Sweethearts (music group)
The Sweethearts Foundation Inc. | |
| Formation | 1989 |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Matthew Flinders Girls Secondary College |
Founder | Ross Lipson |
| Website | http://sweethearts.com.au |
Sweethearts is a school music group founded in Geelong, Australia in 1989 who play new soul – a fusion of styles based around classic soul and Motown.[1][2] They have an international following and have played concerts at several large music festivals.[3]
History[edit]
The Sweethearts began at Matthew Flinders Girls Secondary College under the direction of Ross Lipson, initially as a social band for teachers and students in Years 10-12 of high school.[3] Lipson was a science and instrumental teacher at the school, who with colleagues from the music department, decided to form a group to play jazz standards and soul music. Word of mouth spread and they began to book gigs.[3]
The Sweethearts Foundation was formed in 2000 as a not-for-profit organisation to support the Sweethearts program and band.[4] In 2005, Lipson and his colleague Rick McLean transformed the group into a two-year Certificate IV course in music after being given professional development time by the Education Department. It was said to be the highest industry-based qualification offered by any Australian school in 2013.[3] A separate Sweethearts Music Academy was formed in 2012 to provide mentoring and training for musicians aged 8-13.[1]
Sweethearts were the subject of a 2013 multi-part documentary Heart and Soul on the Australian ABC3 television network. Filmed over almost two years, the documentary followed the girls touring internationally while managing their school work.[1][5][6] A second series of Heart and Soul featuring The Sweethearts was produced in 2015 and was nominated for a 2015 International Kid’s Emmy.[7]
The group have performed at the Queenscliff Music Festival, Porretta Soul Festival, Montreux Jazz Festival, and Jazz à Vienne,[3][8] and have had air play on Australia's national radio network Triple J with their song "Secret".[9]
The Sweethearts Foundation also founded Sweetfest, a musical festival held in Geelong celebrating female musicians. The free annual festival began in 2018 and returned in 2022 after not being held for two years.[10][11]
In 2014 Lipson died of cancer.[12] The Sweethearts Foundation and Queenscliff Music Festival founded the Ross Lipson Award in his honour to recognise excellence in local female musicians.[13][14] The current music director is Michael Fitzgerald.[4]
Discography[edit]
- Red in Your Eyes (2012)
- Bar Roma (2013)
- Heart and Soul (2015)
- Four Leaf Clover (2016)
- Don't Feel Yourself (2019)
References[edit]
- ^ a b c Pilcher, Tiffany (20 March 2013). "Swinging soul sweethearts". Surf Coast Times. Archived from the original on 29 April 2013. Retrieved 2 May 2022.
- ^ TBNN - Youth News Sport and Entertainment. "The Sweethearts". TBNN. Retrieved 1 September 2013.
- ^ a b c d e Ryan, Denise (27 February 2012). "School band savours sweet success". The Age. Retrieved 2 May 2022.
- ^ a b Oliver, Kylie (12 May 2021). "Sweet music returns to Geelong streets". Surf Coast Times. Retrieved 2 May 2022.
- ^ "Heart&Soul (2013– )". www.imdb.com. Retrieved 1 September 2013.
- ^ "Heart And Soul : ABC TV". Abc.net.au. Retrieved 1 September 2013.
- ^ Knox, David (25 August 2015). "Returning: Heart & Soul". TV Tonight. Retrieved 2 May 2022.
- ^ "25 Years of Sweethearts Soul Music". Forte Magazine. 13 November 2014. Retrieved 30 April 2022.
- ^ Andrew Mathieson (14 May 2010). "Song could unearth Sweethearts". Geelong Independent. Retrieved 1 September 2013.
- ^ "Geelong's free festival Sweetfest is on this weekend with a fierce all-female lineup". Forte Magazine. 17 February 2022. Retrieved 2 May 2022.
- ^ Hui, Jin (28 February 2022). "Sweetfest to take over Central Geelong". Geelong Independent. Retrieved 2 May 2022.
- ^ Lannen, Danny (11 December 2014). "Sweethearts mourn leader's passing". Geelong Advertiser. Retrieved 2 May 2022.
- ^ Thompson, Jim Darby, Bill Lipson, Mark Pullin and Sandy (25 February 2015). "Teacher gave taste for adventure to landmark music initiative". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2 May 2022.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Hui, Jin (1 December 2016). "Year finishes on a high note". Ocean Grove Voice. Retrieved 2 May 2022.