The Waifs Newsletter

Hi! Well, despite rarely hearing from us, we have been quite busy lately, mainly with a few shorts tours and most importantly, the new album. We are in the process of nutting out the details, mixing, track selection, artwork........ It's been so long since we had to make joint decisions and it's never a simple process with us.

Both Donna and I are in the USA, States apart, Josh in NSW, Dave in Canada and Ben in Perth, so emails and sound files are flying around the world on a daily basis while Philip, our Manager, tries to consolidate it all and get it ready for a release, which I believe has been set down for August in Australia. It's all very exciting!!! Well, I'M having fun with it, arguing this and that, ' the guitar's are too loud, bring up the vocals', 'no way the guitar drives the song, leave it UP', Naaaa, 'louder vocals', etc ... etc ... back and forth.

Recorded in Nashville Tennessee in February at Compass Records, co-produced by Garry West, head of Compass Records. It's to be named 'Sun, Dirt, Water', a reference to the three elements in the band that come together to create the songs and grow the seed.

It was great experience to get back on the road with all the kids in tow. We were a little rusty onstage at Womadelaide in March, not having playing for 6 months. The highlight for us was having Kev Carmody onstage with us, singing 'From Little Things, Big Things Grow', a song we recorded for the Kev Carmody Tribute Album. A great song that tells the story of an important event in the history of our country. Kev is a humble and gracious bloke, and a beautiful writer For the cream of Australian artists showcasing one of Australia's best songwriters, check out the tribute album. . . . . . . .

We received an overwhelming response at the West Coast Blues and Roots Festival in Fremantle in early April. Nothing like a home crowd to get down with. The kids put in their first appearance at that show - we had no idea they were on the big screen Send us your photos!!! Frankie got the gig, though, and invited himself onstage in Melbourne and Byron Bay for a tambourine solo. Noah had some harp action going, and Elijah mostly just drooled and looked cute.

From the first mention of The Waifs opening for Keith Urban, I thought it was an odd coupling and wasn't sure how we'd be received. But it was a great time had by y'all and we didn't do too badly, despite Dave not being able to drum with us for the first shows. Nicky Bomba stepped in at short notice, all smiles and groove, and our 'hip' factor was improved, having some dreads on stage again. Not sure if the country music fans appreciated it, but I was feelin' it in the one drop.

For those of you who follow these sorts of things, Keith, band and crew were all really nice blokes. Even Nicole dropped by one night to say "Hey". Even the non-Keith fans in our posse were impressed by his show, particularly the effort he went to, to personalise the performance, including "Meet and Greet" sessions backstage every night. I reckon it would be all too easy to become reclusive from the constant attention at that level of success, but Keith puts himself out there and acknowledges who pays the bills. I respect that!

OK, so Donna and I had a 'moment' on the Bob Dylan tour a few years back, when Bob got us up to sing with him. Well, it happened again! I guess Donna suggested jokingly to Keith that he might do well to get us up one night to sing some harmonies and get a bit of female energy on stage to balance out all that testosterone. Anyway, he took her to task and had us sing backup vocals for a cover of Dragon's 'Are You Old Enough". It was all rehearsed and fine until Keith motioned for us to join him on the catwalk. Now, this has always been my Rock'n'Roll dream, to stand in the middle of thousands of people screaming and waving, with electric guitars blaring. and our mothers, who happened to be in the audience that night.

Friends watching said we looked momentarily confused as Keith motioned with his guitar. I thought, "Is that a new move, or is he calling us down there?" Well, I took a chance on the latter and was like a horse out of a gate, dancing my ass down that catwalk, only in MY head were the fans in the arena screaming for ME, not the good lookin' chap with the guitar. I tried to high-five some audience members, who looked at me like "Who the **** are YOU?", and then the confetti rained down and I was in rock ectasy for a brief moment, before the man was motioning with his guitar to head home and wrap it up.

My good friend Jen, said it was the best show biz moment she's witnessed in 20 years, and I have never had so much fun onstage - I had to call everyone at home as soon as it was over.

So, huge thanks to Keith Urban, and Donna, for that career highlight. I don't imagine I'll ever get that opportunity again.

Now, where was I? Tours, album, babies . . . .

THE SINGLE! Before every great album comes THE SINGLE! It will be in stores and hopefully, on your radio, sometime before the album. A little taste of what's to come. We'll be doing some promotional shows in Australia in July, and touring Australia in late September. Thanks to all our Aussie fans for being so patient - our recent shows and festival performances were our first in our home country for 2 years. Thanks for all your letters and postings. Check out the guy doing 'Lighthouse' on My Space. It freaks me out, but I always watch it for a laugh.

We are also in the process of a much overdue upgrade of our website. Keep an eye out for it and feel free to let us know if things aren't working properly.

Adios!!

Waif Vikki
June 2007