  – The Waifs |
“Where do we take it from here?” sings Vikki Thorn on Day Dreamer, one of the most uplifting moments on The Waifs’ extraordinary sixth album, Temptation, in store March 4th independently through Jarrah Records (the label The Waifs co-own with John Butler) and MGM Distribution.
It’s a question the much-loved Australian band has asked itself several times in the 19 years since Thorn, her sister Donna Simpson and guitarist Josh Cunningham set off on their incredible journey. |
A trip that began in a van in 1992, with the three troubadours playing gigs anywhere in Australia that would have them, has led The Waifs to multiple ARIA awards, platinum albums and successful tours across the world. The hard yards in those early days paid off in terms of their career, but also bound the three of them together as friends.
Josh, Donna and Vikki have all moved on in their personal lives since those formative years, whether through relationships, having children or relocating to different parts of the world, yet The Waifs’ journey continues. That ever-evolving trip, and the bond that has developed between them, is very much central to the emotion, sentiment and spirituality of the 11 songs on Temptation.
Temptation is the follow-up to 2006’s Sun, Dirt, Water, which the band recorded in Nashville and which reached No.2 in the ARIA album charts. That album represented a natural progression for The Waifs, one on which they expanded and experimented with their sound.
Temptation sees them stripping back, returning to their roots and playing an assortment of acoustic and electric instruments, joined once again by the established rhythm section of drummer David Ross Macdonald and bassist Ben Franz.
Temptation was recorded in November last year at Underwood Studios, a ramshackle old house-cum-studio in Simpson’s adopted home city of St Paul, Minneapolis.
What contributed to the atmosphere was that for the participants it was a reunion as much as it was work. While Simpson and her young son call St Paul home, Thorn is based in Utah with her husband and two (soon to be three) children, while Cunningham, who got married in January, has lived in California since 2009. Macdonald flew in from his home in Canada and Franz from Australia.
Not that she shouldn’t be proud of what The Waifs have achieved over the past 19 years, all of it as independent artists. The sisters left their home in Albany, Western Australia in 1992 as the duo Colours. They met Cunningham in Broome, WA and became The Waifs.
The group forged their way on the Australian live circuit for most the 1990s, releasing albums such as their self titled debut in 1996 and Shelter Me in 1998, selling them mostly at shows. The third album, 2000’s Sink or Swim, raised their profile and allowed the band to perform in Canada and the United States, attracting rave reviews in the process.
The biggest turning point came with the EP London Still (2002), which gave the band its first Australian hit. Followed in 2003 by the Lighthouse EP and the album Up All Night, which has gone double platinum in Australia and earned them four ARIA awards. That same year they toured Australia with Bob Dylan, who subsequently invited them to join him on his North American tour.
Temptation Track Listing:
1. I Learn The Hard Way
2. Buffalo
3. Just Like Me
4. Beautiful Night
5. Moses and The Lamb
6. Falling
7. Some Days
8. Drifting Dreaming
9. Day Dreamer
10.Temptation
11. Goodbye
Temptation will be in store March 4th independently through Jarrah Records and MGM Distribution March 4, 2011.
The Waifs are touring nationally now:
Jarrah Records Presents
The Waifs Temptation Australian Tour 2011
TIME OFF, 4ZZZ & JARRAH RECORDS PRESENTS…
Thursday 3rd March The Tivoli BRISBANE QLD
Tickets From: The Venue (07) 3852 1711 www.ticketek.com 132 849
With Mama Kin
BUSSELTON DUNSBOROUGH TIMES & JARRAH RECORDS PRESENTS
Saturday 5th March Old Broadwater Farm BUSSELTON WA
Tickets from: www.heatseeker.com.au
Blue 62, Prince Of Wales Hotel, Star Surf, Mills Records, Planet Video.
With Tinpan Orange & Big Old Bears
ALBANY ADVERTISER & JARRAH RECORDS PRESENTS
Sunday 6th March Castelli Estate DENMARK WA
Tickets from www.heatseeker.com.au
Denmark Liquor Store, Southern Sound, Star Surf, Mills Records & Planet Video Doors
With Tinpan Orange & Big Old Bears
THE WIRE & JARRAH RECORDS PRESENTS…
Tuesday 8th March Performing Arts Centre MANDURAH WA
Tickets from www.manpac.com.au MPAC Box Office 08 9550 3900
With Tinpan Orange
THE WIRE & JARRAH RECORDS PRESENTS…
Wednesday 9th March Fremantle Arts Centre FREMANTLE WA
www.fac. 1 Finnerty Street
Tickets from www.heatseeker.com.au
Star Surf, Mills Records, Planet Video & Venue 08 9432 9550 Doors 5.30pm
With Tinpan Orange & Big Old Bears
THE WIRE & JARRAH RECORDS PRESENTS…
Thursday 10th March Astor Theatre PERTH WA
www.liveattheastor.com.au Beaufort Street, Mt Lawley
BOCS Tickets 08 9484 1133 www.bocsticketing.com.au
With Tinpan Orange & Ruby Boots
Sat 12th & Sun 13th March Port Fairy Folk Festival PORT FAIRY VIC
Tickets From: www.portfairyfolkfestival.com
JARRAH RECORDS PRESENTS…
Tuesday 15th March The Gov ADELAIDE SA
Tickets From: moshtix
With Mama Kin
INPRESS, PBS & JARRAH RECORDS PRESENT…
Wednesday 16th March The Forum JUST ANNOUNCED MELBOURNE VIC
www.forummelbourne.com.au Cnr Russell & Flinders Street
With Mama Kin
Tickets from www.ticketmaster.com.au & 1300 11 1011
INPRESS, PBS & JARRAH RECORDS PRESENT…
Thursday 17th March The Forum SOLD OUT MELBOURNE VIC
www.forummelbourne.com.au Cnr Russell & Flinders Street
With Mama Kin
Tickets from www.ticketmaster.com.au & 1300 11 1011
Sat 19th & Sun 20th March Blue Mountains Folk Festival KATOOMBA NSW
Tickets from www.bmff.org.au/
JARRAH RECORDS PRESENTS…
Monday 21st March Moncrieff Theatre BUNDABERG QLD
Bourbong Street
With Special Guests (support TBA)
Tickets From: Venue 07 4130 4100
JARRAH RECORDS PRESENTS…
Wednesday 23rd March James Cook University Uni Club TOWNSVILLE QLD
James Cook University Drive
With Special Guests (support TBA)
Tickets From: moshtix
TANKS ARTS CENTRE & JARRAH RECORDS PRESENTS…
Thursday 24th March Tanks Arts Centre CAIRNS QLD
With Special Guests (support TBA)
Tickets From: Ticketlink www.ticketlink.com.au 1300 855 835 & Venue www.tanksartscentre.com
SATURDAY 26th March Darwin Ski Club DARWIN NT
With special guests
Tickets from www.heatseeker.com.au and the venue (08) 8981 0039
SUNDAY 27th March Mangrove Resort Hotel BROOME WA
With special guests
Tickets from www.heatseeker.com.au and the venue (08) 9192 1303
www.thewaifs.com