Vallecito, CA…Twisted Oak Winery is pleased to announce the final concert of our 2015 Twisted Folk Concert Series – featuring Australia’s greatest folk-rock-blues export, The Waifs. I first excountered The Waifs back in the 1990s,” said winery owner Jeff Stai. “Back then, people would share their favorite music with friends on cassette ‘mixtapes’, and one of my college friends loaded one up that included several songs by The Waifs. I was hooked. Once we started this concert series it was my goal to get The Waifs here – and yay! We finally did it!”

A yummy bratwurst sandwich dinner – pork, chicken, or vegetarian – with watermelon salad will be available for purchase, along with yummy Twisted Oak wine, brownies, popcorn, and soft drinks. Concertgoers are welcome to bring their own picnics but we ask that no outside alcoholic beverages be brought in.

Seating at Twisted Folk concerts is outdoor festival style, first-come, first-served – bring a low beach-type chair or a blanket. We’re on top of a hill and there is always an evening breeze – it can get a little chilly after dark so please plan ahead.

Twisted Oak Winery is located in the foothills of Calaveras County, and specializes in wines made from Mediterranean varieties like Tempranillo, Viognier, and Petite Sirah. We’re also known for being the home of the world-famous “Rubber Chicken National Forest.” Our concert venue, located at the winery in Vallecito, sits on a hilltop that commands a sweeping view of the Sierra Nevada and the surrounding foothills, presided over by a 350-year old California Blue Oak that graces the label of every wine we bottle.

“Where do we take it from here?” sings Vikki Thorn on Day Dreamer, one of the most uplifting moments on The Waifs’ extraordinary sixth album, Temptation.

It’s a question the much-loved Australian band has asked itself several times in the 21 years since Thorn, her sister Donna Simpson and guitarist Josh Cunningham set off on their incredible journey.

A trip that began in a van in 1992, with the three troubadours playing gigs anywhere in Australia that would have them, has led The Waifs to multiple ARIA awards, platinum albums and successful tours across the world. The hard yards in those early days paid off in terms of their career, but also bound the three of them together as friends.

Josh, Donna and Vikki have all moved on in their personal lives since those formative years, whether through relationships, having children or relocating to different parts of the world, yet The Waifs’ journey continues.

The sisters left their home in Albany, Western Australia in 1992 as the duo Colours. They met Cunningham in Broome, WA and became The Waifs. The group forged their way on the Australian live circuit for most the 1990s, releasing albums such as their self titled debut in 1996 and Shelter Me in 1998, selling them mostly at shows. The third album, 2000’s Sink or Swim, raised their profile and allowed the band to perform in Canada and the United States, attracting rave reviews in the process.

The biggest turning point came with the EP London Still (2002), which gave the band its first Australian hit. Followed in 2003 by the Lighthouse EP and the album Up All Night, which has gone double platinum in Australia and earned them four ARIA awards. That same year they toured Australia with Bob Dylan, who subsequently invited them to join him on his North American tour. Further hits, such as Bridal Train and Stay, have followed, along with live albums, more awards and ecstatic reviews for their live performances.

(For more background on the current tour, there is an excellent article here: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/michael-bialas/the-waifs-take-a-beautifu_b_7953892.html)

http://www.thewaifs.com/

What: Twisted Folk Concert Series Presents The Waifs

Where: Twisted Oak Winery, 4280 Red Hill Rd at Hwy 4, Vallecito
When: Saturday, August 22nd, 2015 – 7:45pm. Concertgoers admitted 6:45pm

Ticket Information:
Tickets $35 advance ($30 Twisted Few wine club members), or $40 at the door, if available.
Children 12 and under: $10. 100% of children’s ticket sales will be directed to supporting music education in local schools.

For more info, or to purchase tickets: 209-736-9080, twistedoak.com/concerts