Felicity Urquhart and Josh Cunningham uncaged and free on Birdsong
Separately, Felicity Urquhart and Josh Cunningham have penned and performed plenty of songs: she as an acclaimed country artist, and he as a founding member of WA folk trio The Waifs.
Separately, Felicity Urquhart and Josh Cunningham have each penned and performed plenty of songs: she as a country artist born in Tamworth, and he as a founding member of West Australian folk trio The Waifs.
Yet since they bonded over their love for music a few years ago, they’ve found combining their talents has allowed them to mine a deep vein of productivity.
Of songwriting, said Cunningham: “It’s always been a very solitary process for me; almost like a retreat, to steal away and have a private moment to be creative. But writing with Fliss, I’ve learned not to be as guarded; she’s been a wonderful partner in songwriting, and in life.”
Urquhart has a history of co-writing and collaboration, but her self-expressive abilities have been amplified since the pair began working together ahead of their 2021 debut, The Song Club.
“Not only does he understand me, but he also can take the guff that spews out of my mouth and make beautiful sense of it, and make it sound more poetic,” she told The Australian with a laugh. “And when we hit the stage or studio, what we get to do together sonically is a really great fit.”
That collaborative spirit continues with Birdsong, their newly released second album as a country/folk duo. Of late, they’ve been blending the art of parenting Urquhart’s two children at home on the NSW central coast during the week, then taking their songs across the nation for weekend gigs.
On Friday night, they’ll perform two shows at Smith’s Alternative in Canberra, followed by NSW concerts in Tanja (Saturday) and Robertson (Sunday afternoon).
Birdsong’s album cover shows a superb fairy-wren sitting proudly atop its former enclosure. “We feel like that’s us,” said Cunningham. “That’s our story as individuals, and now we’re sitting there together on top of the cage and singing; feeling free, and feeling like we’ve got something worthwhile saying.”
As guitarist, songwriter and occasional singer in The Waifs, he has spent much of the past few months playing dozens of shows across Australia while celebrating the 20th anniversary of breakthrough fourth album Up All Night.
Urquhart and Cunningham played support slots on a few of those Waifs shows, too, which allowed her to see him reprising songs from his earlier life.
“I got goosebumps every time I saw it,” Urquhart said of the headline act.
“The people were loving and hanging on every word, and that’s the mark of a great band with great songs. They’re an amazing team. It’s quality Australian music, and it’s great to see it continue to be celebrated.”
The duo’s album tour will conclude in late November with a weekend of NSW shows in Marrickville (November 23) in Sydney’s inner west, Katoomba (November 24) and Grenfell (November 25).
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