Page 23 - BiTS_09_SEPTEMBER_2022

HF: The music that first hit me at an early age was Bo Carter "Banana in Your Fruit Basket". I
was 14 years old.

CR: The music that affected me first emotionally was our old teacher getting us to sing in the
morning at school Lead Belly songs like "I'm a Yella Girl" "Pick a Bale of Cotton" "Oh Black
Betty" and that’s where I first learnt call and response style singing, I was 13 years old.

CO: As I mentioned in the intro, I was there in the audience when you started playing gigs
as a very exciting acoustic blues duo in Australia, and saw you expand the musical
content of shows over time, blending cultural influences. How would you describe the
music we might hear from you in 2022?

CR:/HF: I guess the music we do now is still influenced by Blues, (Hill Country style) not so
much, but still has a gospel element to it, we have brought more melody to our arrangements
and would harmonise a bit more. It’s Rootsy and there's a flavour of Americana too.

CO: Which of your instruments are you both loving to play at the moment?

CR:/HF: Fitzy is loving his Gibson Melody Maker 1961 converted to humbuckers and has put
away the Tiesco for now. He always says it’s quite the beast to play. I am actually really getting
back into playing Flute as

well, it’s not the Blues choice
of instrument but it goes
nicely with the more moody
vibe songs we're writing.

CO: The music scene has
changed radically over the
past 3 or 4 years, not solely
due to the impact of a global
pandemic. Have you got any
tips for emerging blues and
roots musicians?

CR:/HF: We would both say
for sure that keeping it real
is key, as in playing what
makes you feel alive, and you can vibe off. There is no point in the blues world playing what you
think people want to hear, you’ve got to feel it yourself.

CO: Can you tell us about your recent musical community collaborations, and what
you’ve both been working on recently?

CR:/HF: Actually, we have started a new band called Midnight Ramblers which is 5-piece
harmonies, mandolin, fiddle, guitar, banjo, and double bass. Added flute, brushes, and snare. It’s
blue grassy vibe with a bit of hill country vibe.