February 25th, 2020Mary Doumany and her Delta electric harp
FOR most people, the sound and image of the harp ring with associations to angels, celtic ballads, New Age music or symphony orchestras.
For Central Highlands harpist Mary Doumany, the harp is a source of sonic discovery and untapped possibilities. She uses it to perform jazz, experimental music, soundscapes, rock and everything in between.
Born into a musical family, Mary began lessons on the piano at seven. “Love of music brought my parents together. They were both singers, with different musical interests, intersecting at opera,” says Mary. “Dad loved traditional music so the house was often filled with the sounds of flamenco, Greek, Russian and Arabic music.” Her paternal grandfather was an oud player whilst her maternal grandfather played for the silent movies at Sydney’s Princess Theatre during the 1930s.
It all went into the sonic melting pot for the budding musician who finally started harp lessons at the age of 12, going on to graduate from the Queensland Conservatorium and then on to studies in London.
“It seemed the most mysterious thing at the time, this contraption standing nearly 185cm tall, with seven pedals and strings hanging in mid air.”
The harp became her passion, taking her all over the world. She moved to Melbourne from Queensland in 1990 and formed a band with bassist Jeremy Alsop called The Lovers. They got noticed by John Farnham and Ross Fraser and were signed to their label, Gotham BMG. For the next 10 years, Mary’s focus was on writing songs and singing with the harp. Nominated for five Aria awards, their recordings featured luminaries Slava Grigoryan, David Jones, David Hirshfelder and Joe Chindamo. During this time, she kept her classical gigs going with the Melbourne Symphony and Australian Pops orchestras as well.
“I guess I have an insatiable appetite for exploration. It led me into jazz and experimental music, and it got me singing with the harp as well,” she explains. On tour to Japan with James Hullick’s sonic art group, The Bolte Ensemble in 2014, Mary fell in love twice: once with her current partner, Michael and once with Tokyo and its vibrant music scene. Since 2014, she has been spending time between the Central Highlands and Tokyo – playing, teaching harp, voice and piano and composing.
Teaching is another of her passions, helping others find their unique voices through music.
On Sunday, March 10 from 3pm at the Kyneton Mechanics Institute, Mary will introduce her newest love to the world: the Delta electric harp.
Made of graphite, it operates like an electric guitar and it can be held across the body or put on a stand. “This changes everything,” she says. “I’m only at the very beginning of my exploration into the possibilities of an electric harp – new sounds and increased volume. I’ll be playing rock, world and experimental music at the concert.” She will be joined by Trentham East guitarist Robbie Melville.
“I’m only at the very beginning of my exploration into the possibilities of an electric harp – new sounds and increased volume.”
Link: www.trybooking.com/BATDC
Words & image: Contributed
