sparrow-folk: interview
Kurt Sneddon, Blueprint Studios
The award-winning duo Sparrow-Folk is performing their new show SuBIRDia at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, the Sydney Comedy Festival, and the Wagga Wagga Comedy festival. The pair began their career in musical comedy under a Hills hoist, in true Aussie style.
I caught up with them in the lead-up to their Melbourne debut and found out just how housewives from Canberra end up touring their very own hilarious comedy act.
Tell me a bit about the history of Sparrow-Folk – how and why did you start the group and when?
We started Sparrow-Folk as an excuse for two best friends to escape their busy households for a night and sip wine. Our first show saw us singing original songs under a Hills hoist and was received with raucous laughter. Hence a new career in musical comedy was launched. It feels like we’ve been together for an eternity, but in reality it’s only just over 2 years.
How does SuBIRDia differ from previous shows you’ve done?
SuBIRDia is Kath and Kim on citric acid. It’s bringing sexy back to suburban Australia and we are the only ones brave enough to celebrate what others just live. The show is a journey of discovery through the dark and delicious home-truths of life in the suburbs. For us, SuBIRDia pushes the envelope in both performance style and content. We’re no longer the demure housewives from Canberra and no subject is safe from our captivating harmonies.
What inspires you both to write/make music/make new shows?
We spent a lot of time together in the cubby house in Juliet’s backyard, drinking wine and keeping an eye on the neighbours. Some things can never be “unseen” …if you know what we mean. It left us with no choice but to put it all in a show!
What is the best reason to come to a Sparrow-Folk show, if you had to pick just one?
It’s terrifyingly sexy. It’s ‘I Love Lucy’ meets ‘Sex In The City.’
What are your hopes/plans for the future of the group?
We want to keep pushing the boundaries and doing what we love. To continue making music that brings joy for both us and our audience.
What would you say to aspiring young artists who want to get into the industry?
We have two pieces of advice
- Do it! Get up when your alarm goes off. Everytime you press snooze, because you’re afraid to get out of bed, another opportunity has passed you by
- Shamelessley self promote. Do you want to come and see SuBIRDia? It’s a freaking awesome show and if you miss it you’ll kick yourself.
- Don’t be knocked off course by other people’s criticism because at the end of the day it’s just another opinion. One person’s 1 star is another person’s Shakespeare … There’s someone out there still buying Country Music.
Anything else you’d like to add?
Here are some links to the Comedy Festival shows we are doing around the traps:
– Melbourne International Comedy Festival
Featured Image Source: Kurt Sneddon, Blueprint Studios
