THE material from The Waifs latest album has gone right back to the roots of home.
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The trio play at Albury Entertainment Centre from 7.30pm Thursday night.
Singer and guitarist Josh Cunningham said the theme had been a long-standing element of the band’s music and was evident in their new album Beautiful You.
“We’ve always had a sense of belonging and home in our music and the emotions and feelings that are generated being removed from it,” he said.
Cunningham and sisters Vikki Thorn and Donna Simpson have all experienced life away from their familiar surroundings, living overseas for several years.
Cunningham said Thorn brought to the table a wealth of knowledge about her time in the United States.
“She’s well aware and very experienced with those feelings of longing for your homeland,” he said.
Attempting to write songs for the new album as a group didn’t work, the trio instead focused on individual efforts.
“We did try to write collectively and it wasn’t a natural fit,” Cunningham said.
“Eventually we all wrote a song and just reverted back to what has historically been an individual process for us.”
Cunningham said part of the appeal of The Waifs had rested with the content of the songs.
“We’ve written some pretty personal songs and put them out there,” he said.
“Songwriting provided a little respite from the immediacy of always been in each others space when we lived in close quarters.”
Cunningham said some of the songs were able to resonate with their listeners.
“We hear some pretty amazing stories from people,” he said.
“Some have gone through addiction or depression and certain songs will really help them.”
Cunningham said the live music scene was one part of the performance cycle that would never be usurped.
“The Waifs have predominantly been a live band,” he said.
“When we get up in front of a room of people it’s an experience that can never be duplicated.”
The Waifs have previously played in Albury in 2007 and are looking forward to bringing their music back.
“We’ll even go back quite nostagically to the very first record and strip right back to just the three of us on stage,” Cunningham said.
He said bringing the band together after several years apart was a treasured moment.
“We do not take it for granted,” Cunningham said.
“We do it less frequently so we cherish the times we can be together making music.”
Tickets are $54 and available from www.alburycity.nsw.gov.au.
