Projects – Concluding and Beginning

10 Jun 2015 2 Comments

by Debra Manskey in Games, Inspiration, Merchandise, Music, Recording, Writing Tags: , , , , , , ,

As the snow piles up on the mountain and the days are getting noticeably shorter, it’s really good to have lots of projects on the go.

The Woman on the Edge of the World is foremost in my mind now, the art is kinda sorta in place and the liner notes are written. However, knowing me I’ll find something to edit in the next few days. Interestingly, I’ve maintained the original art work I produced to tag the digital download version, including my cover, featuring the Currie lighthouse on King Island.

Inner sleeve, ready for liner notes!

Inner sleeve, ready for liner notes!

It’s going to be a very limited run, 150 copies only (numbered and signed), so please contact me here or via the comments if you want to go on the pre-order list.

And today, I’ve just had a lovely lunch and meeting with friends, discussing a game project I’m writing narrative/screenplay for. It’s all in it’s very earliest stages, but really exciting, working with some very talented men and women who are equally passionate about games, art and storytelling.

Looking forward to a busy winter here in Tasmania!

Take care wherever you are,

Debra ❤

World Record Store Day 2015

16 Apr 2015 1 Comment

by Debra Manskey in Biography, Music, Performance Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Record Store Day 2015

Hi everyone,

Just a reminder wherever you are on this beautiful planet, go out this Saturday and support your local record store – it’s World Record Store Day! It doesn’t matter if you don’t have a turntable or even a CD player. The reality of running a bricks and mortar business in the 21st century means that you can buy not only CDs and vinyl at stores but also t-shirts, posters, books about musicians and other music related things.

I’m heading to one of Hobart’s hidden treasures, R & R’s Retro Music and Clothing Shoppe in the Imperial Arcade, off Collins Street in the city (shop 8/138 Collins Street, Hobart TAS 7000). The owners, Ross and Rhonda are much more than just business people. They’re truly passionate about music and in particular, supporting local Tasmanian artists. They have things in their shop that hark back to my misspent youth and my earliest times exploring the Tasmanian music scene as well as new work by emerging and established musicians. If you live outside Tasmania, call them to ask about their extensive catalogue (03) 6224 4891 or 61+3+6224 4891 if you’re overseas.

Anyway, Ross and Rhonda have kindly agreed to not only open their store this Saturday, but also host a showcase of very talented local musos – including me 🙂 If you’re in Hobart, I recommend you call in. It’s around the corner from my favourite book shop, Cracked and Spineless New and Used Books, who will also be open – just watch out for Mike and Richard dancing along with the rest of us 😉

For locals, if you’ve got any Wild Pumpkins at Midnight recordings, posters or memorabilia, please bring it along and I’m happy to sign it, coo over it and generally reminisce. Hopefully, see you there!

Debra ❤

And Now – Back to the Music!

08 Nov 2013 2 Comments

by Debra Manskey in Biography, Business, Downloads, Inspiration, Inspiration, Lyrics, Merchandise, Music, Performance, Recording, Singing Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,

After a little sojourn into urban farming and environmental concerns, today it’s back to the driving force in my life – music!

At the moment, I’m preparing to finish recording my next project, and it’s something completely foreign to me. After years of writing and playing my own songs, I’m recording an EP of other people’s songs. I started recording a couple of months ago and I now have five songs that I’m pretty pleased with as studio roughs. But I’d like to record one more and then start the mixing process.

Bertha & Blondie, ready for action!

Bertha & Blondie, ready for action

The concept is to record songs that have influenced my own songwriting and/or singing and believe me, the hardest thing has been narrowing it down to just six! In conversation with my musical partner-in-crime and studio whiz, Malcolm Battersby, “The Lucky Six” came up as a title. And I love it!

Also, it’s been my first opportunity to record in Mal’s new facility, The Belfry Studio, and what a delight that has been! The space is lovely and the equipment is excellent but I always love recording with Mal for a multitude of other reasons. We play together in The Fringe Dwellers so musically, we know each other very well. Everytime we get together, whether it’s for rehearsals, gigs or just a cuppa, we have a great time – we both have a similar mad sense of humour – but it’s his professionalism that shines through when I’m recording and he’s engineering.

We have a plan and generally, stick to it. He gives me space in the recording studio to get on with what I’m good at and doesn’t get in my way when I need time to consider my next move. He’ll make suggestions but not demands and knows exactly when to call a tea break. And his recording gear and microphones are good!

I anticipate “The Lucky Six” will be available as a digital download early in 2014. I’ll have links through this blog when we get it finished 😀

Some of the neighbours are a bit too cute but the view and the vibe is relaxed and lovely.

The Next Door Neighbour

The Next Door Neighbour

Personally, I think the Daleks in the control room are what really drives it and makes it perfection 😉

Cheers everyone,

Debra

Daleks keeping Jax in line in the control room

Daleks keeping an eye on Jax in the control room

The Woman On The Edge Of The World – A Review

14 Jun 2012 1 Comment

by Debra Manskey in Downloads, Merchandise, Music, Recording Tags: , , , , , , , ,

TWOTEOTW Front Cover

Below is a review of my latest album, which I released earlier this year. Reading it still gives me goosebumps – Matt’s review is extraordinarily generous!

If you’re interested in having a listen, “The Woman On The Edge Of The World” is available on my SoundCloud page. Individual tracks as well as the full album are available for purchase.

Sales have been very good but I’m currently looking at potential crowd-funding methods of releasing a physical CD & vinyl version, with posters and possibly art & lyric book.

I welcome your feedback 🙂

March 2012 Sauce Magazine Review

“The Woman on The Edge of The World”

Many would know Deb as the female vocalist from ARIA award winning Wild Pumpkins at Midnight or more recently as one half of the blues/roots Fringe Dwellers. Like her contemporaries, Deb had always enjoyed more recognition inEurope. Angie Hart and Monique Brumby have publicly acknowledged the importance of Manskey’s influence.

I won’t go into why it took 13 years to make this album but in many ways the songs tell so many beautiful stories of sadness and sorrow, perhaps it’s better to let the music tell the story.

This is a stripped back acoustic album, just vocal and guitar. “Drowning On Dry Land” is perhaps the most intense song on this album, far more intimidating than anything PJ Harvey, Sinead O’Connor or Patti Smith have ever committed to tape.
”Sandy Bay” is an un-mistakenly Tasmanian song, capturing feel of the suburb and referencing the landmarks, as John Lennon did when he sang the Rubber Soul era, “In My Life”. But it’s not an entirely miserable experience. “Mr Invincible” is a wonderful up-tempo slice of pop, as is “Beautiful Life”. This album has been a long time in the making, it might be more accurately described as a greatest hits album, no doubt the toughest decision was deciding which of the hundreds of great songs she wrote in its preparation to banish to the orphanage.

Manskey possesses one of the finest voices imaginable and if you buy this album you will discover, she is also one of the finest songwriters.

Matt Sertori