Adversity can be a potent muse, seeping deep into the psyche of the songwriter.
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Gleny Rae Virus experienced this first hand in 2017, as she put her Alzheimer’s afflicted mother into full time care while rebuilding herself from the breakdown of a long term relationship.
Eleanor Roosevelt famously said, “A woman is like a teabag, you don’t know how strong she is until you put her in hot water.”
Inspired by this notion and following her songwriters heart, Gleny Rae Virus took the troubadour path by launching into a number of new creative projects, culminating in the recording of an album to clear out the past!
Diggin’ A Hole is the result; a stripped back, string laden journey through lust, loss, environmental protest and female bushrangers! The album was recorded across three studios in between touring, then pulled together and engineered by Newcastle musical guru Robbie Long.
Gleny Rae Virus is known for her eclectic approach to roots music and this album is no exception. It features some of Australia’s finest bluegrass musicians including Pete Fidler on dobro and Jenny Shimmin on banjo, but takes the listener on a winding trail through hillbilly jazz and gypsy swing. A recent trip to the US inspired an additional track, recorded with some of Nashville’s finest musicians.
A country girl with an international heart, Gleny Rae Virus is a multi-instrumentalist and educator who passionately believes music can build community and improve lives. She maintains her connection with rural Australia, playing gigs from outback shearing sheds and rodeos to international showcases in Nashville Tennessee and Austin Texas.
Armed with a fiddle, accordion and an irreverent sense of humour, she performs and records with numerous Australian country roots bands at venues and festivals from Broome to Bourke, Darwin to Dubbo.
Gleny Rae Virus brings a special vibrance and humour to the stage, and wonderful musicianship with her bandmates and top class pickers Robbie Long, Pete Fidler and Sam Martin.
Joining her for this CD launch tour is her talented buddy and adopted little brother Archer, old time sing song man.
Gleny Rae Virus launches Diggin’ A Hole at Nethercote Hall this Friday, December 7, from 7pm. Tickets are $20 from www.trybooking.com/ZJVR