THE prospect of being in a van with a sibling while travelling throughout Australia for three months would be unthinkable for many people.
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Not folk music performer Jodi Martin, who is being joined on the road by her original band member and bass-playing sister Robyn.
“Of course it has its moments, but we love each other and we work it out,” Jodi Martin said.
“We have good strategies for working it out.
“I’m in heaven, playing with my sister again.
“She toured with me on my first record, but she’s been working and raising a family.
“I cried when she said she’d come on this tour with me. She took her long-service leave to go on this tour.”
South Australian singer/songwriter Martin hails from Ceduna’s coastal desert region, and is now also partially based in Adelaide and Melbourne.
She began writing at the age of four.
Now in her 30’s, the musician has been clocking up the kilometres with her suitcase and guitar since the age of 17.
At 16, her song Why was recorded by Kasey Chambers on the Dead Ringer Band’s ARIA Award-winning album, Home Fires.
Latest release Saltwater is Martin's third studio album and follows several years based in eastern Canada.
Dramatic changes recently swept through Martin’s life and Saltwater’s songs navigate her challenging journey through the tragic loss of her brother and then her home, to a fire.
Engaging with her extended family while touring is a crucial component of her life.
“I feel so lucky; my community is all over the world,” she said.
“One of the things I love is I get to see everyone again on the road.
“Folk music is such a good bunch of people. The people who follow my music become my friends.
“They’re such beautiful people, and they want to make the world a better place.”
Martin recently released an extended version of Saltwater.
She’s playing these shows in support of latest single Diesel, a song which “just kind of sums up my life”, containing references to the tour van and op-shopping.
However, she admits touring can be an expensive endeavour – which is where her dedicated following pitch in.
“For this tour I’ve got an amazing street team around the country.
“They want to see me play and be in their town, and they’re helping spread the word.
“To stage a 30-date tour of a whole country that is so big, it’s too expensive. Social media is the only way you can afford to let people know about the shows.”
Jodi Martin will perform on Sunday, September 4 at Kiama Community Centre.
Doors open 2pm, and the music starts at 2.30pm.
Tickets: Illawarra Folk Club members $15, non-members $20, youths (12-16), children (under-12) free.