MARCIA HOWARD
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MARCIA HOWARD




Award winning singer-songwriter Marcia Howard (Goanna Band) has graced the stage with many International artists over her long career. Her voice described as “one of the finest” (The Voice) and her songs recorded in Ireland, Nashville, and Australia reflect her Celtic and folk-rock influences. She features on, A Woman’s Heart- a decade on, singing her song, Poison Tree with Mary Black and on her recent Orchestrated CD. Marcia has released five solo albums. Her latest album is Everything Reminds Me and her new one-woman show is,
House of Song. Save The Rivers is a song she co-wrote at the Corroboree Festival in Bourke this year for the Ruby Hunter Legacy MMBC. 
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Marcia Howard
House of Song is a one-woman show which charts Marcia Howard’s 30 years as a singer/songwriter including her years as a member of the iconic Australian band, Goanna. Over the 90-minute performance, Marcia will share the inspirations that have consistently informed her song writing and performing – her Irish roots and her love and respect for the Indigenous Australian perspectives on life and place. The songs that Marcia has written for House of Song are melodic and captivating. They explore our relationships with politics, family and place. Marcia’s story is compelling. She grew up in a house of musicians; a large, multi-talented family who provided music for their community.Marcia Howard is an original, compelling and charismatic songwriter and performer.  She hopes that by sharing her deep love of song, she will help people embrace their own unique sound and voice.


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timesnewsgroup.com.au/surfcoasttimes/news/marcia-to-journey-through-time-and-place/
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Mary Black and Band with The Irish National Symphony Orchestra, Ireland March 13-22nd 2020.
I was due to open for and perform my song Poison Tree with Mary Black and her band with the Irish National Symphony Orchestra on her tour of Ireland, but unfortunately these concerts have been postponed until the summer this year due to current Irish government public health concerns. For more information go to Mary Black's web page: 

​www.mary-black.net/newsitem.php?id=173
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www.youtube.com/watch?v=JlIBubimeHo&list=RDJlIBubimeHo&start_radio=1&t=2
https://open.spotify.com/album/7EK2AmgnsNRjdNmnmyXb3O

​www.mary-black.net/newsitem.php?id=173
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www.youtube.com/watch?v=JlIBubimeHo&list=RDJlIBubimeHo&start_radio=1&t=2
https://open.spotify.com/album/7EK2AmgnsNRjdNmnmyXb3O
Your browser does not support viewing this document. Click here to download the document.
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   I received my signed CD from Mary Black of her beautiful recording of her songs through the years orchestrated by The Irish National Symphony Orchestra. Poison Tree the song I wrote and recorded with Mary in Dublin for A Woman's Heart- A Decade On is included in this orchestrated album. A very beautiful arrangement. Feeling very humbled and honoured. I am delighted to be joining Mary and the RTE Irish National Symphony Orchestra for some very special concerts in Ireland in March 2020. www.mary-black.net/concerts.php
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TRACK 4. POISON TREE WITH MARCIA HOWARD.
©​William Blake/Marcia Howard
I was angry with my friend I told him so and my wrath did end
I was angry with my foe told him not and my wrath did grow
and I watered it in fears night and morning with my tears
and I sunned it with smiles and with soft deceitful wiles
and it grew both day and night till it bore an apple bright
and my foe beheld it shine and he knew that it was mine
was a poison tree beware of a Poison Tree
Poison Tree growing inside of me
Into my garden stole when the night had veiled the pole
in the morning glad I see my foe outstretched beneath that tree
was a Poison Tree beware of a Poison Tree
Poison Tree growing inside of me
Poison Tree beware of a Poison Tree
Poison Tree
what happened to you and me

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SAVE THE RIVERS
    (Yaama Ngunna Baaka)

                     ©Marcia Howard, Nadia Sunde, Zardi O’Connell, John Sutton 

Filmclip
www.youtube.com/watch?v=mlC5SdJZ-60



​                    DOWNLOAD NOW    fanlink.to/cmjS?sfns=mo                
           All proceeds go to the            
 The Ruby Hunter Legacy, Mothers’ Milk Bank Charity and the Rivers Fund.
 Featuring: Marcia Howard, Nadia Sunde, Zardi
Contributors: Eleanor Clapham, John Sutton, Liam Gubbins,
Isaac Barter

 
Acknowledgement:
The Ruby Hunter Legacy, Mothers’ Milk Bank Charity, acknowledges and pays respect to the past, present and future traditional custodians and elders of this nation and the continuation of cultural, spiritual and educational practices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The late Ruby Hunter was a Ngarrindjeri song writer, born on the banks of the Murray River in South Australia. She was a supporter of Marea Ryan and the work of the Mothers’ Milk Bank Charity. Ruby wrote the book Butcher Paper Black board and Chalk. Together with her partner, Archie Roache, they travelled around Australia writing songs with community for this book.
 
The song Save the Rivers was written by long time Mothers’ Milk Bank Ambassadors, Marcia Howard (Goanna), Nadia Sunde, Zardi and John Sutton at a song writing workshop at the Yaama Ngunna Baaka Corrobboree Festival held in October 2019 at Walgett, Brewarrina, Bourke, Wilcannia and Menindee. The song honours the cultural work begun by Ruby Hunter.
 
Dedication:
We would like to thank Camellia Boney who inspired this song, Diane Whitaker, Virginia, Trish Shillingsworth and all the women of the Kamilaroi, Ngemba, Uakari, Murrawari, Wailwan, Yuwaalaraay, Wanggamurr and Barkindji nations for sharing their stories of Country with us.
 
We acknowledge and thank Marea Ryan, Kevin Condon, Professor Richard Banati, Val McGarry, Blanche De Winter, Oliver Threfall and Dr Jenny Brown.

Artwork:
Cover Art: ©Bruce Shillingsworth
With grateful thanks to Bruce Shillingsworth who put this remarkable YAAMA NGUNNA BAAKA Corroboree Festival together with the support of Dr Jenny Brown to let Australians come and witness for themselves the dire state of the rivers. We acknowledge and thank Bruce for the use of his artwork.
 
Musicians:
Thank you to the musicians who have generously donated their time and talent:
 
Marcia Howard: Lead vocals, acoustic guitar, piano, keyboards, percussion.
Nadia Sunde: Vocals
Zardi: Vocals
John Sutton: Nylon string guitar
Eleanor Clapham: Vocals
Liam Gubbins: Electric Guitar
Isaac Barter: Bass Guitar and Drums
 
Produced by:
Marcia Howard
 
Engineered and mixed by:
Isaac Barter, Geelong
Jeff Lovejoy, at Black Box studios in Brisbane
Liam Gubbins, House of Song Geelong
Eleanor Clapham, Sydney
 
Graphic Design
Kelly Simpson
 
Publicist:
Pure Communications, Blanche De Winter
 
Film clip:
Jessica Maurer
                     
 
 
                     SAVE THE RIVERS
                    (Yamma Ngunna Baaka)
           ©Marcia Howard, Nadia Sunde, Zardi O’Connell, John Sutton, 2019
 
Save the Rivers
Brothers and Sisters
Are you listening
Can you hear her cry
We’ve got to pull together
Stop the greed and the lies
If we don’t
This Country dies
If we don’t we won’t survive
 
No time for crying
We’ve got to get strong
The River has no voice
And she’s losing her song
This Country’s got a heartbeat
Can you feel it now
Come together and sing it loud
 
Save the Rivers
Brothers and Sisters
Are you listening
Can you hear her cry
We’ve got to pull together
Stop the greed and the lies
If we don’t
This Country dies
If we don’t we won’t survive
 
Water is life
Blood of our Mother Earth
Water is life
It connects us all
We’re singing up Country
Bringing down the rain
Let the Rivers
Flow free again
 
Save the Rivers
Brothers and Sisters
Are you listening
Can you hear her cry
We’ve got to pull together
Stop the greed and the lies
If we don’t
This Country dies
If we don’t we won’t survive
 
Solo
(Her teardrops fall on a dry river bed
Where fish once swam there’s only sand instead)
 
This was a paradise now it’s a living hell
Give it back to the river the water you sell
 
Save the Rivers
Brothers and Sisters
Are you listening
Can you hear her cry
We’ve got to pull together
Stop the greed and the lies
If we don’t
This Country dies
If we don’t we won’t survive.
 
Yaama Ngunna Baaka
Yaama Ngunna Baaka
Yaama Ngunna Baaka
 
 
 
“Mother Earth is speaking, so our voices have got to be heard, not just here but right across the world.”
 
      Bruce Shillingsworth, YAAMA NGUNNA BAAKA, Corroboree Festival, Brewarrina October 2019.
  
All proceeds from the sale of Save The Rivers (Yaama Ngunna Baaka) song will be donated to the Ruby Hunter Legacy, Mothers’ Milk Bank Charity and the rivers.
 
   www.mothersmilkbank.com.au

Writing 'Save The Rivers' for the Ruby Hunter Mother's Milk bank Project, October, Corroboree Festival, Walgett, Brewarrina & Bourke. 
With John Sutton, Doby, Zardi Cunningham, Marcia Howard with Walgett elder, Diane Manning and Nadia Sunde. (Eleanor Clapham, Marea Ryan and Val McGarry not pictured).

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​The Mothers’ Milk Bank Charity (MMBC) along with sponsors, The Australian Breast Milk Bank (ABMB) have been invited to join the YAAMA NGUNNA BAAKA CORROBOREE FESTIVAL over three days late September, early October 2019.
 
This event provides a wonderful opportunity to engage with First Nation families with the launch of the Ruby Hunter Concert shows, incorporating music workshops and the sharing of information. The Mothers Milk Bank Ambassadors/Artists all feel passionately about continuing The Ruby Hunter legacy to support First Nation mothers with diabetes.


We are pleased to be able to announce that we are now able to provide processed donor breast milk, with a shelf life with no expiry date. This health prevention initiative supports any mother with diabetes in pregnancy by providing donor milk “Just in Case” before and then after birth. Mothers often struggle feeding their baby in the first week of life, due to the effects of Diabetes itself. Breast Milk is the healthy food that protects babies from diabetes.


The MMBC is proud to work with the following Artists/Ambassadors who have been long-time supporters of the Mothers Milk Bank.

​Marcia Howard
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Marcia was a member of the legendary Goanna Band during the 1980’s whose song ‘Solid Rock’ was ground- breaking. During this time Marcia was introduced to Aboriginal Australia and this connection has influenced her connection to place and is reflected in her song writing and academic work. Marcia has five solo albums. Her songs have been recorded with many legendary artists including Irish singer, Mary Black. Marcia is an original, compelling and charismatic songwriter, performer and music educator who regularly takes vocal workshops. She hopes by sharing her deep love of song, she will help people embrace their own unique voice.
 
Nadia Sunde
Acclaimed for her powerful stage presence, warm and soulful tunes, is an accomplished songwriter, cabaret artist, theatre actress, comedienne and former radio presenter, who effortlessly creates moments and connections with her audience.
 
Zardi is a singer songwriter with a voice of pure beauty, experienced in Jazz, blues and folk genres of music. Zardi has been a devoted volunteer with the Mothers Milk Bank since its inception.
 
The artists will conduct song and voice workshops, working with community, listening to the stories of country and working closely with local song women, ‘the keepers of the songs’ to sing up country! These workshops will be incorporated into the Ruby Hunter Concert Show.
 
             
             “The Milk of Human Kindness: A beauty in our culture to be cherished”.
 

Ruby Hunter, Mothers Milk Bank Project.
Writing and  Recording Save the Rivers
Corroboree Festival, NSW

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ABC Melbourne 774 Jon Faine, The Conversation Hour: Marcia Howard (Singer songwriter, House of Song Show) Antoinette O'Halloran, Jane Harrison, Kylie Belling (Blak and Bright Festival) and The Swingles
September 6th, 2019.




https://podcasts.google.com/?feed=aHR0cDovL2FiYy5uZXQuYXUvbWVsYm91cm5lL2ZlYXR1cmVzL2ZhaW5lLnhtbA&episode=aHR0cDovL3d3dy5hYmMubmV0LmF1L3JhZGlvL21lbGJvdXJuZS9wcm9ncmFtcy90aGVjb252ZXJzYXRpb25ob3VyL3RoZS1jb252ZXJzYXRpb24taG91ci8xMTQ2NzAwNg&hl=en-AU&ep=6&at=1568019774737
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​​Geelong Adwww.geelongadvertiser.com.au/subscribe/news/1/?sourceCode=GAWEB_WRE170_a_GGL&dest=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.geelongadvertiser.com.au%2Fnews%2Fgeelong%2Fgeelong-secures-2020-folk-alliance-international-fai-exchange-conference%2Fnews-story%2Fb9cad7f5c1529454b512862284733a18&memtype=anonymous&mode=premium
Jamie McKew (Port Fairy Festival Founding Director) Mayor of Geelong, Bruce Harwood,
Marcia Howard, Singer Songwriter & Cr Jim Mason. Geelong Ad
vertiser August 30th 2019.
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'House of Song' is Marcia Howard’s show which charts her life as a woman in the Australian Music industry as a singer/songwriter including her years as the youngest member of the iconic Australian band, Goanna, which she joined in 1981. Written by Marcia with Sherri McIver and Ian Roberts, the performance is part concert, part sing along as she encourages you to sing with her and share her love of song. House of Song begins with her musical family and includes her songs, images and stories. Marcia shares the inspirations that have consistently informed her songwriting and performing – her Irish roots and her love and respect for the Indigenous Australian perspectives on life and place. She will be joined by Matiss Schubert on fiddle and mandolin and some special guests.
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House of Song Synopsis Bio.docx
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Over the 90-minute performance, Marcia will share the inspirations that have consistently informed her song writing and performing – her Irish roots and her love and respect for the Indigenous Australian perspectives on life and place.
 
The songs that Marcia has written for House of Song are melodic and captivating. They explore our relationships with politics, family and place.
 
 
“I had the pleasure of performing live with my good friend Marcia Howard on many occasions both in Australia and Ireland. We also recorded her beautiful song Poison Tree together. This song was featured on the hugely successful album 'A Woman’s Heart - a decade on’ too much acclaim. Marcia has a unique voice that’s unmistakably her own and her passion for life and love shines through beautifully in her song writing. A strong woman of heart and mind - I’m proud to know her”. 
 
Mary Black (Singer songwriter, Ireland).
 
 
"The word mastery comes to mind when listening to Marcia perform. Her songs are whole and beautifully crafted. She touches the essence of what it is to be open. She can soothe a troubled soul and remind the listener that no one is alone with their feelings. I know too that she stands as a woman of her ancestral country and a
custodian of the culture and wisdom of the land of her birth. Words are not enough to describe this soul... I love listening to Marcia sing. Listen and be carried”. 
 
Liam O’Maonlai (Hot House Flowers, Ireland).  ​
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Forte Magazine April 2019.


Hi Marcia, thanks so much for chatting. We’re excited to have you bring your one-woman show House of Song to regional towns. Can you tell us a bit about the show? 
 
 I guess the show is the story of my life through song and it includes images, video and storytelling.

In a performance that recounts your past 30 years as a singer/songwriter, how did you go about selecting the songs that would be included in this 90-minute show? Are these completely new songs or a mixture of both? 
 
One of the songs included is the first song I wrote as a 14-year-old girl. There are songs I recorded with Goanna in the show and songs that I have written throughout the story of my life. Some of my songs are from my solo albums, recorded in Ireland, Nashville and my home studio. There are new songs as well as sing along songs. I really believe everybody can sing and encourage people to sing along during the show and become a part of my house of song.

You’ll be performing without your band for this show. How do the performances compare when you’re up there by yourself to when you're accompanied by your band? Why did you decide to take this on as a solo show? 
My last album, Everything Reminds Me, was a band album and so I have been performing those songs with my band, Issac Barter, Lee Morgan and Justin Olsson. In my House of Song show, I am performing with my son, Liam Gubbins on bass guitar and vocals and Matiss Schubert on fiddle and mandolin. Liam performed in my band at this year’s Port Fairy and Blue Mountains Festivals. It is the story of my life through song and it includes images, video and storytelling. It is wonderful to be performing with my son. He is a great musician and songwriter in his own right.

He has just released a single called ‘Getting Over’ as Gub. (https://open.spotify.com/album/1jLmsx9D0tphEroh99meun) https://www.triplejunearthed.com/artist/gub-0  These will be the last couple of shows he will perform with me before heading to America to live.

You’ve sustained a very diverse career over the years – as a singer, musician, songwriter, recording artist, a contestant on The Voice and music educator and vocal director in the fields of live performance, studio recording, music business administration, and education. Is there anything else on the bucket list that you may want to explore in the creative realm? 
 
I have been teaching singing, classroom music and now music at university level part time for many years alongside writing and performing. This worked for me over the years when I was raising my two children and caring for my parents.  I have created ‘House of Song Geelong’ this year and I run professional development sessions for singers every fourth Thursday of the month. I have loved welcoming people into my space and singing with them and teaching them songs. The focus of the last session was Aboriginal language songs with Aboriginal facilitator in the arts education space here in Geelong, Kylie Clarke. Each workshop has a different focus each month. Sometimes its harmony or the use of the voice. Our next sessions features Yoga and singing so watch this space!
Vocal PD Build Your Voice Workshop 
​For bookings go to the shop on this site or email: [email protected] for directions and invoice orders or Skype sessions or https://www.eventbrite.com.au/edit?eid=56391950843.
 

Your time with Goanna was during the coming of age of Australian rock music in the early 1980’s. What are your views on the Australian rock music and the ability to be a touring musician now, compared to that time? 
​
So much has changed and for the better particularly for female musicians. It has always been a very male dominated industry. There were not many women performing on the circuit when I started. I was the youngest band member in Goanna when I joined in 1980. Over the years so many live gigs have been replaced in the pubs by gaming machines. As a consequence, sadly that has affected many musician’s livelihood. On a positive note though these days you don’t have to be signed to a major label to get your music out to the world. The digital revolution has enabled songwriters and composers to record our music at home in our studios and has enabled people from all socio-economic backgrounds and corners of the globe the chance for their music to be heard.

It’s noted that a great influence on your music is your Irish roots; what is it about the Celtic heritage that you love most? Are there any Irish artists that you draw influence from specifically? 
I guess its part of my DNA. My Irish ancestors arrived into Geelong and Portland in the second wave of the Great Irish famine of 1854. In 2002, out of the blue the wonderful Irish singer Mary Black invited me to open for her at the Olympia Theatre in Dublin over five nights. She had heard my first solo album, Butterfly. That was a life changing experience for me.
I don't think they would ever have imagined their great granddaughter would be back there performing so many years later. Mary asked me back again that year to record my song ‘Poison Tree’ with her for the second, A Woman’s Heart, album. I am so grateful to Mary Black for her support and the chance to work with her and to sing in the land of my ancestors.

​I guess its part of my DNA. My Irish ancestors arrived into Geelong and Portland in the second wave of the Great Irish famine of 1854. In 2002, out of the blue the wonderful Irish singer Mary Black invited me to open for her at the Olympia Theatre in Dublin over five nights. She had heard my first solo album, Butterfly. That was a life changing experience for me. I don’t think my ancestors who left Ireland could ever have imagined their great granddaughter would be back there performing so many years later. Mary asked me back again that year to record my song ‘Poison Tree’ with her for the second, A Woman’s Heart, album. I am so grateful to Mary Black for her support and the chance to work with her and to sing in the land of my ancestors.

 
My connection to Country began with my relationship with Aboriginal people I met in the Goanna years, their connection and respect for Country informed my relationship to place and taught me many things. I guess that was the learning I took back to Ireland. It is such a soft landscape. I lit gum leaves in ancestral places I visited. It rains a lot in Ireland, so the gum leaves were burning in the rain! That became the title of my second solo album that I recorded in Ireland with Irish musicians and produced by the legendary Australian musician living in Ireland for many years, Steve Cooney.

You’ve shared the stage with some of the worlds most loved musicians, including America’s James Taylor, Bob Dylan, Billy Connelly, and Eric Clapton. What’s one experience that stands out for you?
 
 James Taylor was the first American musician I had ever met or worked with as a member of the Goanna band on his ‘Fire and Rain’ tour across Australia in 1981. We were the support band on this tour. He and his band were great people and brilliant musicians to work with. I had bought his ‘Gorilla’ album when I was 15 years old at school, working part time in a Record Bar in Warrnambool. I never thought I would get to meet him four years later and share the same stage! A lovely man and great songwriter and talent. Goanna was signed to Warner Brothers after this tour.
 
Thanks for your time! To finish up, what can people expect from your upcoming performance?
 
I hope people are moved and uplifted and come away feeling good having sung along and experienced a reflection of their own lives perhaps through my story and songs. I grew up in a house of song with a musical mother and musical family. Harmony was the way I discovered the sound of my own voice amongst the sound of so many other voices! The song I wrote House of Song explains for me that sense of family I hope to create in the show..
 
“We build a harmony, feels like family, I’m at home here in this house of song”.
Marcia Howard.

Bookings Eventbrite:
 
June 15th. Gosling Creek Winery, 2 pm. Deans Marsh- Birregurra road.
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/marcia-howard-house-of-song-show-gosling-creek-winery-sat-june-15th-2pm-tickets-60294915716
 
 
June 22nd F Project Art Gallery, 6.30 for 7.30 pm start. 224 Timor St Warrnambool.
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/marcia-howard-house-of-song-show-fproject-art-gallery-wbool-sat-june-22nd-tickets-60295165463
 
 
http://www.marciahoward.com.au

www.portfairyfolkfestival.com/program/artist-of-the-year-2012/
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​Port Fairy Folk Festival

Watch


​Marcia Howard 

Beginning in the multi-award winning Australian folk rock band, Goanna, for over 30 years Marcia Howard has mesmerized audiences with her beautiful voice and skill as a musician and songwriter. She was the first Australian female artist to feature on A Woman’s Heart A Decade On, with her song, Poison Tree, singing with renowned Irish singer, Mary Black along with other artists - Emmy Lou Harris, Dolly Parton, Sinead O’Connor and the Corrs. Marcia has also shared the stage with James Taylor, Bob Dylan, Billy Connelly and Eric Clapton. She has sung, toured, recorded and performed with many Australian artists, indigenous and non-indigenous, she teaches vocal and songwriting masterclasses and is a passionate advocate for the environment and human rights. Her Masters in Education thesis, ‘Holywells to Waterholes’, examines her song writing - a belonging to ‘place’ through song. 

For over thirty years, Marcia has sustained a diverse career as a performer/singer-songwriter and music educator. She was a member of the legendary Australian band, Goanna. Her song Angel Full of Grace recorded with Goanna on their 1998 release, Spirit Returns featured on the popular ABC
show Seachange. Together with Goanna they were invited to perform her
song Sorry, written for Margaret Tucker (a member of the stolen generation) at Parliament House with the release of the Bringing Them Home Report in 1997. 
Marcia has released five albums and she has enjoyed a successful solo
career with her band, performing at festivals and concerts in Australia, Ireland, Denmark, England and America. Marcia has worked with some legendary International artists including America’s Carlos Santana and Ireland’s
Mary Black, performing and recording her songs in Nashville and Ireland. She was invited to Ireland to record her song Poison Tree with Mary Black on A Woman’s heart a Decade on, which also features singers Emmy Lou Harris, Dolly Parton, and Sinead O’Connor. 
Marcia released her EP, Nashville Sessions (recorded in Nashville) with her band at the 40th Port Fairy Folk Festival where she was named Maton, Artist of The Year in 2016. There have been many performances on TV over the years, including her performance on Season 5 of The Voice, where she made it through to the Super battles as a part of Delta Goodrem’s team. She has sung on countless radio and album recordings of many iconic artists over her long career. 
Marcia launched her new album, Everything Reminds Me with her band at the National Folk Festival in Canberra, April. 2018.
www.marciahoward.com.au 

 (Dip.T, ACU. Research MEd, Monash University ( Songwriting). Cert IV, Music). 
Missing You. Everything Reminds Me CD, Marcia Howard
Everything Reminds Me from the new album Everything Reminds Me, Marcia Howard. 
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Marcia Howard - Everything Reminds Me 
 
My friend, Jane Curtis painted the 'Paris Apartment'. This is where I stayed in Paris in 2015. I had been invited to perform in England so after the gig in Alton, I travelled to France and stayed with French singer songwriter, Lise Hanick in Paris and started writing the songs for this album there. I jammed with some amazing Parisian musicians at her house. I then headed over Ireland and did some gigs with my Irish friends in Dingle, Mayo with Irish harpist Laoise Kelly and a house concert with Liam O'Maoinlai in County Cavan. I was in Dublin the night marriage equality was announced and celebrated with my family at Roisin O's gig in Dublin. It was a great night to be alive and walking the streets of Dublin seeing crowds celebrating! Lets hope we see legislation enacted in Australia soon! 
 
From Dublin I headed to friends in New York and did some gigs in America. These friends of mine suggested I go and record in Nashville, Tennessee. I managed to do that with the help of Australian producer, Mark Moffatt who lives in Nashville. Mark suggested a studio and producer and local players. I recorded the EP, Nashville Sessions and then came back to Australia and launched that EP at the 40th Port Fairy Folk Festival. 
 
This album, Everything Reminds Me, pays homage to my beautiful mother who was born in Port Fairy, Victoria. Mum shared her love of music as a singer and piano player with her seven children and our community. She passed away in 2014 at a great age and my dad passed away four years earlier. I was caring for them at home in Warrnambool where I had raised my son and daughter. After my mother passed away and my children had left home I looked around and I was suddenly alone and I was at a loss. Grief and endings can send you in all directions. I set out on this musical pilgrimage.
 
When I came back from overseas my nephew, William Howard encouraged me to go on the television show, The Voice to launch my career again to a new audience. I was reluctant but was surprised to get through to the auditions and I ended up on Delta Goodrem’s team and went through to the Super battles. It was a great opportunity for exposure and I met some great people.
 
 My mother, Teresa was a singer and pianist, so this album is a piano album. It is a house of song that I grew up in and it was full of music, stories, laughter and harmonies! I was fortunate to grow up in a musical family. I have a great band that play on this album, Isaac Barter who co produced and engineered the album in Geelong, plays bass guitar on the album. These tracks I had recorded in my home studio and in my travels. I took them to Isaac’s studio in Geelong where we built the band tracks around these grooves and arrangements. Lee Morgan plays electric guitar and Richard Tankard plays some of the keys on the album. from Warrnambool and Matiss Schubert (mandolin and fiddle) Geelong. Justin Olsson plays drums. They are wonderful musicians and bring their beautiful musical skills to the songs. I am playing piano and acoustic guitar and doing harmonies with my brother, singer songwriter, Damian Howard. My son Liam Gubbins plays lead guitar on Heartache.
 
Some of the tracks on the album are co writes and I have re recorded two tracks that are old favorites, Heartache and Everything Reminds Me. I wrote House of Song last year for the National Celtic Festival in Portarlington. It was great to have the audiences at the festival join me in singing that song. Gunditjmara song man and song woman, Andrew Alberts and Patricia Clarke helped me write Wouldn’t Hurt You At All.  My brothers Damian & Shane Howard and I co wrote, Love Will Always Lead You Home which we performed together as the Howard Family at the 40th Port Fairy Festival. Missing You was written in Paris. Man and The Moon was a co write with my friend, writer, Sherri McIver.  Grandma’s Hands is a Bill Withers song that I have always loved and sung for years. The fabulous Deline Briscoe from Cairns sings this with me and includes her names for Grandma in her mother tongue, Kuku Yalanji. Come Go With Me, is a song sung by the Staple Singers, which I have put together with Peter Tosh’s great song, Walk and Don’t Look Back. Tonchi McIntosh's beautiful song Bridges made the album. There are lots of different genres on this album, from gospel to soul, reggae, blues, folk and jazz. This collection of new and old songs are songs I love to sing and the album is a dedication to my mother who gave us a house of song. . . 'we build a harmony, feels like family, I'm at home here in this house of song'.



“It is with great pleasure that I acknowledge Marcia as the 40th Port Fairy Folk Festival, Maton Artist of the Year. This award is recognition of her generous contribution and support to many independent, local musicians and artists; her song writing, musicianship and stagecraft; her ongoing quest to sing out for justice; her persistence and strength as a role model for all female musicians in this country; and, her beautiful, generous and giving spirit to audiences around the world.
By Damian Howard.
"Throughout our childhood, we sang with our brothers and sister at home and in public, surrounded by the music our mother sang and played . . . I’m so glad we shared those amazing Goanna experiences together and many more since, from Indigenous Australia through to our ancestral Ireland. Marce is musically and personally brave. She has a great musical gift and an energy and exuberance to match, be it in her writing, singing or playing. She carries with her an old family tradition of music, passed down to us by our mother and many more mothers and fathers before her”.
By Shane Howard"

 

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