Before you judge me or my music taste, consider this.
Taylor Swift started her career in the country genre. Beyoncé has just released an (almost) country album. Dolly Parton is a legend everyone still wants to work with. And the Australian country singer Kasey Chambers is the youngest female artist ever inducted into the ARIA (the Australian equivalent of the Grammys) Hall of Fame.
Country music has been on the rise for at least the last decade. So, it’s time to start giving it the recognition it deserves by supporting artists who create in this genre. Especially if they’re as hardworking, entertaining and awesome as Fanny Lumsden and her band, The Prawn Stars.
PART 181 OF “AM I EVER GONNA SEE YOUR FACE AGAIN?” A RANDOM COLLECTION OF UNKNOWINGLY OBVIOUS FACTS ABOUT AUSTRALIAN MUSIC SCENE
Fanny Lumsden appeared on my music radar when I still lived in Australia. But I (like many others) started properly paying attention to her career when she released “Fallow” in 2020.
It’s fair to say it was her breakthrough moment. Even though the NSW-based singer-songwriter had already been a fairly established part of the country music community for a few years, that third album put her firmly on the Australian music industry’s map.
I’ve recently interviewed the muso for my ‘Silly Talks Music’ podcast. And all I can say is that she’s one of the nicest, most generous and down-to-earth artists I’ve got to know over the years.
During our chat, she walked me through the country music landscape in Australia. We also talked about how the environment she grew up in has shaped the artist and human being she is today.
Next, she mentioned the degree in sustainable fashion, which – paradoxically – steered her back to making music. And she revealed what it means to tour with kids and expose them to the life of pretty “recognisable” parents.
I heard heaps of other entertaining stories related to her career and stage name. It was a really fun and insightful interview. And one I’m most proud of, too.
Hence, when I learned that she was touring in the UK at the same time I was going to be in London, I didn’t wait a second to secure my ticket. And it was totally worth the 4-month wait, for various reasons.
1. There are cool country music artists. And then, there’s Fanny Lumsden
If you don’t know who Fanny Lumsden is, let me do the introduction.
So far, she’s released four LPs and several EPs and singles. Since her debut in 2015, she’s won numerous accolades. Amongst them are two national ARIAs, one AIR award (the gong for independent record labels) and a few Golden Guitars (the Aussie country music scene’s own trophy).
At the 2023 ARIAs, The Great Dolly Parton herself announced her latest album, Hey Dawn, as the winner in the Best Country category. I’m sure it was a highlight for Fanny. Many artists (also outside the country genre) would literally kill for that honour.
She’s a well-respected member of the music community in the Land Down Under who does a lot of good things. For instance, she runs a Country Halls tour in regional Australia, where punters’ access to great events might be more difficult.
It’s also worth noting that she’s still an independent artist, managing most of her business and career from home, located in quite a remote place. “I live on a farm. But even people in Australia are like: Where is that?”, she often jokes.
2. Country music ain’t that cringe, after all
I reckon many people still associate being a fan of country music with something that you don’t necessarily openly share at a dinner party. I don’t know many young people who are into this music genre, either. And I bet country artists are not the ones selling arenas in London, the UK or Europe.
Hence, the audience composition at Fanny’s London gig reflected that. It was a mostly mature crowd, with a few punters sporting flannel shirts and worn jeans.
Thankfully, this attitude towards country music has been changing recently. And it is thanks to artists like Fanny Lumsden who clearly show that music genres have no boundaries and can be enjoyed by anybody. Especially when you incorporate the universally famous chicken dance in your performance.
I also chatted with a lady who found herself at the gig because of her daughters. They fell in love with Fanny’s music when travelling in Australia a few years ago. So they started listening to the artist’s music together at home. The lady brought her friends to the gig as well. So that’s two more Fanny Lumsden fans right there, I’m sure.
Last but not least, the Aussie country singer performed at the iconic Glasto (!) last year. And if that doesn’t speak to her music’s relevance, I don’t know what else can.
3. Not everyone is a born entertainer (but Fanny Lumsden definitely is)
As far as I can tell, Aussies don’t take themselves seriously. So let me quote the artist herself. “Fanny means the same in Oz and here. It’s a female name.”
You get the point, right? It’s much easier to sell T-shirts with the “I love Fanny” inscription than with “I love Edwina” (which is the singer’s real first name). To be honest, I would capitalise on that wordplay as well.
But that’s not all. The group that both Fanny’s husband (Dan Stanley Freeman) and brother (Tom Lumsden) are a part of is called The Prawn Stars. It’s another nod to the playful and entertaining character of their on-stage personas. I mean, who wouldn’t want to see an act with that name? The band nailed their stage image, too. Those red Super Mario Brothers-inspired overalls are hilarious.
It’s no secret audiences love it if you throw in a little joke about their culture/city/country, showing that you are aware of where you are and that you actually care. So dedicating a song to Gregg’s [a famed British bakery chain] when talking about musos’ nutrition on the road was a pro move.
One more thing. Not everybody can easily turn a little cock-up into a joke. When Fanny started singing “Land of Gold”, she suddenly stopped after the first few lines to tune her guitar. While she was doing that, she said, “I never said this was going to be a professional show”. And what can I say? She cracked everyone up.
4. Storytelling is not overrated
Pop anthems are about love. Rapping involves reporting on social issues. Indie musos write heaps about existential problems. While they’re generalisations and stereotypes about music genres, topics like relationships, drug addiction or depression are pretty much universal.
Country music lyrics often stand out in that context. They narrate a life that might be unfamiliar to many. Revealing the background of the stories can help audiences relate to them. So Fanny used that option frequently at the London gig.
For instance, we found out how “When I Die” – a song from her new album – was born. It turns out it’s about this guy called Brett who wants Fanny to sing at his funeral.
The artist also shared that she normally travels in a caravan in Australia. And while that is a sustainable option when you bring your family along, it poses some challenges, too. It’s not the fastest means of transport and the vehicle might suffer some unexpected damage. Like, it might literally lose a door in a place thousands of kilometres away from your destination. And you are, obviously, on a very tight schedule.
The stories Fanny told were also accompanied by brilliant sound effects. Honestly, I felt like I was inside a movie when dramatic music was gradually intensifying as Fanny was nearing the culmination of her tale. It was a cool way to break up the setlist.
5. If you can rep Oz overseas, definitely do so
Every state or nationality has its quirks and peculiarities that you only learn about when you’ve spent more time there. Australia is also one of those places that boast heaps of “urban legends” and Fantasy World-like accounts. (Ever heard of a “drop bear”?)
What I appreciate about Australian artists of any genre is their ability to laugh at those totally unsubstantiated claims and super-exaggerated stories. I feel like they’re happy to set the record straight while maintaining other funny stories at the same time. They’re the best reps for their country.
“Do you know that Bruce Highway [a major one in Queensland, going from Brisbane up to Cairns] is nicknamed The Golf Course?”, Fanny asked. It owes this denomination to the number of holes you fall into while driving. Which I can 100% confirm because I travelled on that vast stretch of road.
Another way you can promote your home is via your stage outfit. Hence, Fanny’s husband wore a cap with the Vegemite logo on it.
And to put things in a musical context, there’s always the option to do a medley of your renditions of classic Aussie songs. Fanny and her band chose hits like Men At Work’s “Down Under”, Kylie’s “Can’t Get You out of My Head” and Olivia Newton-John’s “Physical” (sung mostly solo by Tom Lumsden). Trust me – even the most serious-looking people joined the sing-along then.
6. Interacting with fans is a game-changer
Everyone does things differently. No two artists treat their fanbase the same way, either.
Let me put that in perspective for you. How many musos do you know that reply to their emails within 24-48 hours? Count Fanny in that (rather small) bunch. I vouch for that because we’ve been in touch over email for a few months.
I’ve also been following her on X/Twitter for some time. And to me, it looks like she truly enjoys the two-way interactions with her fans. And they love her back for it.
It was no different at the London show. Together with her brother, she went to the merch stand straight after the gig. A pretty long line formed to meet her, but she made sure she spoke to, hugged and thanked everyone for coming. Frankly, her friendly, serene attitude is unmatched. So I also used the opportunity to say hello to the artist and thank her for our podcast collaboration.
If you think I’m exaggerating this bit, keep in mind that her UK/Ireland tour is pretty demanding. She’s played a gig nearly every night, travelling for a good few hours between the cities. I’m pretty sure some other artists would rather kick their feet up or see London at night instead.
Towards the end of the gig, a lady standing behind me said, “Awwww. She is so cute.”
I’d say Fanny Lumsden and The Prawn Stars is a badass Aussie act.
So whether you’re a country music fan or not, this is a show you don’t want to miss. And if the artist is not currently touring anywhere near you, at least give her music a listen.
Fanny Lumsden and The Prawn Stars
The “Hey Dawn” tour
Friday, April 5th, 2024
OMEARA, London
P.S. All footage (including photos and videos) are mine unless stated otherwise.
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