding of these three mellifluous voices in exquisite tumbling undulating harmonies was beyond expectation.They completed the set with a uniquely interpreted version of GOANNA’S ‘Solid Rock’; delicate, touching, gently defiant.
The HAND CRAFTED INSTRUMENT DISPLAY at the COUNTRY FIRE AUTHORITY exhibited many beautiful items.I was so impressed by the workmanship and detail in the mandolins, guitars, ukuleles, ocarinas and more. These gifted makers work with inlaid mother-of-pearl and create the metal trimmings for the instruments, forming lustrous timber such as blackwood into the most exquisite pieces.There were octave mandolins and F style mandolins, the most painstakingly formed instruments that not only contribute such resonance to a performance but also in their handsome styling.
Approaching the hall I could hear a gravelly voice so reminiscent of American country singer Johnny Cash it was a bit spooky.This however is an original Australian voice, MICK COATES AND THE SHALLOW GRAVEDIGGERS creating a gritty atmospheric sound with slide guitar and double bass, quite standalone in the lineup.
With all this activity one must EAT and we enjoyed a few yummy MEALS including scrumptious chicken parmigiana at the KANGAROO HOTEL.We sat outside and had the fragrant smoke from the logfire wafting towards us as a group of performers behind us were rehearsing, and inside a group gathered for informal jamming.Lovely to be surrounded by this warm country pub feel.
Outside the main Progress Hall was a kranski and hotdog stand and I sampled some delicious gourmet sandwiches on the HIGH STREET from a couple of CAFES and the BAKERY whose barmbrack loaf really delivered with loads of fruit and a lovely sourdough flavor.Also of note was the FUDGE and ICE-CREAMERY.Lots of samples to be had of in-house made fudge including watermelon, malteser, and moreish lemon meringue. Of special note, the enlivening tang of passion fruit and blood orange sorbets.Locally produced WARRAL MALDON HONEY complimented my first cuppa as we arrived home tired but happy, a rich full bodied aromatic honey.Crisp local beers were on tap at the pubs and local wines also available everywhere. I sampled GINGER BEER at the amazingly quirky MECHANICS MUSEUM which hosted many festival gigs. Made locally by GINGER KID, it smacked of ginger and was very refreshing. The museum CAFE offered burgers, soup and scrumptious Devonshire tea with freshly baked scones.
Irish born GALLIE’S set held moments for me of Neil Diamond and Bruce Springsteen as he shared his captivating repertoire on guitar, accompanied by double bass.His rendition of ‘Wild Mountain Thyme’ was simply magical. I hold this song dear having learnt it with my choir some years ago, a treasured favorite.
MATT GLASS, THE WEEPING WILLOWS, KAURNA CRONIN, HANNAH SCHMIDLI, SARA AND SILAS, so much talent including LEROY JOHNSON AND THE WATERBAG BAND whose campfire songs and ballads featuring mandolin didgeridoo and double bass blend ancient and contemporary stories highlighting connection to country.
Open mic BEERGARDEN CHALKBOARD SESSIONS at the MALDON HOTEL where anyone can jump up and have a go are popular as are the JAM SESSIONS that happen spontaneously at the KANGAROO HOTEL throughout the day and night, and the POETRY BREAKFAST SLAMS each festival morning.
Plenty of SHOPPING OPPORTUNITIES to be had along the main street near the various venues. A beautiful HANDMADE CERAMICS shop at the top of the street, the bakery, cafes and further along are several beautiful HOMEWARES SHOPS, a boutique featuring VINTAGE LINEN doilies, chemises and pillowcases delicately embroidered. Also FASHION and VINTAGE CLOTHING boutiques to explore in between gigs.I wandered through a lovely POP UP ART GALLERY and there was an ART SHOW on the way to the VINTAGE MACHINERY MUSEUM.
This strikingly original GOLD MINING TOWN holds much of HISTORICAL INTEREST and plenty to explore including GUIDED WALKS and the MALDON INFORMATION CENTRE stocked with pamphlets.
So good to be back bumping into mates from last time and making new friends and connections.There are plenty of quiet moments for intent listening, having a go at learning an instrument or a dance, even trying out a song in a new language. Loads of gigs to choose from..and there is partying to be had so something for everyone in this satisfying package that is the MALDON FOLK FESTIVAL.
