Grief’s a Gardener

Available to listen and purchase here and on Bandcamp!

We Mavericks duo debut, “Grief’s a Gardener” is an all-acoustic 12-track song journey album. Recently described as “a real diamond from the coal coast”, “Grief’s a Gardener” is rich in vocal harmony, hooky melodies and beautifully dexterous string work. The songs are born of Vigenser and Martin’s shared and somewhat unusual exploration of the harder subjects in life, especially the relationships with self, with others, with memories and with hope.

The title is drawn from the second verse of track 5 “Honey”, which states “grief’s a gardener don’t you know, breaks you down to help you grow” - a sentiment that seems apt for much of the lyrical content of this album. The production captures the essence of what We Mavericks produce in live shows: A captivating simplicity that feels and sounds much bigger than the sum of it’s parts.

Produced by Victoria Vigenser and Lindsay Martin on Dharawal country, in the Illawarra Region of NSW.

“Negative” is a ode to those who have lost parts of their history, when “all we have left is the negative”. This version is captured live at the National Folk Festival in Canberra, Australia

“Weight & Time” Official Video, filmed in the Bundanoon Pottery. Special thanks go to Bruce Pryor for his many skills on this project.

These two tracks, “Graveyard” and “Not Gonna Be” were filmed live for a Spotlight Showcase at Folk Alliance International. Filmed by Joshua Levi-Collings, Pegleg Productions.

The first official duo release “Loose Screw”, filmed in Yass with many thanks to Dave and Kelly Mather of Yass Valley Cruisers

A Pegleg Productions Video “Broke Her” is a cry to recognise abuse on our streets. This version was captured live in the Cobargo School of Arts Hall as part of the 2019 Cobargo Festival Sessions

“The Gathering” an original tune- This video is an offering, a thank you and an acknowlegement to all the people and organisations that have made it possible for us to gather and share music in these beautiful places.

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About “The Gap”

The starting point for this duo, “The Gap” was co-produced by Martin and Vigenser at the end of 2018.

You can purchase The Gap over at our STORE (digital download), or at shows while stocks last.

“Not Gonna Be”

This track marked the start of their duo project. Have a listen here:

Consisting mostly of old songs Vigenser had brushed under the carpet, Martin convinced her, over two years, that the music and messages were worth recording and presenting to the world.

When they first met in Wellington NZ, he offered to help record a few of the socially aware, gritty originals. Two years later, Vigenser finally jumped the ditch to spend four days exorcising her demons about recording, putting down 13 old (and a few new) tracks in NSW studio ”The Laundry”. Martin spent the next few months not only mixing and mastering the tracks, but playing and recording the vast majority of the accompaniment woven through the songs.

During the release tour, they started writing together and decided to continue producing original work, both leaving behind their more familiar roles as accompanists with other artists and bands. The duo have since had a steep and fast rise to festival stages and shows around Australia and NZ, and have no plan to slow down. Playing now as “We Mavericks”, they plan to release their debut duo album in the coming year.

Said of their first 5 performances, upon releasing “The Gap”:

“The pair provide a rich soundscape…which carries the audience in anticipation of the next sublime moment” Tim Fisher, Artistic Director Nanga Music Festival WA

“...intelligent and achingly beautiful lyrics… all lovingly wrapped in exquisite mandolin and fiddle” Dallas De Brabander, Co-director Bundanoon Folk Festival NSW

“...an energetic and captivating stage performance that is filled with emotive and down-to-earth songs” Chris “Albi” Dent, NZ Best Folk Album

“...These (original songs) are beautiful, complex and so overdue being brought to audiences …will be truly one of the highlights of any festival or concert series" Finn McLennan-Elliot, Director Auckland Folk Festival NZ

“…The Gap" is a stunning album, all original, intelligent, eloquently penned songs. Victoria's voice just shines like the brightest star. She writes on subjects many people dare not talk about. ... sign in and buy your copy. Now.” Jo Jo Smith

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