Over a period of 8 weeks in 2014, six Queensland female songwriters spent time with a group of military wives - from World War Two widows through to widows of recent conflicts. The aim of that interaction was to document the personal stories of sacrifice of these women and their husbands through song.These songs were recorded and now a show has been developed incorporating the songs written and a storytelling component of the women who shared their stories of personal sacrifice with the artists.

The artists involved represent a mix of vast songwriting experience and emerging talent. They are: one time Australian Music Prize nominee and vocal powerhouse Jackie Marshall; North Queensland based Roz Pappalardo (best know as one half of Women in Docs); critically acclaimed songwriter Tylea Gould (Imaginary Music Score, Gota Cola); all round entertainer Bertie Page; fast rising new talent Sahara Beck; and Deb Suckling (Lucy Star Satellite) who has been a Brisbane music scene fixture for more than a decade.

The show has been extremely well received both times it has been performed - in Anzac Week and on Remembrance Day this year. The show is also a part of the 2014/2015 Woodford Folk Festival.

Venue Format
Theatre, Hall, Outdoor
Technical Rating
D, The production can be modified to suit most venues
Touring Party
8 - 10 artists, one sound engineer and one tour manager
Considerations

The show contain mature content but is suitable for people of all ages. There is on explicit language. It is a very simple set up technically - 6 vocal mics and 2 Direct inputs.

SUGARRUSH Music is a boutique music company based in Brisbane, Australia. Over the past few years apart from releasing hundreds of local artists on a global platform, we have staged a number of special shows including the highly-successful “Murder Ballads” series in Brisbane and Cairns, alongside the “Long Player Sessions” which is now into its fourth year. In 2014, we embarked on the Soldier's Wife Project.

Company Website
sugarrushmusic.com.au

Unique Selling Point

This project centres on the idea of connecting the arts with Australian military history and involves community engagement on a number levels - specifically in engaging women to share and remember their own personal histories and sharing the stories of their husbands sacrifice. All communities have a connection with military loss.

Contemporary music is Australia's most accessed art form and connects with broad spectrum of cultures and demographics across the community. This project presents powerful stories in a readily accessible way that can be embraced and understood across the community and is accessible with all songs recorded being readily available online.

Marketing Materials

Songs are readily available to to listen to online and there is youtube footage of the Brisbane Powerhouse performance in 2014. In addition, we have high quality marketing collateral and branding for the show. Links online: Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jIoattuF2TQ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yj_CK9QaFUc https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVXkEJcCyE0 http://brisbanepowerhouse.org/events/2014/04/23/the-soldiers-wife/ https://www.facebook.com/612ABCBrisbane/posts/10152341477169669 https://soundcloud.com/sugarrushmusic/sets/the-soldiers-wife/s-5Sk4z

Community Engagement

This show has huge potential to engage with communities. New material is constantly being added to the show with the songwriters engaging with more women at every performance they do. Each community has members who have suffered loss through military conflict. A workshop and storytelling component can easily be added to communities who host the show. All songwriters involved with the performance have extensive experience in workshop delivery and facilitation in performance techniques, songwriting and vocal training.