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.
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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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
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
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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.
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”.
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.
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.
September 6th, 2019.
Jamie McKew (Port Fairy Festival Founding Director) Mayor of Geelong, Bruce Harwood,
Marcia Howard, Singer Songwriter & Cr Jim Mason. Geelong Advertiser August 30th 2019.
Marcia Howard, Singer Songwriter & Cr Jim Mason. Geelong Advertiser 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.
| House of Song Synopsis Bio.docx |
| House of Song Synopsis.pdf |
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).
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).
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: marciahowardmusic@gmail.com 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
