Full on week in Memphis at the International Folk Alliance. Hundreds of musicians all jostling (or not) for the attention of industry movers and shakers, trying to make those little 20 minute sets matter. Met some great people and made new friends and heard some fabulous music. The Aussie line up of The Yearlings, The McMenamins, The Blue Ruins and the Rosie Burgess Trio and myself worked hard and put on awesome shows. Memphis itself was not qute as expected. Seems to be more empty buildings than full ones in the city. Beautiful big old buildings falling into ruin. The poverty of the city becomes really hard to see just a few blocks out of the main streets. STAX, Sun Studios and the Civil Rights Museum were a tourist highlight. Not to mention Graceland. That was my favourite of all. I loved the house and the grounds and kept expecting Elvis to walk down the stairs. Pretty wacky decor but still felt great and like a real home.
In Nashville now. Still excited to be here after two days of roaming around. We have our first Nashville show tonight at the Bluebird Cafe with Audrey Auld and then another tomorrow night at 12th N Porter. I'll let you know how they go. Sara xx