From their debut at the ECS Christmas sale launch, South Sea Shantymen were well rehearsed and already had the T shirts printed. Impressed by their music, we interviewed founder Pete McMahon.
Why did you start the group?
“A few months ago I was on a plane to London and I watched a movie about a bunch of blokes from Cornwall. I thought ‘that looks like a bit of fun, there is probably room for that in Esperance’. I contacted Grizz (Albany Shantymen and Albany Shanty Festival founder Gary Greenwald) for advice.
“Originally it was going to be for men and women, but at the first meeting we had about eight turn up and it was eight blokes.
“They all made it clear it was just going to be fellers and I said ‘if that’s what you want!’
“I was blown away by the quality of the voices, I was expecting them to need some vocal training because I’m a retired music teacher.
“Perhaps a bit too boisterous at times, perhaps a bit shouty but we have reined that in a bit.”
Do you have any more gigs?
“We are playing at Edge of the Bay at the end of November and the Christmas pageant, plus Kyza wants to get us a gig at the Brewery.
“We would like to get a few more paid gigs to cover the PA system and things like that, anything left will go towards rum and beer.”
At their debut the ensemble sang a set of mostly sea shanties, plus a few other folksy numbers like the Pogues’ Dirty Old Town.
Worth looking out for.
