Welcome to Winter - Part 1

So I’m long overdue for another blog. It’s been a month since the last one & in the last week I reckon I have gathered enough material for ten more. But I’ll condense it into one, being careful not to bore.

Last Tuesday we embarked on the first leg of our ‘Welcome to Winter’ tour which saw us grace New South Whales soil for a whole week. As well as it being significant in the way that our ‘Welcome to Winter’ tour is the last before we head into the studio to record the second album and head back to the States for a return trip in October, it was the first tour that included our very treasured sound engineer Jono Steer, the newest member of the Stevie clan. I must say it is something like heaven knowing that whatever venue we arrive at, the sound will be perfect and familiar. There’s no going back now.

After a 6am departure and many petrol stops and driver swaps, we were delighted to play the Bondi Beach Hotel to a surprise group of Stevie fans who kindly cheered and sang along to our songs. The next day in Sydney was filled with press appointments and a really lovely show at the Vanguard with Ashleigh Mannix (what a voice!). If you weren’t there, you can read the review and see the photos here: http://www.fasterlouder.com.au/reviews/events/24383/The-Little-Stevies--The-Vanguard-Sydney-23610.htm

It’s my job to book flights, hire cars and accommodation. ‘It can be a bit hit and miss sometimes with Beth’ as my sister explains it, and when searching for the most cost efficient way of touring a group of five people, it can be very easy to fall into the trap of only looking at the price rather than reliability or comfort. One particular palace that I booked this time round, saw us arrive at the reception of a motel that you could say looked like it could be hired out for an hour at a time (if you know what I mean). We were handed the keys to our room by a very excited woman who was eager to explain that our room, and only our room, was used for the first ever episode of Underbelly and various other films in a similar vain. You can imagine our faces of surprise, shock and dread as we exited the reception and headed for the ‘celebrity’ room.

Thursday 24th came along next, and what better day to play in the capitol of our fine country but the day we got our first female prime minister. We had a great time at the Transit Bar in Canberra, again with the lovely local Miss Mannix, but getting there wasn’t as much fun. Navigation and driving in convoy can make for interesting times. This trip in particular made me realise that I must get an I Phone ASAP, as getting separated from the car which holds the I Phone google map in a completely unfamiliar city and sitting next to my rather distressed sobbing older sister, driving into the dark unknown is not something anyone should have to go through…

After a gourmet midnight pasta meal made by the boys in Canberra, we drove back to Sydney the next day to support the extraordinary Mr Percival at the Basement. What a massively fun gig! I didn’t know one person on stage could have such a huge presence and make such a huge sound. If you haven’t yet seen him, you must this Thursday 1st @ NSC in Melbourne. We were lucky enough to have a song written spontaneously for us (absolutely hilarious) and were welcomed back onstage for a combined encore of ‘Dear Daniel’.

The last stop was Maitland, The Grand Junction, a pub that you could spend all night just gazing at the hundreds of posters covering the walls. Thanks to Ben and Melissa for the fabulous introduction and such a warm welcome back.

After a 13 hour drive back to Melbourne, a must needed shower, a big load of washing and a good hearty meal, I must say that the first leg of the tour was awesome and I can’t wait for the Melbourne part now – The East Brunswick Club, 9th July – it’s the last one for a while folks!

Beth