The Loveys bid farewell

THE beloved Northern Rivers ensemble The Loveys have called it a day after a decade of delighting audiences with their feisty, folky, musical take on life.

Embarking upon a farewell tour, the band plays Stokers Siding in July and Murwillumbah in August.

Co-founder, chamber singer, music teacher, and choir mistress Janet Swain said the years together had been an incredible period in the lives of all the members.

“It’s been 10 years, and we’re getting a bit older, to be honest – it’s hard work running a band,” Swain said.

“Belinda is a school principal with three kids. I’m on the council and have lots of projects, and Jenny is 78.

“We looked at each other at the beginning of the year and said, what are we going to do – can we keep going?”

The group is known for its soaring voices in harmony, compelling percussion, and a bass, ukulele, keyboards and bassoon combination that blends comedy, storytelling and exquisite musicianship.

“I can’t imagine what it’s going to be like on the final show because when you start something, you don’t really think about it; you just do it,” Swain said.

“Then afterwards, you look back on what we’ve done and what we’ve experienced, and it’s very rich.”

In a post-musical project, the group is working on a book called Sex at 72.

“It’s our way of talking about who we are, our lyrics and our stories,’ Swain said.

“The fact that we’ve managed to stay together for 10 years for women through so many life changes, through our kids, our disagreements, and we’ve managed to not storm out of the room.

“That’s amazing in itself, and it’s definitely all going to be in the book.”

The new era is by no means the end of a deep friendship or potential future collaborations.

“Pam’s doing a solo show tonight, and I have another project – we’re all going to do our own thing.

“Belinda, because she’s the busiest and the youngest as well and has plenty of time ahead of her to do more things.

“Jenny’s amazing, still going and keen to get on with doing her own style.”

Swain is straightforward and quick in articulating the tenet that underpins the band’s ethos, the members’ profound connection, and the energy that audiences feel.

“Love and story, that’s it. That’s bigger than anything else,” she said.

The Loveys plays Stokers Siding Hall on July 6 and The Citadel on August 1.

For tickets, visit events.humanitix.com/the-loveys-tkblh9qf