Stove top for folk in Africa

By Cherie Donnellan
WHAT do an accordion, cooking and Africa have in common?
Folk duo Lucy and Mischa, that’s what.
The pair’s upcoming Torquay gig will help resident Val Clarke fundraise for her charity, Clean Stoves for Africa.
Lucy Wise and Mischa Herman share a love for Celtic music tradition – Wise having grown up performing at folk festivals with her family’s band and Herman inheriting from his father a talent for playing the accordion.
After fate brought the two together at a music festival “some years ago”, Wise said she asked Herman to join her new musical venture, Lucy Wise and the B’Gollies.
But Herman conceded that one band was never enough in folk music circles.
“Lucy’s played with a band called String Theory and I have a Celtic duo with Evan Davies. I also play in a tango quintet in Melbourne,” Herman said.
“It’s actually common for folk people to be in a few bands at once. You kind of have to if you want to survive.”
Herman said he enjoyed the “freedom” of a duo with Lucy.
“It’s a lot more flexible playing with just two people but you also get to have your role.
“Lucy sings and I provide the accompaniment. She also plays ukulele, guitar and appellation dulcimer and I’ll do a bit of extended soloing on the accordion.
Herman promised audiences an “intimate concert”.
“We invite our audience to understand and be a part of the different stories of the songs that we present.”
Lucy and Mischa will play from 2pm Sunday at Torquay Uniting Church.