After decades spent silencing the South African forests in which she was raised, Pietermaritzburg local Ruby Gill hummingbirded over the Indian Ocean to hum about violence, joy, privilege and border security to a tolerant Melbourne population. Almost immediately, her piercing lyrics, classically-trained piano-hands and disproportionately massive voice left audiences across the country shaken, transfixed and sometimes a bit hungry.Meanwhile, from an open fire in a secluded cottage on his parents’ farm in rural Australia, Billy Barker was diving boldly into heartbreak, existential angst and identity with his alt-folk musings. It was impossible not to be mesmerised by his unbridled approach to the guitar beneath biting lyrics that aren’t afraid to cover the pointy ends of life.
Somewhere between two countries, Ruby Gill collided with Billy Barker at the piano in a flurry of harmonies and heartburn. Here, Magic Coat was born. Take a listen here:
Now, with new releases just around the corner, Ruby and Billy are traversing their bold, contemporary approach to folk across the oceans on an exclusive national tour of South Africa - taking new songs and old guitars on the not-so-merry-go-round to somewhere good, from an old barn in Kwa-Zulu Natal to the red-dust stages of Oppikoppi.
Opening the evening will be a brief performance by local Grace College lad Braydon Marie, who is learning his guitar craft, to be followed by a scaled-down PMB Caledonian Pipe Band, and also their related ceilidh band. It promises to be a magical evening.
Full program:
19:00 Braydon Marie
19:15 Pietermaritzburg Caledonian PIPE BAND & friends
20:00 Billy Barker (Pictured here below)
21:00 Ruby Gill (Pictured here above)
19:15 Pietermaritzburg Caledonian PIPE BAND & friends
20:00 Billy Barker (Pictured here below)
21:00 Ruby Gill (Pictured here above)
ABOUT MiTH:
MiTH is a semi-open mic music club. An opportunity for musicians to share the joy of their music with a friendly audience which includes fellow musicians – who have all “been there” too. (Non-musicians welcome too!)
MiTH is a semi-open mic music club. An opportunity for musicians to share the joy of their music with a friendly audience which includes fellow musicians – who have all “been there” too. (Non-musicians welcome too!)
Whether you’re a newbie looking for your first opportunity to perform publicly, or a more experienced / mature musician simply looking for people who are as passionate about music as you are – come along and join us!
Bring your own booze. Food and soft drinks are available for sale. Musicians who want to play at MiTH, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Charles Webster (082 331 7271), or Doug Borain (072 340 7034).
DIRECTIONS TO MiTH:
Take the N3 to Hilton, take the Hilton turnoff and go South into the Village (away from Hilton College). Travel 5,2km along Hilton Avenue (past two sets of traffic lights and Crossways Pub) and keep going straight as Hilton Avenue turns into Dennis Shepstone Drive. At the 5,2km mark, Knoll Drive will be on your right – the entrance to MiTH is the *second* entrance on your left into The Knoll Historic Guest Farm.
Take the N3 to Hilton, take the Hilton turnoff and go South into the Village (away from Hilton College). Travel 5,2km along Hilton Avenue (past two sets of traffic lights and Crossways Pub) and keep going straight as Hilton Avenue turns into Dennis Shepstone Drive. At the 5,2km mark, Knoll Drive will be on your right – the entrance to MiTH is the *second* entrance on your left into The Knoll Historic Guest Farm.
Visit www.mith.co.za for more details and directions.