Woodfordia Inc
presents
Festival of Small Halls Resilience Tour 2021: Queensland’s Southern Downs
featuring Paddy McHugh (AUS) and Sue Ray (AUS)
Raised in Tamworth, imbued from a young age with country music, before moving off to Sydney and immersing himself in the city’s gritty punk scene, McHugh now calls Brisbane home, he and his family ensconced within the hot damp that defines the Queensland capital, home to a slew of primal, passionate music over the years.
Adding to this cannon, in writing for his second record ‘City Bound Trains’, McHugh has come full circle and now calls country home once more. But it’s intelligent country, poignant and vivid. McHugh comes from the Paul Kelly school of song writing in that simplicity is key and everyday life makes the best stories.
“I know there are many reasons why people listen to and enjoy music… but for me, the style of music that I wanted to make, honesty was paramount,” he explains. “It had to be about something that I knew about, or cared about.”
It’s a simple thing, and yet in McHugh’s hands, it’s powerfully raw and real. These stories are then set to a musical score that both throbs with a visceral power, and gently pulsates with a calmness and tranquility. From the almost anthemic nature of ‘Down To Sydney’, with its electric build, to the gentle rocking of ‘Rita’, McHugh pulls it all together with a quiet aplomb.
‘City Bound Trains’, which follows on from 2013’s ‘Trials & Cape’ and is produced by Brendan Gallagher (Karma County), is a neat and strong package that showcases this growing songwriter’s talent to a tee.
Honesty is at its core, everyday life its muse, Paddy McHugh the master of it all.
‘Excellent songs played with distinction.’
– themusic.com.au
‘This is music that’s raw, dusty and authentic.’
– Noel Mengel, Courier Mail
Winner of the 2018 QMusic award for Best Folk/World song with ‘Junior was his Name’, Americana-style artist Sue Ray continues to captivate audiences with her haunting and emotionally charged lyrics, considered compositions and hits them in the sweet spot with her smoky, molasses-rich voice. Following a ‘gap year’ or two in Nashville, where she worked alongside industry greats and connected into the scene, gigging and writing, Sue’s home is now in Australia.
Sue’s toured with and supported a wide range of musicians including Dan Sultan, The Wilson Pickers, Megan Washington, Mental as Anything and Halfway, proving her musical versatility. She’s also performed as a solo artist ,and with her hot band, around Australia and North America at Americana Music Conference, International Film Festival, Woodford Folk Festival, Tamworth Country Music Festival as well as tours and supports throughout both continents.
Her 2021 single ‘All The Only Ones’, co-written with the incredible wordsmith singer/songwriter Sean Sennett, is a mystical track seeping with old country vibe. Crafted with intricate sweeping harmonies and instrumentation, it evokes haunting emotions reminiscent of the vibe of Springsteen’s ‘Nebraska’. Sue and Sean felt inspired to look outside of familiar country clichés, and explore the sentiment of living as a songwriter: the sacrifices, the joys, and the relentless uncontrollable drive to pursue a dream. Stepping seamlessly into the role of sound engineer and producer, Sue is proud to release this beautiful song.
‘She has the sort of rare voice – deep, dark, gorgeously emotive, and molasses-rich that stirs something within the listener and never quite lets go. She gets under your skin and stays there. If you’re a fan of the likes of Brandi Carlile or Laura Cantrell, give Sue Ray a listen; chances are you’ll emerge from the experience an unequivocal convert to her passionately original brand of alt-country.’
– Time Off Magazine (AUS)
‘Sue walked on stage and my jaw hit the ground. Her voice was so strong and confident. Her guitar playing is excellent and her songs heartbreaking. A consummate performer.’
– ABC Radio (AUS)
Glen Aplin, 1 September 2021
Glen Aplin Memorial Hall, QLD, Kambuwal, Bundjalung and Gamileroi Country The Glen Aplin Memorial Hall stands on the intersection of Bundjalung, Kambuwal and Gamileroi Country. The Glen Aplin Memorial Hall was erected in memory of those from the district who served in World War One and World War Two. Building materials were scarce, but the Glen Aplin … Read more
Eukey, 2 September 2021
Eukey Hall, QLD, Kambuwal Country The Eukey Hall is situated in a tiny community 16 kilometres south of Stanthorpe in Qld. The committee has aptly titled Eukey the ‘Snow Capital of Queensland’, with the area receiving sprinklings of snow in the winter months. The Hall turned 100 years old on the 16th July 2021! The Hall’s official opening in 1921 was held with sports in the afternoon and a grand concert and dance … Read more
Wallangarra, 3 September 2021
Wallangarra School of Arts Hall, QLD, Ngarabal Country The Wallangarra School of Arts Hall stands on Ngarabal Country. It’s possible that ‘Wallangarra’ means ‘lagoon’ – ‘wallan’ meaning water and ‘guran’ meaning ‘long’. Wallangarra is such a ‘cool’ place to live, in both style and weather. According to local lore, the European residential component of Wallangarra wouldn’t even have existed if New South Wales had just accepted their railway track gauge was ‘wrong’, and made it the … Read more
Dalveen, 4 September 2021
Dalveen Hall, QLD, Kambuwal Country The Dalveen Hall stands on Kambuwal Country. Nestled 825 metres above sea level amid the undulations and ridges of the Great Divide, the village of Dalveen was named after Dalveen Pass in Scotland and now boasts its very own tartan. White occupation of the area began with area white graziers, but the coming … Read more
Cunningham, 5 September 2021
QCWA Cunningham Memorial Hall, QLD, Keinjan and Githabul Country The Cunningham Memorial Hall stands on the traditional lands of the Keinjan people and the Gitabul people. This Hall, built in one of the towns along the mighty Condamine river, was built for the local CWA ladies in 1955. There used to be a rail siding near the Hall, and a large grain … Read more
Leyburn, 8 September 2021
Leyburn QCWA Hall, QLD, Bundjalung, Barunggam and Ngarabal Country The Leyburn QCWA Hall stands bordered by Bundjalung, Barunggam and Ngarabal Country. The small town of Leyburn is situated 66 kms south-west of Toowoomba and 60 kms northwest of Warwick on the Darling Downs. Its current claim to fame is the hosting of the Leyburn Motor Sprints weekend each year in August. This event features motor sprints … Read more
Allora, 9 September 2021
Allora Community Hall, QLD, Githabul Country The Allora Community Hall stands on Githabul Country. Bright and airy, the Allora Community Hall is located in the heart of the historical township of Allora, QLD. With its large, raised stage, dressing rooms, bar area and kitchen/service area, it is a great space for any event of up to 325 people – perfect for a Small … Read more
Freestone, 10 September 2021
Freestone Memorial Hall, QLD, Bundjalung Country The Freestone Memorial Hall stands on the traditional lands of the Keinjan people and the Gidhabul people on Bundjalung Country. Originally built as a School of Arts in 1900, Freestone Memorial Hall was moved approximately four kilometres to its present site in 1921. This move took it closer to the recently opened railway station, as this area had … Read more
Karara, 11 September 2021
Karara Public Hall, QLD, Githabul Country Karara, named by the Githahbull/Gidhabal people, is situated around the banks of what is now known as Canal Creek. individuals often prospecting for gold both within and around the creek. Like the gold found in the surrounding areas, Karara Hall is precious. The Hall is the heart of this small rural town, located … Read more
Mt Colliery, 12 September 2021
Mt. Colliery QCWA Hall, QLD, Githabul Country The Mt. Colliery QCWA Hall stands on Githabul Country. The Hall was built in 1918, and run by a Trust of local residents in the mining village of Mt Colliery. It was the social hub for coal miners, timber getters, farming and community families. It had a library, picture theatre, stage for theatre productions, card evening and dances. There was never a pub in … Read more
MEDIA RESOURCES
Festival of Small Halls Resilience Tour 2021: Queensland’s Southern Downs featuring Paddy McHugh and Sue Ray
Festival of Small Halls has announced that Paddy McHugh and Sue Ray will be the guests of ten communities on The Resilience Tour 2021: Queensland’s Southern Downs this September.
PADDY MCHUGH (AUS)
Raised in Tamworth, imbued from a young age with country music, before moving off to Sydney and immersing himself in the city’s gritty punk scene, McHugh now calls Brisbane home, he and his family ensconced within the hot damp that defines the Queensland capital, home to a slew of primal, passionate music over the years.
To download a high quality image, please click here
SUE RAY (AUS)
Winner of the 2018 QMusic award for Best Folk/World song with ‘Junior was his Name’, Americana-style artist Sue Ray continues to captivate audiences with her haunting and emotionally charged lyrics, considered compositions and hits them in the sweet spot with her smoky, molasses-rich voice. Following a ‘gap year’ or two in Nashville, where she worked alongside industry greats and connected into the scene, gigging and writing, Sue’s home is now in Australia.
To download a high quality image, please click here
Festival of Small Halls events take place in venues operating under an approved Queensland Health Covid-Safe Event Checklist, and has stringent Workplace Health and Safety requirements for all travelling artists and crew. Under the terms and conditions of all events, you must not attend if you have any symptoms of Covid-19.
Please do your bit to protect others and keep your community safe.
The Resilience Tour 2021: Queensland’s Southern Downs is jointly funded under the Commonwealth/State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements 2018.
Although funding for this product has been provided by both the Australian and Queensland Governments, the material contained herein does not necessarily represent the views of either Government