Still Rockin' It - Cheryl Lee
Still Rockin' It - Cheryl Lee
What have Amanda and James Morley been up to lately? OR A journey of Love and Rock from an Airport Bar
Join Cheryl Lee - That Radio Chick on STILL ROCKIN' IT for news, reviews, music and interviews with some of our favourite Australian musicians.
What happens when you mix a serendipitous airport meeting with a passion for music and storytelling? On this episode of the Still Rockin' It podcast, we welcome the charismatic Australian musical duo, Amanda (aka Bloom) and James Morley, who share their incredible journey from a chance encounter to becoming a powerhouse couple on the tribute show circuit.
We laugh and reminisce about our indulgent time on the Rock the Boat cruise, savoring the food, drinks, and great company, setting the stage for Amanda and James to reveal how their tribute shows like the Eva Cassidy Songbook, the Adele and Amy Songbook, and their latest Fleetwood Mac Rumours album show with Seventh Wonder came to be. Plus, get an exclusive sneak peek into their jam-packed tour schedule across Australia and New Zealand.
In addition to their professional endeavors, Amanda and James open up about their rock-and-roll love story that began in an airport bar and blossomed into a lifelong partnership. We explore the annual Bon But Not Forgotten tour, now in its 13th year, and hear tales from their recent performances at iconic venues like the Princess Theatre.
Listen closely for an exciting announcement about their upcoming shows, including a special performance in Adelaide at the Bridgeway Hotel and the Odyssey Festival at Morphettville Race Course.
This episode is a captivating blend of music, romance, and behind-the-scenes adventures that you won't want to miss!
What are The Morleys up to lately? Let's find out!!
Get out when you can, support local music and I'll see you down the front!!
Visit: ThatRadioChick.com.au
Welcome to the still rockin' it podcast, where we'll have music news, reviews and interviews with some of our favorite Australian musicians and artists. Today we are speaking to a beautiful Australian musical couple, Amanda aka Bloom and her husband, James Morley, both insanely talented artists. We're going to find out how they met, where they've been, where they're going and how you can catch one of their varied and entertaining shows. To catch up on podcasts from other favourite artists, simply go to that radiochick. com. au. I'd like to welcome into the Zoom room a lovely couple, I think the hardest working couple in Australian music James and Amanda Morley. Thank you guys for joining me today. Hi, thanks for having us. We met on Rock the Boat last year. How good was that.
James Morley:I remember nothing.
Amanda Morley:I admit to nothing. Are we still recovering?
James Morley:We might be. Yeah, the boat's great, but I think we learned our lesson the first time around and got a pacey drinking a bit. We actually didn't have too much, but we did eat a lot. I think we both put on about 15 kilos by the time we jumped off, as you do.
Cheryl Lee:Yeah, the drinks package could bite you in the butt, that's for sure.
James Morley:Absolutely. We're getting a bit old for that sort of thing these days. Anyway, yeah, no, definitely, you're still giving a good crack. Lots of sleeping and lots of eating.
Cheryl Lee:Are you doing it again this year?
James Morley:Yes, yeah, we're doing back-to-back this year. We're doing the Rock the Boat and then they've got the Flashback cruise straight after. So we're out at sea for two weeks with a little break for a couple of hours on land, but the Flashback one, that's the one that worries me. The first Rock the Boat I ever did, The Sweet we're on, myself and Andy Scott got along really well. We were drinking buddies for about five nights non-stop in a row and then I think the sixth night, the lift opened up and he was in the lift and I was standing in the waiting again and he looks at me and he goes oh God, not you again. He lives in the same town that I grew up in when I was a kid in England and stuff. So we had a lot in common.
Cheryl Lee:I think we should have a song from The Sweet now James' drinking buddy from Rock the Boat, let's have Blockbuster. Their 1973 single and the band's sole UK number one hit, spending five weeks at the top of the UK singles chart. Fun fact its Muddy Waters inspired blues riff is markedly similar to that featured on David Bowie's Jean Genie, released shortly before. All parties maintained this was just a coincidence. Back to find out what Amanda and James are up to straight after this Amanda, I just printed off 10 pages of your itinerary of your gigs.
Cheryl Lee:Oh my gosh, you're everywhere, man, there's a lot happening, isn't? Yeah, you are busy. You've got a couple of different shows, so information as to where they can find you is on the website bloomofficial. com. au. We'll start at the start. Bloom sings the Eva Cassidy songbook
Amanda Morley:I love our Eva Cassidy show. That one was born during COVID times. Because we had a lot of time on our hands, A lot of our shows were cancelled. Eddie and I, our French guitarist did you meet him on the boat as well? I might have, but I'm not admitting anything either.
Amanda Morley:He loves Eva Cassidy, I love Eva Cassidy. We were chatting and we thought, why don't we do an Eva Cassidy show? And that is way harder than we thought that was going to be, but once a year we like to just take that around the country. So that's kicking off. This month we have two shows that are almost, or one, sold out on Saturday I think the Friday is almost sold out as well and then we'll be heading around to Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney in July, I believe and then Sunday, which is your birthday, Baby Cakes, is it? Yes, it is 40.
Amanda Morley:This week we're doing the Adele and Amy songbook, which was the very first show we ever created. Of these concept shows I like to call them because they're not traditional tribute shows. I'm not pretending to be the artists or anything, but Adele and Amy that was the first show that we put together and it's still going. That was born in 2016,. Wasn't it A long time ago now? But it's always changing, always adding new hits, changing it up and whatever. So you can also find that around the country. But big exciting stuff for Adele and Amy songbook is that we're going to New Zealand later this year.
Cheryl Lee:Congratulations. And what two amazing voices to take on, and you do it so beautifully. Oh, thank you. Get onto the googleometer and get your tickets for that. And there's another one, Fleetwood Mac's Rumours album, as well, yeah, that's our new band called Seventh Wonder.
Amanda Morley:We came up with that name because someone came up to us after one of our very first Fleetwood Mac shows and the lady said you, my dear, are the seventh wonder of the world. And I thought, oh, I love that. Let's call our band that name. Obviously, you know play on words of seven wonders. That's a new baby of ours. I'm super proud of it already that the band is just able to recreate all the sounds of Fleetwood Mac. Obviously, I'd love to take a 12-piece band on the road, but you know budget. With the players that we do have. We are expanding that show with dancers and we've got dual drummers. There's just something for all the senses in that show. Those songs are much harder to recreate than what they sound, but we are all enjoying the challenge. We're loving the songs. Obviously, every song on that Rumours album is just iconic. It transports people back in time, which is one of my favourite things to do with music. There's something magic about that one. We're kicking that off again in August.
Cheryl Lee:You've sung some Stevie Nicks before, with the Stevie and Carole King show as well, so you are so, so versatile.
Amanda Morley:Yeah, I love kind of mixing it up and challenging myself and learning something from all of these singers that I cover. I love to sing my own music, of course, but I just really enjoy singing songs that are just way better than what I could ever write. They're timeless classics. And then, yeah, learning from each of the artists, like Stevie Nicks has really taught me how to move on stage and tell a story. Linda Ronstadt has you know, she uses every note of her range, so it really pushes and challenges my voice. Carole King is so like conversational in her songs so I've really learnt to connect with the lyrics and tell a story that way. So I'm loving that about my own journey, just to be able to sing these incredible songs.
Cheryl Lee:Pay homage, like you said, to the greats that came before.
Amanda Morley:Absolutely, and to create a night for all the fans where you get to hear all these songs all in one big jam.
Cheryl Lee:I love that we can still go and hear those beautiful songs that were recreated, and so I thank you for playing them for us.
Amanda Morley:Yeah, I think definitely each their own when it comes to, you know, music and that's the beautiful thing about music is everyone's got their own aesthetic that they like, or their own style, or, you know, original versus covers that great debate but at the end of the day, why not enjoy them in a live setting? Songs are always better live, I think, because they get to breathe and you get to hear all these different versions.
Cheryl Lee:We will play one of Amanda's beautiful originals later, but now I'm going to play you a Fleetwood Mac song. It is an extraordinary version Silver Springs by Bloom and Seventh Wonder. And if you'd like to see some more amazing music, go to Bloom Official Music on YouTube. We're going to be back to speak to James and Amanda Morley shortly Now. James, you've been everywhere, man as well. You were with the Choir Boys, the Angels.
James Morley:Yeah, I was with the Angels back in the early days, the Choir Boys I'm an honorary member, so if they're doing some gigs and if I'm free, if I'm not touring and I happen to be in the same state I'll jump up and do some shows with them. And I was a massive fan when I was a kid. I started touring when I was about 15 16, and the sound guy would use the first Choir Boys album to tune the pa system when we were touring, and so that quickly became one of my favorite albums of all time. So, um, then I got to meet them which is like a big buzz and then got to start playing with them and now it's like, yeah, whenever I get the opportunity I'll jump up and play on this list are some of your shows as well.
Cheryl Lee:At the moment, Bon But Not Forgotten the akadaka show.
James Morley:Yeah at the moment. We just finished doing a run of Status Quo shows. Yeah, we kick off the Bon tour that we do every year next weekend and we're going right around the country. That's something we've been doing since. Uh, oh, I think we're into our 12th year now.
Cheryl Lee:13th year every year of celebrating bond on his birthday I love that so much because, although akka daka are doing a tour but you know it's not like every weekend we can go out and watch them in our local pub. It's fabulous that you are singing those songs out there for us and keeping that music alive. The backstage video that you put up, oh my goodness at the Princess Theater in the world. How good was that I want to move in there we've been spoiled now.
James Morley:so now our riders, for every other show we're going to do, it's going to be, it's got to be, a pool table. Black interior yeah. Leather yeah. I love those Chesterfield lounges.
Cheryl Lee:That looked amazing. Brilliant theatre, awesome place to play, and you've been with our mate.
James Morley:Pete Robinson. Get old Pete. Strange fellow he is. We love Pete. I've done a few little things here and there with Pete over the years and he's such a phenomenal guitarist, but this is the first time that he's been kind of the front man up there and singing. Do you have a show in Adelaide? We are about to announce an Adelaide show tomorrow. So between me and you and everyone else that's listening, we're going to be there in October. We're playing at the Bridgeway Hotel.
Cheryl Lee:Awesome, one of our favourite venues, so you heard it first here. It's the scoop of the century.
Amanda Morley:We're coming over to Adelaide as well because of the Odyssey Festival. That's my only show in Adelaide and I think that's your only show too.
James Morley:It's my only show this year, for Status Quo. We are working on stuff for 2025, but this year is pretty much chockers done and dusted for us now, where's the Odyssey Festival At a race course?
Cheryl Lee:That's right, Morphetville Race Course. That would be awesome.
Amanda Morley:Yeah, that's our first one. Yeah, that's our first one, so really looking forward to that.
James Morley:They've done it around the country over the last few years, but they do a really good job.
Cheryl Lee:We'll look forward to that in October. listening to, still Rocking it Bon But podcast with Cheryl Lee. Well, in honour of the Bond but Dirt Not Forgotten, tour, title track from the Dirty Deeds Done, dirt Cheap album from 1976. Back to speak groovers to more to the Morleys after this. How did you two grievers meet and fall in love, are we?
Amanda Morley:I there at the airport, at the specific terminal that we first met on the weekend, because I was flying out to Carnarvon and James was in Brisbane. I was saying to the band this was the meeting place. There was a bar at T2. There's always a bar, isn't there? I think they were early morning, 6am beers or something. Yeah, it was at the airport. I was filling in for one of your gigs. I think it was a New Year's Eve gig or something.
James Morley:We were going out to a mine site somewhere I think it was BHP were having their Christmas party or New Year's party and they invited us to go up and play and had a another lady singing with me. We were both the front people and she got sick, but she recommended Amanda. So I got in touch with Amanda and she said, yeah, no worries, I've never met her before, but she came highly recommended.
Amanda Morley:Luckily she could sing and I was like Ja mes Morley's ringing why what's happening? I've just remembered that that was actually the first time we gigged together and spent time together. But I think a mutual friend introduced us at another pub. Another pub yeah, there's a common theme here. At another pub. But that was just a very brief like shake hands, nice to meet you, and that was it. So that was actually the very first time. It was Mark Gale that introduced us. It was Mark Gale that introduced us I think I said who's that I didn't say that though.
James Morley:No, it was me that said that. She's never said that.
Amanda Morley:And then the rest is history, because we did that first gig together and then you just wouldn't stop ringing me to do more gigs, and then you wouldn't stop ringing me to go to dinner.
James Morley:It was an excuse to hang out.
Amanda Morley:Come do a gig. It was the slowest burn, wasn't it it? Off the ground like over a year. He was quite persistent, actually. But then I moved to Melbourne and we by default moved in together because I had another apartment lined up and I didn't like it. So then James said we'll come back to my apartment, let's have a coffee and we'll regroup and decide what we're going to do.
James Morley:That coffee lasted seven years, yeah, and then I moved into his apartment, which was right on the bay and I was like well, I like this one.
Amanda Morley:And then I just stayed there, didn't I? Yeah, we've been inseparable ever since. We've got one of those relationships where we're together all the time. Yeah, it's great.
Cheryl Lee:Oh, I love that. That's a real rock and roll love story, isn't it?
James Morley:I don't know if we'd make a movie.
Cheryl Lee:So it's not like you were like on the stage and glanced at each other's eyes and realised it was true love. It was the pub.
James Morley:Yeah, it was just the pub. I'd had a few too many, obviously.
Amanda Morley:I was so nervous to sing with James because James has a standard of performance, and so I think I even ended up in therapy because I was like I'm too nervous. What's happening to me, I don't know why. I just felt really, really nervous.
Cheryl Lee:Because it must be love. That's why.
Amanda Morley:Maybe I didn't realise that those butterflies were love.
Cheryl Lee:I can be your therapist now. Aw, all that talk about love and the fact that James played with the Angels, one of my fave bands, don't need to ask me twice to play one of their songs. How about a nice ballad? Be With You. Back to speak to Mr and Mrs Morley straight after this. I just want to ask you guys about your experience, because sometimes these experiences are good and can help careers and help confidence and what have you and sometimes it's the complete opposite. Interesting to see how you guys found it. The voice, generations good, bad, indifferent very indifferent.
Amanda Morley:They did ask us not to ruin the magic of television it's very different to performing live, isn't it, which is what we prefer?
James Morley:very different yeah, oh, look it's, uh, it's a false reality, basically well, it's tv.
Amanda Morley:Yeah, it's lighting. It's about what you're wearing. It's about your hair and makeup, and you're being pulled from pillar to post into all the different departments. Quick, get your hair done now, your makeup now. Then you get on set. Oh no, we don't like your hair like that. Let's go back, change it, and there's a lot of chaos. Everything happens really quick and that's tv. Personally, as an artist, I prefer live performance on stage.
Cheryl Lee:That's just what I Do you think the actual music gets lost somewhere in there? I don't think it's in the top priority.
James Morley:It's not about the music, and it's not necessarily about your ability to sing either. It's about being able to sell the show for the people to watch so they can sell the ad space.
Cheryl Lee:Ratings ratings ratings Dollars dollars, dollars.
Amanda Morley:Everybody knows that. But at the time, you know, we decided to go for it because we weren't doing anything. You know, COVID had put a stop to everything, and especially live music, and they'd cut capacities at venues and you could go but you weren't allowed to dance and there was all that stuff going on, you know. So it was like well, when else are we going to play to half a million people?
James Morley:We got stuck there over Christmas and new year as well, so we're actually in a hotel room for about six weeks and we weren't allowed to go outside, couldn't go to the shops or anything, because you know they're like if you get covid or if you're in contact with any anybody, the whole production gets shut down pretty strict remember someone got covid on set and so the whole production did get shut down.
Amanda Morley:Yeah, and they were going, were going to send us home for Christmas and pick up production after Christmas, and on that particular day was when McGowan made the announcement saying closed for Christmas, we were like, oh my gosh. So we were just stuck there which tests your relationship, doesn't it? In a one bedroom apartment.
Cheryl Lee:He's taking the Fifth Amendment. Good boy, it's hard to believe now, isn't it? When we look back on that? Such a weird, strange, wacky time, I can hardly even believe it happened.
Amanda Morley:Same it feels like a dream almost.
Cheryl Lee:A movie or something. Yeah, it doesn't feel real. I'm pretty sure in Perth you guys were like Adelaide, we were nothing like Sydney and Melbourne we were pretty lucky really.
James Morley:Same. Yeah, we had 50% capacity put on venues so we could still operate in some of those bigger venues and play to 300 people, because apparently, if you're two metres away from somebody, you couldn't catch COVID. So that was great. So, yeah, we were lucky in that context and there was no competition. There was no international tours coming through. So whenever you put a show on, it sold out like that.
Amanda Morley:you know which was kind of great and we did do those driveway sessions, remember yeah, we did some um some live facebook shows, which were great.
James Morley:We ended up getting, like you know, international fan base. We did.
Amanda Morley:Yeah, it was really good people started coming to our shows afterwards and they were like, oh my gosh, your driveway sessions kept us going through covid every friday night. We loved it and that was awesome, awesome way to stay connected and to just give that to the same for them to look forward to.
Cheryl Lee:Good that you found that you have had a positive out of what for many people was pretty devastating time in Sydney and Melbourne. They couldn't even leave the house. We could at least go to the shops and the chemist exercise here in Adelaide and I think Perth was similar. Yeah, yeah, we were. Yeah, one good thing did come out. You got a very good compliment from the voices, Jessica Mauboy. She said about your vocal ability that it's the best voice by far that she'd heard on the show.
Amanda Morley:We knew that I think she was talking to you too. It says her. I think she was talking to James. It's all good, we'll take it.
Cheryl Lee:We quite often hear that appearances on reality TV shows can be a bit hit and miss, but gee, did Amanda and James do us proud? On the Voice Generations, let's hear the song that they performed, Adele's Rolling in the Deep Care of Channel 7. Their different styles complemented each other amazingly and it's one of the best versions of this song that I've ever heard. Jessica Mowboy and Rita Ora both agreed pretty quickly and turned their chairs around, and I think you'll agree as well. Back to speak to James and Amanda straight after this. Get onto the Google-o-meter. Look at all the dates of all the different shows. There's something there for everybody everywhere. Man got any more scoops, any secret plans on the horizon?
James Morley:just finished recording a single for Amanda uh, one of her originals with , who is the drummer for human nature amongst other bands, and his beautiful wife Chelsea, and so they co-write some stuff with Amanda and my input, where it's welcomed. So we've just finished putting the final touches to a single. Not sure when that's going to come out, what's it?
Amanda Morley:called. We're still deciding on the title. We haven't decided yet.
Cheryl Lee:Like the Masters Apprentices and call it Undecided.
Amanda Morley:Yeah, it's so funny. Like you finish the whole song and then everyone's like so what should it be called? And then everyone's got their ideas about it. So we're still discussing that, but it's got a really beautiful message behind it. So you know when I can share the details. Absolutely, I'm excited. I'm going to release original music. I just really want it to have a positive impact and ripple effect to everyone who hears it, just want to leave a little bit of mark on the world.
James Morley:Yes, get a few more singles under the belt so that hopefully, maybe middle of next year, we can release an album Album.
Cheryl Lee:Awesome. So stay tuned, watch this space. Yeah, that should be fun. One last question, then, and I'll let you go, because I know you guys are extremely busy and I really appreciate you spending a little bit of time chatting with us and letting us get to know you today. This one's for you, James. If you're an Adelaide girl, you know Cold Chisel and the Angels are written a bit got any dirt you can spill on the touring time with the angels. Nothing you can tell, I suppose.
Amanda Morley:Yes, you should do a book. I keep telling him to do one.
James Morley:Oh look, lots of stories, but I'm not sure there could be kids watching this right, so keep that to ourselves.
Amanda Morley:Oh, he's like a vault, isn't he Damn it.
Cheryl Lee:That was cool for you. We'll have to wait for the book, I guess, yeah one day. All right, you two, we love you. We can't wait to see you somewhere in your touring of this great country of ours. I'll see you down the front somewhere, probably at the Bridgeway, I'd imagine.
James Morley:Beautiful, sounds good.
Cheryl Lee:Have a great rest of your day, guys. Thank you again for chatting with me today. Thanks for having us. Thank you, Bye. While we wait patiently for the brand new single to be released, let's go out with one of Bloom's beautiful originals Love Is A Lie.
Cheryl Lee:You're with Cheryl Lee, that radio chick. Thank you so much for joining me on the Still Rocking it podcast. Hope to catch you again next time. Get out when you can support Aussie music. No-transcript.