Mick Medew and Ursula Collie return to the Junction Hotel at Annerley on February 28, joined by Brisbane band The Trams, for an evening show to launch the venue’s new gigging season.
It will be a chance to catch musicians who have lived inside Brisbane’s music culture for decades, still writing, still gigging, and still believing in small rooms and songs played loud and honest.
Medew and Collie said suburban gigs are exactly where their music belongs – close to home and community-minded.
“Venues that aren’t in an entertainment precinct – standalone places – feel safer and less intimidating when you’re older,” Medew said. Collie agreed: “Suburban venues feel easier, more welcoming.”
Writing, recording and playing regularly around Brisbane and regional Queensland, the duo – now expanded to a four-piece live band – said loyal audiences, new songs and the joy of sharing a room with music lovers keep them going.
“The fans are a big thing. We’ve got a loyal following and people really like what we do,” Medew said.
Medew’s history in Australian music runs deep. He began performing at 16 and emerged in Brisbane’s late-1970s underground as a founding member of The 31st before forming The Screaming Tribesmen in 1981. As frontman, guitarist and principal songwriter, he steered the band through albums, EPs and international success, including 1988, when I’ve Got a Feeling hit number seven on the Billboard Alternative Songs chart.
After decades of touring and recording, Medew stepped away before returning in 2008 with Mick Medew and the Rumours and later solo releases. In 2015 he received the Grant McLennan Lifetime Achievement Award at the Queensland Music Awards – recognition he accepts without fuss. “I’m not going to die wondering about the music business. I’ve given it a real good go,” he said.
Collie’s musical roots stretch back to Brisbane’s early alternative scene, playing in electronic band Ironing Music.
Decades later, she said her confidence as a lyricist has grown. “I’m still surprised by my lyrics. I didn’t expect them to keep getting better,” she said. Her single Punk Grandma has become a live favourite and scored a No.3 place on community radio station 4ZZZ’s end-of-year Hot 100.
Free from heavy label pressure, they said their songs evolve naturally.
“We’re not under pressure from a record company; I’ve been there before. It doesn’t always make for the best music,” Medew said. “I like the fact that now we’re something different on the scene. I can’t think of another group quite like us, and that’s something I’m proud of.”
The pair describes the energy of playing live with bass player Lois Andrews and drummer Stuart McLaughlin as magical. “No matter how I’m feeling, we always seem to pull it together and have a great show,” Medew said. Collie agreed: “There’s no retirement age, really – unless you physically feel not up to it. We’re still writing songs, and that keeps it fresh. It’s not like we’re just playing the hits from 40 years ago over and over.”
