Hannah Shepherd, Songstress, Charlie Mayfair
Cherish every moment and never take anyone or anything for granted …
The apple of her grandparents’ eye, Hannah Shepherd from Brisbane band Charlie Mayfair had a very musical upbringing. Her grandmother taught her to play piano, while her grandfather passed on his singing skills. Hannah would trail after her grandfather about the house singing and whistling in harmony and duets. Since the start of 2010, Hannah settled into the indie-folk quintet Charlie Mayfair, her haunting, controlled whistling now captivating audiences greater than her immediate family. Launching Charlie Mayfair’s second EP Fall In Time this weekend, see Hannah perform this dark, thoughtful and nostalgic record at Black Bear Lodge on Sunday. With singing and playing keyboard with another local songbird Emma Louise also on the cards, Hannah took time out of her busy, music-filled days to chat to The Weekend Edition about her perfect weekend.
How do you like to start your weekend?
By sharing a glass of shiraz with a good friend or my papa after work on a Friday night.
What’s your favourite thing to do on a Saturday morning?
If I’m not ridiculously hungover, it’s to take my beautiful labrador Molly for a run and a play down at our local park. Then to make and drink a delicious coffee when I get home.
How do you like to unwind?
I like to meditate with tapes and incense burning, or I listen to some beautiful music with good headphones. I also love swimming in the ocean and walking along the beach. Unfortunately I don’t live on a beachfront, but one day!
What are your essentials for a well-spent weekend?
Writing some tunes, catching up with friends, maybe seeing a cool band, catching up on sleep, coffee beans, getting a massage (which I can rarely afford!) and some meal involving tofu.
What’s something you’ve been meaning to do on the weekend but haven’t got around to yet?
I’ve been meaning to have a massive clothing sale out the front of my house or at the markets with all my old stuff. I have boxes and boxes of clothes and other useful/less things. Yes I am a hoarder and so this will probably never happen.
What’s your favourite thing to do on a Sunday evening?
Jam with my band at our drummer’s house.
What are you looking forward to next weekend?
I am looking forward to going out to dinner with my friends for my 22nd birthday, playing some shows to launch my band’s new EP and sleeping in my own safe and comfy bed for a couple of nights. I’ve been away on tour a lot lately and I miss that bed!
What are you reading at the moment?
I’m reading Road to Paradise by Paullina Simons. Not loving it though.
What inspires you?
My mother, moving and powerful songs, passionate people, exotic places and the ocean.
What was your childhood dream?
My childhood dream was to be (or marry) Missy Higgins.
What has been your greatest achievement?
Definitely being made school captain in grade 7. Kidding! It was probably being given the opportunity to attend the Seed Fund (founded by John Butler) as a self-managed artist last year.
What is success to you?
Success is happiness, kindness and fulfilment.
What are your words of wisdom?
I’m still in the gathering stages of wisdom, but right now I’d say that you should cherish every moment and never take anyone or anything for granted, because you really don’t know when those people or things might go away.
Only a local would know that … there used to be trams in Brisbane and Lang Park football stadium used to be a cemetery (thanks, Dad!).
FAVOURITE WEEKEND SPOT TO:
Perk up … The Bowery (espresso martinis!)
Relax … At home
Dine … Himalayan Cafe, Fortitude Valley
Indulge … Cold Rock
Shop … The Valley Markets
Catch-up … Junk Bar, Ashgrove
Be inspired … Burleigh Heads