The Waifs
Friendo 10 comments
I love it when I make what-for me-is a cool discovery. (I'm easily amused) While watching Sarah Watt's Look Both Ways (An Australian Movie, written, directed and filmed Down Under) for the 4th time, I got to noticing that not only was the soundtrack pretty unique, but pure, clear, and I just liked the music. I found out that this was an Australian Band called The Waifs. Currently performing summer festivals here in the US & in Australia, this band is for sure worth a listen.
The Waifs are a folk rock band from Western Australia. The original members of The Waifs are Josh Cunningham (guitar, vocals), and sisters Vikki Thorn (harmonica, guitar, vocals) and Donna Simpson (guitar, vocals). Their current tour band also includes Ben Franz (bass) and David Ross MacDonald (drums). Their 2003 album Up All Night reached double platinum in Australia and reached the top five of the Australian album charts, and the band won four ARIA Awards in October 2003. The Waifs have enjoyed two top fifty singles in Australia, London Still in 2002 and Bridal Train in 2004. The band so impressed Bob Dylan when they supported him on his 2003 Australian tour that he asked them to join him in his 2003 North American tour, including a gig at the Newport Folk Festival The Waifs co-own the independent label Jarrah Records with John Butler, and their records are released in Australia under that label. Source
I absolutely love these guys. Sadly, I dont think they are coming to my part of the country. My favorite is "Bridal Train". I have included it, and several other songs by The Waifs below. By the way, if you haven't see “Look Both Ways” you need to.
Bridal Train
My favorite.
Lighthouse
London Still
I just think these guys are great. I wonder how well known they are down under.
...in response to this comment by hill. Thanks Hill...It's great to hear from somebody who's paying attention. We hope to see you here on RL regularly.
Keep those cards and letters coming.
f~
Rodney
Monday 16th August 2010 | 10:08 AMFriendo, they're very well known down under. Their big hit here was "London Still", a few years back and "Lighthouse" also had some commercial success.
Of course, I am from the same city as them, so perhaps the rest of Australia doesn't know as much about them but they play regular gigs, especially in Western Australia's South West.
Similar local bands you might want to check could be the Audrey's from South Australia () and the John Butler Trio () from Fremantle - the same place as the Waifs.
...in response to this comment by Rodney. Thanks Rodney...I like the sound of both the bands linked to your comment. I'll be exploring them. Oddly, another person just mentioned the John Butler Trio today as I was having them listen to The Waifs.
But how about "Look Both Ways"? How well known is that?
f~
Gina
Monday 16th August 2010 | 11:20 AMI never heard of them till now. I like the song in the second video.
Hey, ever heard of the Cowboy Junkies? :-D
Jake Farr-Wharton
Monday 16th August 2010 | 11:30 AMFriendo, I've seen them live 4 or 5 times and have been listening to them for years. They are one of my all time favorite groups, effectively creating their own genera of sublime alternative bliss.
Seing as you like them, do yourself a favour and head to iTunes and download the back catalogue of Ed Keuper!
To me, no camping trip is complete without Ed Keuper, The Waifs and The Whitlams.
...in response to this comment by Jake Farr-Wharton. All-righty-then...Thanks for the tips Jake. I'll just head on out and check into that.
f-man~
Rodney
Monday 16th August 2010 | 10:23 PM...in response to this comment by Friendo. Sorry Friendo, never heard of "Look Both Ways" before. But I tend to see very few movies and rarely Australian films, because they all tend to be basically the same and .... shit? (although there are many exceptions).
...in response to this comment by Rodney. Well Rodney..I suggest you rent it, as it's not shit. It's in my top five, and it truly is 100% Down Under, with a soundtrack by The Waifs...how shitty could it be?
The trailer:
The shitload of awards: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0382806/awards
I think I'll do a review, just for you and what I now believe are thousands of Australians who haven't seen it.
f~
Rodney
Tuesday 17th August 2010 | 10:39 PM...in response to this comment by Friendo. I'll look forward to it. Btw, for the Audrey's I should have put up this link: - it's their better known song (although both of those links are nice songs).
hill
Monday 16th August 2010 | 08:22 AMThanks Friendo for bringing Look Both Ways to my attention.. I adored the movie and the music by the Waifs was fantastic... I've seen this movie only once and I look forward to renting it again soon. I always love the movies that you recommend, they are insightful and thought provoking.