By Fiona Lander
As our 40 date Autumn Tour draws to a close, we look back at the highs and lows of the travelling musician at this time of year.
Without a doubt, one of the highlights has been ‘Highlights’ itself. This is the name given to the rural touring scheme in the North East and ....Cumbria..... (There are around 40 of these scattered around the ....UK....). When we were offered 10 village hall dates back in the Spring, we had no idea just how much we’d enjoy them! In fact we don’t want it to end! Several have been completely sold out, with audiences of between 50 and 100 packed in for the night. There’s something quite special about these events which take place just twice a year. In the smaller communities, it has actually felt like the whole village has turned out for the night. Fantastic…and great to see kids there too! So with much positive feedback from both audience and organisers, we are hungry for more of this type of work – it’s hard work but very rewarding indeed.
Having driven from Northumberland down to the South coast 3 times in less than 8 weeks (bad planning I know), we have been fortunate to have seen the Autumn colours developing magnificently across the country. It’s felt like one long extended Autumn for us and with so little rain, it’s been perfect for touring with Sweep (our border collie). The biggest downside to travelling at this time of year is that the days are much shorter. You spend most of the day on the road then see virtually nothing when you arrive! Fine if you know the place but frustrating when it’s new territory. (I was really looking forward to seeing Broadstairs and Masham!) Just have to go back sometime…
Gig wise, there are too many to mention by name but highlights have been Woodworks Festival, supporting While and Matthews at Forest Folk, Dartford Folk Club, The Wynd Theatre and our very own album launch at Hexham Abbey Festival! We also particularly enjoyed playing to an intimate crowd at The Square and Compass, Worth Matravers and then more formally at Bournemouth Folk Club. Both terrific venues in their own way! As we headed back north, Masham Arts Festival was another little gem. This week-long festival over Half Term happens every other year and hosts a wonderfully different selection of events…ghosts stories round the fire….instrument making with vegetables to name but a few! Of course there are loads of art and musical events too. It’s very much a community project with over 90 volunteers! We were impressed.
On a different tack and definately not a highlight…constant wear and tear on the van, combined with an overlooked annual service, resulted in a worrying and very slow drive up the A1 from ..North Yorkshire... We only just made it to the next venue but with a flat battery and failing lights, we were forced to stay overnight at a friends house just 20 miles from home! Thankfully it was a cracking gig to a sell out crowd with bumper CD sales, so our spirits remained high! Once at the garage… turned out the alternator had packed up too. Thank goodness we were almost home. Could have so easily happened in Dorset!
Late nights go with the job and are to be expected, but 7 full gigs on the trot is exhausting and not to be recommended…especially when you’re doing all the driving and PA yourselves…not to mention dog walking!
Thank goodness for YOGI TEA! Without their fabulous Throat Comfort variety (of which I have many boxes) we probably wouldn’t have got through the Tour. Definitely a must for all serious singers!
Finally…I must mention my new best friend….introducing Blackberry! There’s nothing nicer than discovering you’ve sold a CD whilst sitting in a traffic jam on the M25!