Tell us about your new single/ album/ tour?
Ironically, ‘Don’t Look Back’ was written as I looked back at my 20-year marriage. Just 2 months after the resulting separation, country artist Shane Nicholson and I wrote the song at the Dag Sheep Station in Nundle, near Tamworth. Shane was great at unravelling the story, and Doug Weaver (aka the Rock It Man) produced and played not one, but all of the instruments on the track. The result is a raw and emotional look at the essence of marriage, the struggle to get it right, and a final decision to move on and not look back.
What’s your favourite work at this point in time?
‘Don’t Look Back’ would certainly be my favourite song at this point (though there’s more to come!). As well as Shane giving me the tools to express my feelings so well, the lyrics are raw and Doug’s production mirrors this. The process of writing really helped me deal with the mix of feelings I held, and ultimately allowed me to let go and move on.
How would you describe your sound in food form and why?
Definitely a chocolate souffle. Delicate and light yet rich in emotions, wanting you to come back for more and more!!!
Tell us a quick, on the road or studio, anecdote.
Falling asleep on the studio floor after a big night of production, wrapped in a star blankey, Mandolin by my side and National as a pillow. Many a funny story with the last video shoot, such a realising that old photos just don’t flutter to the ground well. No matter which way I threw them, they were just not playing!
What, or who, inspires you?
CSN, EC, Joni Mitchell. I wish I had been able to go to Woodstock.
I fell in love with Joni as an incredible songwriter and musician. I attended her first concert at the Capitol Theatre in Sydney when I was about 20 years old and was blown away!
She played the piano, guitar, appellation dulcimer and even a harp, while singing the most heartfelt lyrics with an incredibly angelic voice for the duration of the concert. And, she looked amazing! I couldn’t wait for her to bring out her books, Joni Mitchell Songbooks: Complete Volume 1 and Volume 2, so that I could play them on the piano. I was over Beethoven and Bach. I still use those songbooks. A little ratty now!
Which song do you wish you wrote?
Tough call, there’s plenty. Perhaps Joni Mitchell -Big Yellow Taxi, or for something completely different, Respect – Aretha Franklin style, says it all.
What’s next for you?
The Rock it Man and I are working on finishing the ‘Don’t Look Back’ Album this year. We are 12 songs in and the album is an awesome mix of Americana, Roots and Blues, with a little Funk as a sweetener. Hopefully we can get back out in the real world again and have some fun.
What’s your scene?
Anything wild- go wild, get wild, stay wild, out in the wild!
About Margaret Anne:
Motivated by adventure and passion, Margaret Anne continually touches her fans and listeners with her inclusive, warm, heartfelt singing and dynamic stage presence. She grew up in a musical family, singing and playing classical piano from the age of 3, through her teen years, and then spent her 20’s travelling and singing through far reaches of the world and into the mountains of Bolivia, Alaska and Tibet.
After returning home Margaret Anne continued her love for music, singing in various bands and duos, and alongside performers including Monica Trapaga, and Voice finalist Gail Page. Currently she also manages and performs as lead singer, keyboard player and guitarist in a successful south coast band called Firefly. Firefly perform a mix of originals, classic rock and blues that keeps people coming back for more.
Margaret Anne has also co-written original songs including the already released ‘Cassidy’s Blues’ with Kelly Brouhaha of Beccy Cole and the Lionesses, ‘The Tree’ with Greta Ziller and ‘The Ones you Love’ with Luke O’Shea. Doug Weaver has used his expertise to skilfully play, arrange, and mix these songs which will feature in their Album.
(She is proud mother of two, devoted daughter, sister and friend to many).
About Doug Weaver, “Rock It Man”
Doug is an extremely talented multi-instrumentalist, producer and screenwriter. He has produced and written music for over 200 episodes of the American TV show The MythBusters and also many national programs including Border Security and Beach Cops. He has entertained the Australian forces in the Middle East, Sinai and Solomon islands, and played at many a TCMF. Doug has produced tracks and albums of various genres for numerous artists and is an active part of the Sydney music scene.
Don’t look Back written by Shane Nicholson and Margaret King)
While sitting on the porch of the cottage Shane helped me peel back the layers to look deep within and bring out the undertones of loss, sadness and questioning. The song examines the essence of the marriage and the struggle to get it right, a decision to move on from the wreckage and not look back.
Producer and talented musician Doug Weaver then arranged the perfect mix of instruments, including mandolin and national guitar, to create a beautiful and inspiring song. (I was actually on stage at the end of a big gig and was telling Doug about the song. He asked if I would like it produced, and from that song, Doug (who I started to nickname The Rock It Man) and I started working together towards the Don’t Look Back Album, now 12 songs in and almost complete.
Grab your copy here
