Musicadium Featured Artist: Songs of Applewood
On Wednesday, February 25 the Songs of Applewood documentary will be uploaded to the official Songs of Applewood website for worldwide preview. Please visit: http://www.songsofapplewood.com
Shot on location at Fernvale by Brandon Specht and Ken Weston during August 15 to August 18, 2008, the documentary captures a warmth and camaraderie between the songwriters during the retreat. It features footage and interviews with the artists before, during and after the songwriting and recording process.
It features appearances from: Dom Miller (Rocketsmiths), Sabrina Lawrie (Little Vegas and the Fuzz Parade), Stacey Coleman (Butcher Birds), Amandah Wilkinson (Operator Please), Isaac Emmanuel (Flamingo Crash), Edward Guglielmino, Kristy London, David McCormack, Kellie Lloyd (Screamfeeder), Steve Grady, Sarah Archer, Cameron Mckenzie (Ranger), Mardi Lumdsden, Eddie Jacobson (Butterfingers), Yeo, Scott Spark, Terry Devantier, Benjamin Thompson (the Rational Academy), Adele Pickvance (the Robert Forster Band, Go-Betweens, Far Out Corporation), Robin Waters (the Boat People), David Orr (Numbers Radio).
1. Tell us about the Applewood concept. How did the idea come about, and how does it all work?
Myself, my husband Magoo, Jeff Lovejoy and a representative each form APRA and Q Music, decide on a list of songwriters who might work well together. The songwriters are teamed into pairs and asked to co-write and record a song in one day during a retreat at our home Applewood, West of Brisbane. The music is recorded in one of either the two demo studios set up Magoo and Jeff Lovejoy who are Brisbane producer/engineers and owners of Black Box Recording.
Basically our aim is to try and look after everyone and make sure they are accommodated and fed, etc so that they can focus on the art of writing and recording. In order to hold Songs of Applewood I have relied on precious grants from from APRA and Arts Queensland and some inkind support from Q Music. It is an invitation only event.
The idea came about when Magoo and I moved to Applewood a little under 2 years ago and we thought Applewood would be a great place to make music. I had also attended the Mushroom Writers bloc Series as a published artist many years ago and really wanted to give songwriters in this part of Australia the same experience without necessarily having to be signed. I also wanted to make sure that support was given to artists who needed to connect with others doing the same thing.
Additionally, I have also not been able to do as much music as I would like the last few years because I am a stay at home Mum so I have invented this as an excuse to be around other songwriters. I love the whole process and the quick results achieved. From an artistic point of view, it can be really energising because of the pace.
2. Does everyone generally get along quite well or have there been a few sticky situations with so many musos getting around?
We really try to invite compatible personalities from different scenes but still make it as diverse as possible so that people get a broad understanding of what’s happening to each other. I feel that if people are familiar with each other, they are more inclined to create a supportive dynamic in their community.
There may have been a couple of pairs which were odd but basically it’s an “experience “ that each writer can take away with them. On the whole, there have been some good friendships reinforced and that makes me really happy.
3. Have there been any partnerships that have continued after meeting at Applewood?
I believe Seja Vogel and Ross Hope have performed German Depression Dolls and Yeo and Eddie Jacobson have performed We Can Do This. I have been told that Amandah Wilkinson and Isaac Emmanuel’s song may hopefully be recorded or released sometime next year. That would be nice because those guys had such a good time working together.
4. Any funny stories to share with us?
Looking back the funny stories somehow involve these people: From 2008: David McCormack, Cameron McKenzie, and Kellie Lloyd. From 2007: Jackie Marshall and Andrew Morris. But that’s as far as I’ll go. They know what they did…or perhaps, they didn’t?
5. If you could pair up two musicians for a day (alive or dead) who would it be?
I asked Magoo about this because traditionally he usually has the final say on pairings. His dream combination would be Lennon and McCartney……still………!  He is so Beatles crazy! Jeff would say Jagger and Richards no doubt as he is a Stones man.
7. What are the plans for Applewood 2009?
If we are allowed to do it again, I would like to go to offer invitations for national guests to come and write with some of our Brisbane/Queensland writers.
I would love to host a summer Songs of Applewood. Last year’s retreat was held in the middle of winter. The temperatures were -2 at night and this had a huge impact on the music written.
If writers wrote in the summer, who knows what would happen. We might end up with a tropical nightmare! Musicians wearing shorts and thongs….. I am sure that would push them all over the edge and make for a good experiment.
