Clare's Open Letters
Wednesday 25 June 2008
Tourin'
I am now four-shows into the Winter Secrets tour around Australia.
Thank you, thank you, thank you – so far it has been mind-blowing and soul-restoring. I was incredibly nervous about this tour (about being on my own, completely exposed on stage with new songs, new instruments, new stories) and yet the exceptionally involved audiences at each show have made sure I have come off feeling alive and filled up and brimming over with the enjoyment of being back on stage. Honestly, it has been wonderful. One of the greatest things about these shows have been the random collaborations I’ve been having on stage with the winners of the Winter Secrets Comp – people I’ve never met before that day, getting up there on stage with me, over-whelming us all with their skill and bravery. Viola, melodica, guitar, banjo, and of course voice; this is the landscape so far. And we have all felt the generosity of each audience; people have been joining in with us in ways that have been making Tim and I feel “Wow – we are lucky people”. The other day in Adelaide I completely forgot all the words to “Oranges”. I looked into the audience and saw a girl mouthing the words back to me. I stopped the song and said “Hey, how would you feel about coming up here and singing the song for me while I play guitar?” and to my joy she said “Sure!” And that’s how we met Angela. Wow; what a woman. The other major highlight?
Hot Little Hands in duo form (that’s Tim Harvey from the Feeding Set and his brother James). Standing in the audience in Ballarat on Friday night we overheard one young lady, to much agreeance, “Whoah. I’d go them in a minute”. It wasn’t the most PC of comments, but if you heard HLH on stage, and saw their costumes, you would forgive her. I reckon they might join me on Sunrise tomorrow morning. There’s a whole lot more theatre in this show than we were expecting. See you on the road. Love Clare x
What You Wrote
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“Hey, i was at the Currumbin Sound Lunge gig last night and it was brilliant. I drove over an hour to get there, my bum was numb from sitting on the floor but it was worth every moment. Thank you so much!
~Nic”by Nicole Skerman - 5th July 2008, 12:15pm
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“I was lucky enough to see you on Friday night at the Soundlounge and it was by far the single most incredible gig I have ever been to. Clare, you are absolutely hilarious and such a wonderful story teller, I could not take my eyes off you the entire time. You have an enchanting voice and are so incredibly beautiful. it was a magical evening. Thank you for being so wonderful. ”
by Michelle - 6th July 2008, 8:11am
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“Wow. You are an incredible woman! I saw you in Vegas(the QLD one) on Saturday and you really moved me! Thanks for the show..it was truly inspiring!”
by Alaina Megson - 7th July 2008, 7:00pm
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“Hey Clare,
I’m a huge fan or yours, BUT, all of your shows are over 16, or even 18. I’m 14 and I love your music, but simply can’t go to your shows.
Please, please, please tour somewhere non-pub-ish.
:) Lots of love,
-Jen”by Jenny - 8th July 2008, 12:19pm
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“The night before school goes back, and I’m standing in the front row of Clare’s second Melbourne show. Can’t help but cry and bite my lip to control myself while she’s performing Divorcee by Twenty three.
I waited around to see if she’d come out after the show so I could wish her well, but she didn’t.
So, I’ll say ‘Bye now’, and see you when you return my freind.Yelk. x”
by akleY - 14th July 2008, 1:06am
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“Well, i was getting ready for wine and movies with a friend on that rainy Saturday night in Brissie a few weeks back, when i got a call offering me a free ticket to your show! I ditched my buddy, but she forgave me because i could not stop gushing about what a fantastic time i had. You are one of the most lovely and skillful performers I’ve seen, I don’t think i’ve enjoyed a show so much since I saw Bright Eyes in 2005! So ta very much for a lovely evening.
<3 Laura.
p.s – i hope you don’t hate Bright Eyes and take that as an insult. I also hope you couldn’t see the audience too clearly, because i tried to sing along to all the songs even though i don’t know the words, and i looked like a right twat. ”
by Laura - 14th July 2008, 10:50pm
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“Had an amazing time last night at Rubies with you. You are an amazingily beautiful, strong and talented woman. My soul has been broken for awhile now and you helped me another step in its repair. I laughed, i cried and i sang like I was the only one there. I’m leaving for Asia next week for a 4 month backpacking stint so unfortunately i won’t be able to catch anymore of your Winter Secrets dates. Thank you, love and best wishes for the rest of your tour.
Megz xo”by Megz - 18th July 2008, 10:01am
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“My brother and I caught your show at the Republic in Hobart last night. There are not words to describe how much we both enjoyed it. It’s so great that you took the time to come to Tassie because we’re severly lacking in visits from quality acts like yours. You’re a humorous, warm and captivating performer. Thanks to you (and the hotties of Hot Little Hands) for putting a smile on my dial. xx”
by Amelia - 19th July 2008, 3:13pm
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“Clare! You are just sensational!
My friend Heather and I came to see you at the Fly By in Freo on Friday night (25th July) and we just couldn’t stop talking about your show all the way home!!
You made the entire audience feel as if we were hanging out with you, having a laugh and a good old sing-a-long! You’re such a dag! Those sunnies were hot!!
You have this charm and humour that makes us love you to death! (its ridiculour, I feel like such a groupy! hahah) You have the most amazing voice! Makes me smile every time! :oD
I was lucky enough to come say g’day to you after the gig. You noticed I was wearing your CB&FS mittens from a couple of tours ago! Took me by surprise as they’ve become a part of my daily wardrobe!
Cant wait for your next tour! Dont keep us waiting to long!
You’re a champion Clare! Thanks for being you!!
Tara
xox”by Tara Hanrahan - 28th July 2008, 10:51am
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“I’m counting down the days until you take the stage at Splendour in the Grass… I’m like a little kid waiting for their birthday.
Can you please play ‘Autumn Bone’ in your set at Splendour? That would make me sooooo happy.
You are truly talented and a gift to Australia.
Your Fan,
Beck”by Beck - 28th July 2008, 4:24pm
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“i saw clare at the corner hotel.
such a shame we won’t be seeing you again for a little while.
the most beautiful voice in the world, everything song inspires me
i’ll be singing along always
jessica
”by jessica - 30th July 2008, 6:23pm
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“Thanks to Clare, Hot Little Hands and guests who played at the Fly Bys last saturday night… you were all fantastic…! My mum and I thoroughly enjoyed the gig, you said the crowd was a bit quiet, despite the packed venue, but i think it was a just a really relaxed, respectful vibe. It was a shame the Feeding Set weren’t around, but Clare and her guitar filled the fly bys more than adequately! Thank you for a moving, beautiful performance, looking forward to seeing you perform again sometime!
P.S. The girl on the banjo rocked, as did the girls singing from Albany, best wishes to them!”
by Kylie - 30th July 2008, 6:30pm
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“Clare
Thanks for a fantastic night at the Tank in Cairns. We didn’t want it end end!!”by Bryce & Susan Hoad - 2nd August 2008, 7:00am
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“Clare, you just blew me away at the Tanks in Cairns last night. It was a great night. My wife & I drove two hours to get there (Far North QLD is a bloody big place) but we would have driven 10! You are AMAZING.
PS: My wife wants to run away with Tim & James from HLH. ”
by Tim - 2nd August 2008, 9:52pm
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“Hi Clare,
I made my husband come with me to see you at Ruby’s in Belgrave and I have to tell you, you are far-out spectacular live. I never say far out, it’s very flower child like, so take it as a compliment!
You are a woman with beautiful presence and I recommend everybody in the world go see you at a live show. (Yes, you heard right. The entire world.)Lots of love,
Jamilah
xoxoxoxox ”by Jamilah - 11th August 2008, 2:12am
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“Ms Clare
Where do we start with you?
I made an effort at Splendour to come and see you – losing most of my friends for the rest of the day. I wanted to let you know that whilst much of that weekend is very hazy, you were fantastic and stood out to be one of my favourite acts throughout the whole festival. I brought along a friend who hadn’t seen you and he liked you so much that he went out and bought your album as soon as we got back to Sydney.
I should inform you that in the heat of the moment we did go slightly crazy and tried to convince the security outside your trailer that we were in fact your friends in an attempt to talk to you (which we felt was entirely acceptable at the time). I must say that I highly applaud them for a job well done because their failure to let us through saved you from our dirty, sweating selves and us the day-after embarrassment.
Anyways, best of luck with your travels. Looking forward to hearing more from you in the future.
Peace
Fiona
”by Fiona Dickson - 17th August 2008, 12:58am
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“Hi Clare,
I saw you with my mum at Ruby’s and loved it! It was one of the best gigs I’ve ever been to and mum said she would definitely go see you again. I especially loved singing “lips like oranges” with you it was a great experience and I’ll always remember it
from Cait ”by Cait - 18th August 2008, 4:50pm
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