The lovebirds of class and style
The War and Treaty were the absolute highlight for me at the last Bluesfest – lovebirds Michael and Tanya Trotter have got what everyone wants and more! And more and yet more.
Michael Trotter has more class than a Rolls Royce and Tanya Trotter (nee Blount) has more style in her pinky on a bad day than most people have in their lifetime – and that’s before they open their mouths!
Either one of these incredible artists is a show on overload on their own, but to have both of them on the stage at one time is just something you cannot miss – you’d be just a bit silly not to catch their Bluesfest set.
Seven caught up with Michael and Tanya last week while they sailed to Jamaica on a cruise ship!
A look at The War and Treaty’s tour schedule will tell you they are relentless performers. Tanya says they just love doing it. ‘We do! Last Bluesfest was incredible. I mean, the people, the musicianship – the fashion, just everything about Australia was amazing.’
Michael says Bluesfest has become one of their favourites to perform at. ‘Even though we came once, we knew from that first visit that it was a magical place. And to meet people like Tommy Emmanuel and our friend Kasey [Chambers], you know, it was just amazing. And we are so eager to get back. We’re so excited that we’re able to come back and that your country is able to open up again for us travellers to come in and celebrate with our kinfolk over there. So thank you.’
Michael says that when people get a chance to come and see them live, they see a band that’s willing to ‘let it all out there’ and to leave no stone unturned. ‘We just can’t wait to come and show you what we’ve been working on – to show you just how we’ve grown. I think that’s important, you know, but also celebrate with you all. We’ve all come through a hell of a couple of years here.’
The couple have been hit by COVID – Tanya caught the virus in March 2020 and though her voice is a gorgeous as ever she says her eyes haven’t yet recovered. ‘I still have trouble with vision. So I’m wearing glasses to read and I still hurt. But overall, my tastebuds are back and all the things that weren’t working well have come back slowly – with working out and trying to have a halfway decent diet. I think a lot of it, for me, had to do with really just trying to feed my body the proper nutrition. And I think that was a wake up call not just for me, but for a lot of people who’ve experienced COVID, you know?’.
Michael says they have a new record that will hopefully come out in summer – when I reminded them that it is summer now, they said the northern summer (damn!).
Having both been gifted with incredible voices, the couple also have a natural talent for storytelling through song, a bluesy but joyful fusion of southern soul, gospel, country, and rock’n’roll. The War and Treaty create an exhilarating exchange of energy with their audience – and they can’t wait to hit Tyagarah at Easter.
‘I think that the new appreciation we have, not just for our freedoms, but for each other, should be evident at this festival,’ says Michael.
For more info, visit: www.bluesfest.com.au.
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