THANKS FOR A GREAT YEAR!
It wasn’t that long ago that we were being introduced onstage as “up-and-coming”. We never quite knew what to make of this: coming to where? Over the years (and as folk musicians), we’ve discovered that success is measured by how fulfilled we (and the audience) are by the music, and by the company that we keep. In these regards we’ve been incredibly lucky.
Things have changed since the “up-and-coming” days. Life as a parent of young children is thick with routine, with the slow shift of priorities, with the re-shaping of life already lived. The threads of the past that survive the prioritisation must be strong to jostle for position alongside these new human beings and their wants, needs, mess, nappies, gorgeous smiles and fragile hearts.
2015 has felt like some kind of arrival, perhaps at a milestone – but it’s the success of creating a work that mirrors, through folksong and with honesty, what it is to be empassioned, informed, exhausted harmony-singing folk musician mothers in 2015. This feels like a big achievement! The album “Declaration”, and its reception, feel strangely like a celebration of hopeful light shining on hard things.
What’s happened in 2015? The recording and production of “Declaration”, with its many months of collaboration with producer Luke Plumb coming to fruition with album launches at the National Folk Festival in Canberra, Candelo Village Festival, and the Spotted Mallard in Melbourne. We’re so grateful to everyone who has helped us by listening, buying, sending messages, giving us airtime on radio, making cups of tea, cuddling children, and writing reviews.
A special thank you to those at ABC Radio National who have given us so much time throughout the year (in particular Paul Gough, Geoff Wood & Lucky Oceans) – and Frank Gutch Jnr of No Depression (USA), Blues & Roots Radio, fRoots magazine (UK) and Fatea Magazine (UK), Tony Hillier (The Australian) and Bernard Zuel (Fairfax). There are so many across the world who have started to feel like part of the “Declaration” family.
We recently had a lovely time at Major’s Creek Festival, one of our original stomping grounds. Our families came along for the ride – this year Kate’s kids turned 2 and 4, and Ruth’s son turned 5. Our partners also had a busy 2015 – Bill Jackson released a new album recorded in Melbourne and recorded another in Nashville, USA, and Pete Wild released one live album, with two more in production – a studio album with The Only Ones (produced by Kate), and a live Kate & Pete duo album.
2016 will see Kate & Ruth at Newstead Live (Vic), Port Fairy Folk Music Festival (Vic), St Albans Folk Festival (NSW) and the Top Half Folk Festival (NT).
Keep an eye on the website, and follow us on social media for updates. We’ve just done some updates on our Bandcamp site too: we’re offering a Christmas package (get in quick if you want to make the Christmas post)! Our entire discography is also now available to download in one hit.
https://kateburkeandruthhazleton.bandcamp.com
Lastly - Thanks so very, very much for being there with us – old friends and new! Happy and safe holidays to you and yours, and keep a thought in your hearts for those out there in need. May 2016 be a year of peace.
Loads of love,
Kate & Ruth
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