THE only discombobulation Isla Grant has felt during her latest trip to Australia has been jet lag-induced.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The celebrated Scottish singer-songwriter, who will perform in Bathurst next week, is on her 10th tour of the great southern land, so she’s got plenty of experience behind her.
“I have seen quite a lot of it [Australia],” she said. “But it’s usually quite full on. If I’m not playing, then I’m travelling.”
If it ever became a slog, I would not be doing it. This is the kind of job that you can't do if you're not enjoying it.
- Singer-songwriter Isla Grant
But when she says “full on”, Grant is careful to clarify that she doesn’t find touring a chore.
“If it ever became a slog, I would not be doing it.
“This is the kind of job that you can't do if you're not enjoying it.”
Grant is touring Australia and New Zealand with her husband Al Grant and singer and multi-instrumentalist Glen Flynn, with whom she has travelled for many years.
She began the tour at Albury and has already played shows throughout regional Victoria and northern NSW.
Ahead of her are shows in central NSW, southern and central Queensland, Perth and the major cities of Tasmania, ensuring she will get plenty of kilometres under her belt.
Grant is promising audiences “all the old favourites”, some new songs from her latest album I’m A Survivor and a few surprises.
“There will be some songs that have not even been recorded yet.”
Grant, who started out as a folk singer before embracing genres including country and easy listening, received a famously comprehensive grounding in the industry when she performed in the tough clubs of north-east England after she started young in the folk clubs of Glasgow and Edinburgh.
She believes modern young performers miss that apprenticeship, including the opportunity to pick up tips from more experienced performers along the way.
“I've been working since I was 14 years old – from folk clubs to working men's clubs.”
Australian audiences will get the benefit of that experience over the next month.
Grant will perform at Bathurst Memorial Entertainment Centre on Friday, September 29.
Phone 6333 6161.