Julie Matthews on six degrees of separation
Julie Matthews writes:
Chris While and I head back to
It's not just about the sun and sea, (though a little of each would be great right now), it's about the wonderful friends and community we meet there. The festivals, though highly professional and big, seem to somehow pull off a more intimate feel and we always end up interacting with other musicians more than we do here at the
I guess the reason for that could be when you play an Australian festival, you're booked for the four days (As opposed to the one hit and run we tend to do here) and so hang out with all the other artists. Before you know it, all kinds of combinations start appearing on stage, you're playing with old friends you haven't seen for ages or creating exciting performances with new ones. It's like the six degrees of separation theory, you're never more than a few steps away from someone you've worked with before or would like to work with in the future.
A perfect example was the last time we played Port Fairy Festival. Mary Black was on the bill and though I know Mary because she'd covered one of my songs, I'd never had the opportunity to play with her. On day three, Mary invited Chris and I on stage and we did a unique version of that song, 'The Thorn upon the Rose'. It was magical.
I'd love to see more of that happen here, with the wealth of amazing talent that graces our festival stages each year imagine the wonderful combinations we could see.
Maybe you've seen some of those impromptu collaborations yourselves, if so I'd love to see your posts. Alternatively, why don't you post your idea of a dream team; who would you like to see jamming together for the first time.
Bring on the entire weekend booking and set into motion those six degrees...
Julie
CommentsSign in
You need to sign in to contribute to this page. If you're new to BBC Blogs, creating your membership is quick and easy.
hi Julie - ideal line up - I think I'd love to hear a session with you and chris wth Eric Bibb maybe -. I used to follow him around until I discovered your music. Its so great to hear about your forthcomig meeting with Gil won Ok. am looking forward to hearing about that meeting and to hearing the song in full. After being in bristol part of your choir (what a privilege) I read harrowing story of gil and have been following case ever since. I meet alot of women in my work who have experienced violence. it leaves terrible scars and often these women can't talk about it because they feel so ashamed when they have done nothing wrong. all power to you for being part of raising profile of this cause for justice so their story will get heard. I love your songs. they are honest, challenging and leave a feeling of hope. I have shared some of the wonderful images in your songs with these people I meet and I know they are encouraged. I'm very glad you didn'tlisten to that person who said you shouldn't write about such issues.
Complain about this comment
I'd love to hear you and Chris jamming with Janis Ian. - No one else's songs have touched my heart the way the two of you and Janis have.
That would be a dream!
Donate
Complain about this comment
View these comments in RSS