So Where To Today?

Sydney

What: Fred Smith @ Paddo RSL

When: Friday August 15 19:30

15 August is the 80th Anniversary of the surrender of the Japanese in the Pacific. It’s also the fourth anniversary of the fall of Kabul.

To mark the occasion, Fred Smith and band will serve up a survey in song of the experiences of Australians at war beginning with the iconic works of Henry Lawson, Eric Bogle, Don Walker (Cold Chisel) and John Schumann (Redgum), leading through to his own firsthand song-stories from the valleys of Uruzgan Province.

The performance offers a gritty and personal account of the on-the-ground realities faced by our soldiers in offshore conflicts.

Framed by a stunning collection of projected photos and some cheeky Aussie humour, the songs are set in historical context, honouring the sacrifices made while asking some timely questions about the costs and benefits of our “alliance wars”.

Media Quotes “Finely observed snapshots of a harsh, sad and funny reality…balancing drama and humour…towering artistic achievement” John Shand, SMH

“Fred Smith is an exceptional songwriter… a cycle of songs that are raw, remarkably honest and suitably ambivalent about the nature of war.” Bruce Elder, Sydney Morning Herald

“Simply, this is a story that must be told - and must be heard. Do not miss this - it’s too important” John Schumann, Redgum

How Much:

Who: Fred Smith

Country

Over the last 20 years Fred Smith has emerged as one of Australia’s most interesting songwriters. He has been all over the joint: working on peace keeping missions in Afghanistan and the South Pacific, touring in America and travelling the Australian festival circuit.

He is the subject of the film Bougainville Sky about his time in the war-torn islands of the South Pacific where his work as a musician and radio broadcaster contributed to the success of the world’s first unarmed peace keeping force.

Fred was the first Australian diplomat to be posted to Uruzgan in July of 2009. He wrote a powerful collection of songs about the realities of life for soldiers and civilians in this difficult war, recently released on a high acclaimed album called Dust of Uruzgan.

He has put out about 10 CDs, two of which won National Film and Sound Archives Awards. Some of these were joint efforts with Liz Frencham and the Spooky Men’s Chorale.

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