Land of Oz is smitten by the Wrigley Sisters
Jan Nay reports on Australia's love affair with Orkney's musical duo
(From The Orcadian dated April 18, 2002)

The Wrigley Sisters give it their all at the National Folk Festival in Canberra.

Many Australians who up to a few months ago would have been hard pressed to say just where the Orkney Islands were can now locate them with pinpoint accuracy – and probably tell you something about their climate, history and language as well.

The sudden upsurge in awareness of these remote (from Australia) islands is due to the impact of two talented, warm and incredibly interesting young musicians that Australians have taken to their collective heart.

Jennifer and Hazel Wrigley didn’t set out to be ambassadors. They were set for musical careers, although they may not have known it at the time, from their eighth birthdays (they’re twins) when Jennifer was presented with her first fiddle and Hazel with her first guitar. Through a combination of supportive parents, exposure to inspiring music and inspiring musicians (Hazel counts Shetland guitarist “Peerie” Willie Johnson as one of her early motivational icons) and gobsmacking innate musicality, the girls were playing regular gigs by their mid–teens.

The rest, as they say, is history. Recording contracts, world tours and a steadily increasing demand for their presence have ensured a permanent place for the Wrigley Sisters –and Orkney – on stages and in hearts around the world.

Take the Australian tour, for instance. By the time they’d landed on the west coast for their first major gig (the Perth International Arts Festival) media from around Australia were lining up for interviews and photo opportunities and bookings were flooding in for gigs on the east coast still two months away. The buzz was around; the Wrigleys were back and music lovers were making sure they didn’t miss out.

The sisters took time out from the tour to meet Cecil Grivas, one of the original members of the Bushwhackers Band. Cecil revealed during the conversation that his daughter now lives in Orkney.

The sisters last toured Australia three years ago. By the time they left they had won audiences completely, including the most discriminating; audiences such as those at the National Folk Festival, who are used to hearing the very best of local and overseas talent.

But it’s hardly surprising when one considers how much Hazel and Jennifer have going for them; superb musicianship, an informed, respectful and sensitive approach to the national treasure house from which they draw their music and intelligent wit that instantly endears them to everyone they meet. As one Brisbane reviewer put it: “They would have a guaranteed livelihood as stand-up comedians if they ever tired of playing traditional music!”.

Add to this, accents that are almost as captivating as their music and the appeal is irresistible. One prominent radio interviewer, well-known for his acerbity, was heard to murmur during an interview, “Will you just talk to me some more? Anything, I just want to hear your voices.”

He wasn’t the only one who was smitten; venues were almost uniformly packed throughout the tour; even in massive festival marquees with raked seating it was standing room only. And frequently the question was; “Do you have any CDs where you talk as well as play?”

Now the tour is over but the memories and the warmth will last for a long time. In a country that puts high value of openness and friendliness, these two inadvertent emissaries will always be welcome.

The girls are back home in northern climes – their antipodean admirers are left to play through their newly- bought CDs, dream of trips to Orkney and hope that the Wrigleys will be back soon. Please.