Tunes to tap your feet..or break your heart. Originals outfit Waiting for Brenda weave lyrics from songwriter Brenda of love, despair and humour with the sounds of Dobro, Fiddle, Bass, Drums, Guitar & Vocals. Waiting for Brenda brings together countrified indie folk with tons of heart, soul & swagger.
Waiting for Brenda features Brenda Lee Kelly on lead vocals & acoustic guitar, Garry “Gman” Bain on twangy electric guitar, Pete “he’s got a Fender” Cheney on bass, Johnno (he’s not evil) Harrison on dobro and lap-steel guitar, Cool hand Luke Mysliwy on fiddle & Craig (Billy) Tobin on the skins who all bring a bucket of talent, joy, swagger and stomp to Brenda’s songs.
In what started out as a tribute show to Billy Bragg, who’s own Australian shows were continuingly delayed due to the pandemic, Brenda assembled a group of fellow BB fans/musician friends to rehearse Billy’s music for a yet to be determined show. When the opportunity to play a set of her own music at a local Folk Festival in late 2021 presented itself (after Brenda had recovered from 14 months of breast cancer treatment), Brenda and her bandmates turned the rehearsals to her own original songs.
The new album curates 11 tracks, covering a range of musical terrain, from country and folk, to alt-country and indie rock. Electric and acoustic guitars, drums, electric and acoustic bass, violin, dobro and lap steel feature throughout, along with Brenda’s own haunting, yet melodic, alt-country vocals. Hers is a friendly though blended disposition (pun intended) of voices – that gal next door mixed with a touch of Lorretta Lynn, Kirsty MacColl, Patsy Cline & Debbie Harry.
Friendly Disposition is an album that slowly unfurls before you, with light and shade to engage the listener. There’s something here for everyone, but the overall effect is like meeting an old friend after a long time apart. Waiting For Brenda have delivered a warm collection of songs that feel nostalgic yet fresh and will reward repeated listenings. There’s celebrations, ruminations on life and love, faces, places, and most importantly, good times to enjoy.
“Bob Dylan-esque sensibilities are heard in the profound lyricism adding a thought-provoking poignancy to the light-hearted tune.”
Nicole Mendes – The Other Side Reviews.
Performances at Anywhere Festival
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Acknowledgement of Traditional Custodians
We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we present Anywhere Festival, the Kabi Kabi/Gubbi Gubbi, Jinibara, Turrbal and Yuggera Peoples. We wish to pay respect to their Elders - past, present and emerging - and acknowledge the important role Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and their stories continue to play.
