Semaphore Music Festival - Susan Lily with Band!

Hi lovely ones,

It's almost that time again, when the Semaphore Foreshore is doned with a stage and decorated with lights and music to entertain one and all.  This year is special for me in so many ways.  It's my second time playing at this festival, I'm also now playing on the main stage with my backing band and, 2016 marks the tenth year since I released my first single and became a recording artist.  Whew!  What a decade!

Tickets for this fabulous 3 day event can be purchased from The Semaphore Music Festival Website.

So you will get a full day of music each day for only $10.10 per day!

Imagine that!!! 

I will be on stage with my backing band at 3 pm and if you've not seen us play together then now is a great time to do so! 

We would all love to see you there, supporting local and interstate original music.

lots of love

Susan  xx

New Zealand, here I Come!

Dear Lovely Ones,

At the end of this month I will be embarking on a new chapter of my musical and life journey. I've been blessed to have, in my life, a very supportive partner who is taking me on my first international flight next sunday.  It's not actually real to me yet; this trip.  I'm getting things ready of course, but it won't seem real until I pass through the doors at the airport where I usually watch him leave through without me.  Once I'm through into the international section it will all become real and exciting.

I am, however, very excited because I will get to meet another wonderful artist over there.  Sue Dyson is a talented Country Artist who has also been a producer/presenter of an internet radio show syndicated across the globe called An Hour Of Country.  She's played my music on her programme and I've returned the favour by adding her music to my playlist here on WOW FM.

It's going to be a beautiful afternoon of song and musical chaos as we meet, and join forces to bring our music to a new audience.

I can't wait.  I'm so excited!  

Susan Lily Music Update

Hi lovely ones,

Firstly, many thanks to those who've been "onboard" with me for some time and welcome to those who have just joined up.  It's been an interesting financial year with much change; change that began when I finally realised that too much of my energy was being used up in a permanent job that really wasn't suitable for me.  My music and my life was suffering to the point where I lost motivation for both.  It's been a little over a year since I made that final walk and since then so much really good stuff has happened:

1. I got to tour with my sista from another mista, the lovely Michelle Walker
2. got to record and release my first duet with my mate Darren Scott (who is the awesome bass player with 8Ball Aitken by the way)
3. got to be in a top 40 internationally (for 23 weeks) with said duet via New Country Artist Top 40
4. got to perform in front of my largest TCMF audience at the Country Music Cares Concert at the Town Hall
4. was in my first Adelaide Fringe Show - Aquattica - written by Steve Charles
5. reached #1 on an international radio top 40 with Here On The Road - Spectrum Radio Petts Wood and,
6. passed my radio announcer's course and have since started doing a show on my home station wowfm 100.5 in Semaphore SA.  I play a mix of Aussie Independent artists, including country, along with other much loved Aussie music from times gone by.

In as much as I've wanted to go and play in Tamworth at next year's festival, my journey so far has been tenuous as far as income.  I've had to take the step to curb my enthusiasm in that direction and aim my sights at other things for the time being.  It will not be easy to see everyone's posts on social media during January, but I do know that come 2018 I plan to be there with

1. a new album (recorded here in South Oz)
2. my very first solo and self-penned cabaret show in Adelaide Fringe
3. at least one overseas visit (I now have a passport, so look out world!)
4. another QLD minitour up far north (with you know who)
5. more hours under my belt as a radio presenter.

I have much in the pipeline and am gaining strength and motivation each and every day.  I've experienced the sadness of losing a beautiful person to heaven and my darling little furkid, Jack Jack,  recently left me for the rainbow bridge.
New songs have, subsequently,  popped out of me, begging to be brought to life. They have helped me to accept things, and I'm overjoyed with how they have turned out.  I'm excited at the prospect of bringing them to life with my new producer and some talented Aussie musicians.

Of course my first love is entertaining and August has shown itself to be more than just the last month of winter.  I've played more gigs this month than I have in ages and it's been wonderful!

Thank you, each and every one of you.  My life and my music are such joys to me and it's all because of you all.

Take care and stay tuned.

Much love

Susan xxx

Susan Lily Music Update

Hi lovely ones,

Firstly, many thanks to those who've been "onboard" with me for some time and welcome to those who have just joined up.  It's been an interesting financial year with much change; change that began when I finally realised that too much of my energy was being used up in a permanent job that really wasn't suitable for me.  My music and my life was suffering to the point where I lost motivation for both.  It's been a little over a year since I made that final walk and since then so much really good stuff has happened:

1. I got to tour with my sista from another mista, the lovely Michelle Walker
2. got to record and release my first duet with my mate Darren Scott (who is the awesome bass player with 8Ball Aitken by the way)
3. got to be in a top 40 internationally (for 23 weeks) with said duet via New Country Artist Top 40
4. got to perform in front of my largest TCMF audience at the Country Music Cares Concert at the Town Hall
4. was in my first Adelaide Fringe Show - Aquattica - written by Steve Charles
5. reached #1 on an international radio top 40 with Here On The Road - Spectrum Radio Petts Wood and,
6. passed my radio announcer's course and have since started doing a show on my home station wowfm 100.5 in Semaphore SA.  I play a mix of Aussie Independent artists, including country, along with other much loved Aussie music from times gone by.

In as much as I've wanted to go and play in Tamworth at next year's festival, my journey so far has been tenuous as far as income.  I've had to take the step to curb my enthusiasm in that direction and aim my sights at other things for the time being.  It will not be easy to see everyone's posts on social media during January, but I do know that come 2018 I plan to be there with

1. a new album (recorded here in South Oz)
2. my very first solo and self-penned cabaret show in Adelaide Fringe
3. at least one overseas visit (I now have a passport, so look out world!)
4. another QLD minitour up far north (with you know who)
5. more hours under my belt as a radio presenter.

I have much in the pipeline and am gaining strength and motivation each and every day.  I've experienced the sadness of losing a beautiful person to heaven and my darling little furkid, Jack Jack,  recently left me for the rainbow bridge.
New songs have, subsequently,  popped out of me, begging to be brought to life. They have helped me to accept things, and I'm overjoyed with how they have turned out.  I'm excited at the prospect of bringing them to life with my new producer and some talented Aussie musicians.

Of course my first love is entertaining and August has shown itself to be more than just the last month of winter.  I've played more gigs this month than I have in ages and it's been wonderful!

Thank you, each and every one of you.  My life and my music are such joys to me and it's all because of you all.

Take care and stay tuned.

Much love

Susan xxx

Becoming The Butterfly You're Meant To Be

Hi lovely ones,

It's been a little over 12 months since I let go of a permanent job and concentrated on both my music and myself.  During the past year I've learnt much and been able to see things rather differently than I'd allowed myself to believe.

It's a great feeling to finally be able to say, without hesitation or doubt, that I really like who I am and who I've become.  In the world of music/art it's vital to understand the "self" before you can create the success you seek.  I am now in the best possible place to do this for myself and those I love. I am now, more than ever, a butterfly.

I hope everyone finds their own little piece of self love too.  There's a sense of peace when you get there and it's inspirational each and every day.  Without my belief in the abundance of the universe I would not be able to write this with all the love in my heart for everyone out there.

Take a chance, take a leap .... you may never look back, and your soul you'll keep.

lots of love

Susan xx

Consider This, With Musical Love

Hi lovely ones,

I've been in the music biz for a little over 10 years and I've been a part of our community for a lot longer than that.  As time has gone on I've become more and more inclined to spend my money on more local projects: including buying the music an independent artist sells at their gigs.  It brings me great joy to know I've directly assisted someone in their life AND has given me a rather unique and eclectic music collection thus far.

Why am I telling you this?  It's twofold really.  The first reason relates to becoming a radio presenter.  I've recently undertaken radio announcer training for my local community radio and have begun collating my extensive music collection and added it to my pc so I can make playlists for the shows I'm programming.  Having such a grand variety of music will make it easier for me to help out when someone cannot do their show.  It also reminds me of those I've bought from and how they are doing.

The second reason relates to helping others.  If I've really enjoyed a show and they DO have music for sale I try to budget these days so I can take a piece of them home with me AND also feel great about financially supporting an independent artist.  Afterall, no one spends time and money creating and recording an album or EP so it can stay in storage.  All artists, including myself, appreciate when someone buys from us at a gig.  It's a wonderful feeling to know where your "babies" go to and that they are truly loved.  I've got some wonderful "short run" EP's and Albums that I know will be collectors items in years to come.

So, the next time you plan to see a band or a show, see if you can budget in the album/EP too.  You will give joy and appreciation directly to the artist and your music collection will be even more unique and special because of this.

lots of love

Susan xx

I Went "Home in the Back of a Divvy Van" - The Painters & Dockers in Adelaide

With the Teddy Bear’s Picnic blasting from the in-house PA out strode the shyest member of the Painters and Dockers.  Garbed in muso black jeans and singlet Paul Stewart was adorned with lipstick that only he and Robert Smith (the cure) can get away with.  By this stage the ever-growing crowd had made it’s polite way to the stage area.  This is how we do things sometimes in Adelaide, polite and obliging.  

The Painters & Dockers Erupt onto the stage at The Governor Hindmarsh Hotel

From there it was musical mayhem from the opener “Eat Shit Die” all the way to “We’re Going Home in the Back of a Divvy Van”.  Throughout the event, as it was no ordinary pub gig, a plethora of audience members joined the 7 piece band on stage.  Encouraged by the leader of mayhem to do so, they danced and sang along with all the familiar “All Men Are Bastards” and the Dili Allstars song “Nothing Tastes Better Than The Neighbour’s Chicken”.  

Lead singer Paul Stewart

Lead guitarist Colin Badger and Paul Stewart

I’m sure social media was abuzz from the moment “Nude School” began and a portly gentleman dressed in his birthday suit burst onto the stage and into our faces.  True to Docker’s form, and perhaps our city’s, he wasn’t crashed tackled by security.  Instead many pics were snapped and videos taken to ensure it would be forever etched on the internet whilst he danced around with Paulie Stewart as David Pace took lead vocals.  

"Nude School" as only could happen at the Gov.
L-R Michael Badger (bass), Nude guy from the crowd, Paul Stewart, David Pace (V & trumpet), Mick Morris (V & saxophone), Vladimir Juric (lead & rhythm guitar)

Requested to “cry, laugh, or get pregnant” in the opening of the show, by the end of the night I’m sure that two out of three were carried out.  Much love and laughter til we cried was the order of the night and I’m sure most people went home on their own personal hovercraft of joy and happiness, including me.

A more quirky career start you couldn’t have asked for either.  This band’s debut gig was supposed to be a “one off” to help out a mate with parking fines (back in 1982).  The name was taken by the guys from the Union who drank at the hotel the gig was.  Their notoriety over the years has come from a mix of “no police policy” in a union hotel, a disgruntled neighbour with an axe, a smashed up PA and, a riot.  All this happened on their debut gig and suddenly the legend of Painters and Dockers band was born.  They say that any publicity is good and it proved the case once the Dockers (as they are affectionately known) were allowed to book into a venue.  Word had spread and suddenly they were playing to crowds of people who were curious to see what would happen next. 

See I told you Paul Stewart was shy...in his sleep lol

"hovercraft" dancing by Paul Stewart

Twenty years after the first time they played at the Gov they delivered a most enjoyable and random event/show/night of entertainment that has this gal smiling and giggling almost 24 hours after.  The sheer energy and joy emanating from the stage gave the audience a buzz that money just can't buy.  If you can, find some live video footage.  You might just find yourself enjoying them as much as all the people who’ve been to their gigs across Australia recently.  Personally, I can't wait for them to come over again.

love Susan xx

ps thanks to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Painters_and_Dockers for some background info, to Paul Stewart for an awesome interview on WOW FM last thursday morning, and to all the great guys in this wonderful band who gave their time to chat with me about life etc last night.