A musical Mother's Day Tribute

Fri 6th May, 2011 in Features

Some Mothers do ‘ave em; musical progeny that is. And if you are one such child, what better way to show your Mum how much you love her than to sing about it. A group of Aussie artists have gotten together and done just that, making a compilation of ‘Mum appropriate’ covers for the album When I First Met Your Ma just in time for Mother’s Day.

Featured on the album is Oh Mercy, Julia Stone, Washington and, of course Paul Kelly, whose ode to his children’s mum the compilation is named after. To celebrate all things Mum we asked a few of artists featured on the album to tell us a little bit about the women that raised them.

Andy Bull

What song most reminds you of your Mum and why?
Anything from the Carole King record Tapestry. When i was a teenager, she bought it for me on CD, and told me it had been a favourite of hers when she was younger – it made me realise “oh- once upon a time, mum was my age, and she had favourite records too!

Which song of yours does your Mum hate the most and why?
Hate might be a bit strong. My mother is pretty non-judgmental, which is lucky for me.

What is the most important thing your mother has contributed to your musical career?
Mum tried to instill in me a sense that i would be the same person despite any perceived successes or failures i might experience. Also, she made it clear to me early on that some cases, creative expression is not just a frivolous distraction, a luxury, or even a “career choice”, but a necessary part of a healthy life.

Alexander Gow (Oh Mercy)

What song most reminds you of your Mum and why?
Anyone Who Had A Heart – Dionne Warwick. Because Dionne Warwick singing the Bacharach catalogue is my earliest musical memory. I remember watching mum cook for my brother and I whilst listening to it.

Which song of yours does your Mum hate the most and why?
Let Me Go. Because I sing ‘fuck’ in it.

What is the most important thing your mother has contributed to your musical career?
Her relentless support and unique maternal insight into my development. She is also really cool and exposed me to many of my current favourite singers.

Bertie Blackman

What song most reminds you of your Mum and why?
She Drives Me Crazy by the Fine Young Cannibals. My mother used to jump on her mini trampoline to this song in hand knitted leg warmers in the 80’s. Awesome.

Which song does your Mum hate the most and why?
Detachable Penis by King Missile. She says it scares her because of possible cluster gangs on homeless penis’s.

What is the most important thing your mother has contributed to your musical career?
That’s a hard question. Apart from a wonderful and wild childhood, she has always unconditionally supported my love and passion for music… and I inherited her slender hands for the ultimate in guitar shredding.

Gin Wigmore

What song most reminds you of your Mum?
Lightning’s Girl – Nancy Sinatra

Which song of yours does your Mum hate the most and why?
Mum is not allowed to hate any of my songs, and therefore LOVES them all.

What is the most important thing your mother has contributed to your musical career?
Conceiving me.