22 Nov 2013
by Debra Manskey
in Biography, Business, Inspiration, Music, Performance, Singing, Writing
Tags: Australia, Australian Songwriters Association, Cassie O'Keefe, Debra Manskey, Inspiration, Jax, live m, Malcolm Battersby, NaBloPoMo, original music, Richmond Festival, Tasmanian original music, Tasmanian songwriters, The Fringe Dwellers
Now that I’ve finished recording The Lucky Six, it’s time to spend a little attention on two live shows I’ve got in the immediate future.
Firstly, this Sunday 24th November, my partner in mayhem and music – Malcolm Battersby – is joining me for The Richmond Festival. We’re performing as The Fringe Dwellers at the Songwriters’ Concert and we’re both looking forward to it immensely! There’s some great Tasmanian songwriters on the bill with us, Marc Smith, Peter Hicks and the wonderful Wolf Arrow Rain.
If you’re in southern Tasmania, it’s worth the trip out to Richmond. It’s a lovely little hamlet and I have it on good authority that the weather should be fine after a damp morning…….
In December, it will be ten years since the Australian Songwriters Association (Tasmania) reignited at The Telegraph Hotel. Apart from making me feel really old, it’s fabulous to see how many performers from those days are still playing in venues here in Tasmania as well as interstate and overseas. In honour of the occasion, a very special ASA night is planned for Wednesday 11th December at The Night Owl Cafe in Liverpool Street, Hobart. The best part for me is that students of mine, Cassie O’Keefe, Kirsty Leaf and the fabulous Jax will all be performing, along with myself and Mal.
I couldn’t be prouder!
13 Nov 2013
by Debra Manskey
in Biography, Composition, Inspiration, Inspiration, Music, Recording, Urban Farming, Vegetable Gardening, Writing
Tags: Australian music, Australian National Broadband Network, container gardening, Debra Manskey, growing basil, Inspiration, NaBloPoMo, original music, professional musician, rain, reading, recordings, singer/songwriter, Tasmanian music, Tasmanian original music, Tasmanian songwriters, urban farming, Writing
My Drowning Plaster Bird
It’s raining – again or still – my brain is suffering from rising damp I think. The chickens are lurking under their shade table or in their coop to dry and keep dry and tempers are short in my little bunny kingdom.
Meanwhile, I still have no solid internet connection but I’ve still managed to keep NaBloPoMo going – haven’t missed a day so far! And I’ve just uploaded my final assignment to a Preparation for University Study course through Open University Australia. I’ve been really surprised and heartened by my results – but the real fun starts later this month when I begin my first proper online unit through Griffith University in Queensland.
I had a phone call yesterday, and the NBN are booked to come to my house tomorrow to wire in our new fibre connection. I cannot to begin to tell you all how happy that makes me! Above all, this will enable me to teach via Skype to anyone who has a solid internet connection. As well, I’ll be able to do my online uni studies without having to resort to leaching net connections from family and friends or docking to my mobile phone connection. (I hate to think what my bill is going to be this month!)
In the greenhouse, I’ve been incredibly pleased with how everything’s still growing despite the ridiculous weather we’re having here in Tasmania. I planted Basil seed some time ago and pricked out seedlings into egg cartons to grow them on quickly and give me a chance to pot them up without any further disturbance of their roots.
Basil from Egg Cartons
It’s a neat method and I find it gives seedlings a better start. As you can see from the picture below, the Lettuce Leaf Basil has certainly taken off well!
How the Basil Grows!
But sadly, the front balcony, which serves as my winter salad garden, is suffering badly from the wet weather. I think the only plants that are thriving are the watercress – funny that! Hopefully, we’ll get some more seasonal warm (and dry!) weather soon, so I’ll be able to collect the seed for next year’s crops.
The Balcony Garden
There will be little or no gardening today. Reading, songwriting (another song about the rain?), more recording preparation and plenty of cups of tea for me I think! Have a great day folks wherever you are 😉
11 Nov 2013
by Debra Manskey
in Biography, Business, Merchandise, Music, Recording, Singing, Writing
Tags: Australian music, debut recording, Facebook, Inspiration, NaBloPoMo, original music, professional musician, Tasmania, Tasmanian original music, Tasmanian songwriters
Just a very quick update today about my friend and fellow musician Jax.
The Gorgeous Jax
Her debut Mini Album “These Things” is selling well and now there’s a Facebook Fan Page for her! And, southern Tasmania readers please note, Jax will be performing at the Australian Songwriters Association Tasmania big bash in December. (Details coming soon!)
As I’ve said to a few people this morning, get in early, be ahead of the trend, like this page, buy her music – this woman’s got it 😉
Jax – “These Things” Mini Album
03 Nov 2013
by Debra Manskey
in Inspiration, Merchandise, Music, Recording
Tags: Australian music, debut recording, emerging artists, Jax, original music, professional musician, singer/songwriter, Tasmanian music, Tasmanian original music
Jax “These Things”
A very quick post about a very exciting thing!
My dear friend (and former student) has finally released her first recording. Entitled “These Things”, it’s available for preview and purchase here
I can’t begin to tell you how proud I am of this incredibly talented young woman, who’s fought so hard to follow her dream.
Now, go check it out 😉
21 Oct 2013
by Debra Manskey
in Music, Performance
Tags: Australian music, live music, music, original music, performance, professional musician, Tasmania, Tasmanian music, Tasmanian original music
Very pleased to announce that I’m playing a set this week with exciting new talent, Cassie O’Keefe. This Thursday at Casbah Cafe, Liverpool Street, Hobart, Tasmania, AU.
Also, The Australian Songwriters Association are celebrating their 10th anniversary on Wednesday 11th December (also at Casbah Cafe). As one of the performers from ten years ago, I’m very pleased to be on the bill again, along with some of my students.
Check my Facebook page closer to the date for set times.
Take care all
😀
17 Aug 2013
by Debra Manskey
in Music, Recording, Singing
Tags: Australian music, original music, singing, studio recording, Tasmanian music, Tasmanian original music
It’s the end of winter in Tasmania but there’s a hint of spring in the air – mostly in the blustery wind yesterday! And I’m at Murdunna, sitting in front of a wood fire, contemplating yesterday’s recording and thinking about the work ahead.
I’ve decided (first time ever!) to record an EP of covers plus some separate draft tracks for my next solo album.
Strangely, I find it harder to record other people’s work than my own. Perhaps it’s the recognition factor? I don’t know.
Nevertheless, it’s great to be recording again with Malcolm Battersby engineering.
It’s a special kind of home ♡
25 Jun 2013
by Debra Manskey
in Music, Performance, Teaching
Tags: Australian music, live concert, live music, live performance, mentoring, music, music education, original music, performance, singer/songwriter, singing, Tasmanian music, Tasmanian original music
On Stage at Casbah Cafe
As a songwriter and performer, I think there’s nothing better than actually getting on a stage and plying my craft. But as a teacher, there’s nothing better than to see the results of my work, as a student stands on a stage for the first time.
Mentoring can take so many different forms in creative arts. Some of the most productive things can come out of a casual chat over coffee rather than a formal session. Just a quiet word from the right person has been like gold sometimes, reassuring me that my path is true. I’ve found particular people who’ve been wonderful in assisting me in areas that I didn’t have that much knowledge in, such as finance and bookkeeping, understanding how the live music industry can be radically different in non english speaking countries and the never-ending ferris wheel of public liability insurance.
Sometimes it’s been as simple as an exchange of networks or as complex as a full “how to” on a particular area – but I suggest don’t feel compelled to act on all advice given! In my opinion, the best mentors always will say “well, that’s my thoughts but it’s your decision”, rather than “you must do this”!
No matter how you go about it, it’s important. Singer/songwriters are for the most part involved in a solitary existence, both a creators and performers. We stand on the stage alone, singing songs we wrote alone. Outside input, particularly from folks who’ve done or are still doing similar things can be gold!
Recently, I had the joy of mentoring one of my students Cassie O’Keefe. We played on the same bill at Casbah Cafe’s regular Women Songwriters’ night in Hobart and it was (as Cassie put it) her first grown up gig. Yes, she made mistakes but she carried herself onstage with honesty and dignity and has learned a great deal from the experience.
At 17, this girl has a wonderful future ahead of her as a performer and songwriter and if you’re in Hobart next month, Cassie will be playing again at Casbah Cafe on Thursday 11th July.
Cassie at Casbah Cafe
For me, mentors have been a part of my entire life and have taken many guises. I attribute a lot of my success to good advice and assistance from people who have and still care about my professional development. I’m interested in hearing your stories about mentoring too – let me know what you think. For me it’s the stuff that makes the road just that much easier and makes my world go round.
Take care and see you soon,
Deb 😀
18 Nov 2012
by Debra Manskey
in Business, Festivals, Music, Performance
Tags: Australian music, community arts festivals, Fantasy Authors, Joe Abercrombie, live music, music business, original music, Tasmanian music, The First Law Trilogy
It’s all been at my doorstep recently, wherever I turned there was something to see, do, attend, revel in – and this was just in and around Hobart!
Last weekend there was wonderful community-building The Works Festival at Glenorchy, Music Tas’ Amplified Festival (that I was very proud to be involved in with The Fringe Dwellers). The previous week we had Synesthesia at MONA and the Tasmanian Breath of Fresh Air Film Festival…… and a visit from Joe Abercrombie – one of my favorite writers.
For the uninitiated, he’s the author of six books all set (so far) in a world not too dissimilar from our own in the late middle ages or early renaissance . The First Law Trilogy (1. The Blade Itself, 2. Before They Are Hanged, 3. Last Argument Of Kings) is an epic, humorous, brutal and twisting introduction to this guy’s universe – and I wouldn’t recommend it to the squeamish! Best Served Cold (my personal favorite), The Heroes and recently released Red Country are stand alone novels that include characters from the trilogy.
Apart from the fact he writes really well, he’s also quite a charming young man and has a family to feed – go buy his books 🙂
The delightful Joe Abercrombie
13 Oct 2012
by Debra Manskey
in Music, Performance, Singing, Touring
Tags: Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Australian music, Australian radio, live music, mural art, north west Tasmania, original music, performance, professional musician, Sheffield Tasmania, singing, Tasmania, Tasmanian music
Sheffield Spring
A couple of weeks ago I had a brilliant time doing the roadtrip thing up to Launceston and further to Sheffield. The weather was typical Tasmanian spring – balmy and warm to torrential rain, thunderstorms and snow in the space of three days!
Chris Ball
Had a great catch up with old friends at the ABC in Launceston and did a pre-record of an interview for their Drive program with Hilary Burton. I don’t care to think how many years it’s been since I last caught up with Andrea and Chris – of course we haven’t aged a day…… We talked about my current projects – the solo album “The Woman On The Edge Of The World” and The Fringe Dwellers’ debut outing “After Time” and I played a few songs from both.
Andrea O’Connor
Sadly, Hilary took ill the next day and the interview didn’t go to air as planned but they put it up on the ABC Northern Tasmania site in their blog section – along with some gorgeous words from Chris. I’m sure I’ll be heading back up north soon and will revisit the ABC studios! After a quick catch-up in town with my beautiful son I had a great night with Launceston friends Matt Sertori and Michaela Young (aka Butterscotch Pony). Matt’s latest venture is a new magazine “Spleen” which is about to hit Tasmanian streets but I’ll talk further about that in a future post.
Friday came around with unrelenting rain throughout the morning, so I trundled on up the extremely wet highway to Sheffield and the gig. It’s been years since I’ve been through this part of the state and I definitely recommend it to anyone – visitor or resident. Despite the rain, it’s a beautiful part of the planet and Sheffield in particular is really geared towards tourists and travelers.
After a beautiful lunch at the Blacksmith Gallery (the home of Skwiz) the rain stopped, the clouds parted and out came the sun again – just in time for me to take my new camera (Wayne) out for a stroll. Sheffield is billed as the town of murals, and they hold an annual festival that brings mural artists and tourists from all over.
One of the murals in the main street
The murals are interesting and varied and even though many weren’t to my taste I think it’s brilliant to find a town in rural Australia that has a park dedicated to such an artform. Also quite a few of the shops have embraced the form and it makes for a much more interesting streetscape. It’s also one of the friendliest towns I’ve visited. Locals were happy to help, provide directions – and bargains! There’s a fantastic op shop just off the main street, where everything is bargain price and the staff are lovely. Â Only 23kms from Devonport on the north west coast, I highly recommend the detour if travelling on the ferry from Melbourne.
Meanwhile, it was time to get back and set up for the gig….. and of course,
Audience moving in and drying off!
weather closed in again. This time there was thunder, lightning and torrential rain, and still people braved the elements! I met some great folks that night and reacquainted myself with a few more! I ended up playing for over two hours, telling stories and having a really lovely time. I really wish I could have transported the venue and the audience down to Hobart. There really aren’t enough listening venues – and audiences to match – anymore.
Doing my thing. Photo by Greg Eyre
They are one of the things solo artists adore, people who want to hear the songs! Allen Stott who organises the gig on behalf of the Friday Night Folk mob does a great job. In fact, everyone involved was wonderful to me and I thank them all sincerely. I was billeted out to Dianne whose property is at the base of Mt Roland. She and her son were so hospitable….. there was even good coffee in the morning! And because it’s Tasmania and springtime, there was also snow on Mt Roland!
All in all, a really great weekend away – going to have to do it again soon!
Mt Roland
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Debra Manskey 