SMALL town halls miles from anywhere become beacons of light when Fanny Lumsden rocks up.
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But you're more likely to find her outside at the Country Halls Tour.
"I remember the first show was south of Hay with nothing for miles," Lumsden said.
"I could see all these cars, the hall totally lit up and kids tearing around outside.
"It feels really satisfying to know you've played a role in these people coming together."
The Country Halls Tour has seen more than 60 small towns apply to have their local made a stop on Lumsden's map.
Among them are Loomberah and Spring Ridge Community Halls, with funds from the Spring Ridge show going to Ooranga pre-school.
Also on the tour bus is Lumsden's son Walter and her husband Dan.
"Walt's done a lot of flights and kilometres, he pretty much lived on the road for the first six months of his life," she said.
"It's very hard being a parent, it's obviously amazing and completely worth it - he's fantastic and so full of joy and beans but it is really difficult.
"So hat's off to all the parents out there."
It feels really satisfying to know you've played a role in these people coming together.
- Fanny Lumsden
Family is a huge part of Lumsden's life, her brother Tom is fairly consistently on the road with her in the band, her aunt produced the Elastic Waistband and Pretty Little Fools videos and she ropes her sister into roles in the clips.
Lumsden's latest release Pretty Little Fools four of the family clan and is filmed at Ungarie Public Pool.
The clip is a sequel to her last video for Totem Tennis, Lumsden said.
It's inspired by a trip she and her husband took in the old Landcruiser from southern NSW to Woodford Folk Festival in the middle of summer where the air-conditioner busted four days after the pair got married.
"We'd stop off and drop into local pools along the way, if you do that enough a pattern emerges of the hierarchy of a small town.
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"I found that amusing and relatable, we just moved back to a small town and live on a farm, I was reacquainted with the world of small towns.
"It's endearing and there's quirks about it."
There might even be a taste of new music, Lumsden isn't saying too much yet but the Leader understands there is something exciting in the works. The Country Halls Tour is at Spring Ridge October 12 and Loomberah November 15.
Madeline Link
Madeline Link is a journalist at the Newcastle Herald, with a focus on Lake Macquarie City Council. To keep up with my stories, follow my Twitter @madeline_link, for tips email madeline.link@newcastleherald.com.au.
Madeline Link is a journalist at the Newcastle Herald, with a focus on Lake Macquarie City Council. To keep up with my stories, follow my Twitter @madeline_link, for tips email madeline.link@newcastleherald.com.au.
