Unique acoustic style evolves from a chance meeting
By Kathy Dumbleton
Beautifully Broken 1770 are musical duo Amanda Heartsong and Laurie Rayment.
Beautifully Broken 1770 perform at Gladstone's Crow St Creative. Photo by Crow St resident Photopia Studio.
Both locals from Captain Creek, the pair look upon their partnership as a happy accident. Their musical relationship was formed in August last year when Laurie was playing a gig at the Agnes Tavern. He was looking for a singer, and Amanda just happened to be there looking to do vocals.
The name for the band come from a song idea of Laurie's, inspired by Amanda after she purchased a broken vase.
"Amanda had said that she had bought the vase because it was broken," Laurie recalled.
"Everyone is broken in some way, but it ends up making us who we are.
"Because Amanda was there with me when I was writing it, she already knew how to sing it," Laurie said.
Amanda says they added the "1770" to their name to reflect the beautiful part of the world they live in.
While Amanda handles the business and promotion side of the band, Laurie is happy writing and playing music.
"Laurie is the genius behind it all," Amanda said. "He writes lyrics, plays guitar, bass and drums."
While the band plays blues and classic rock covers, Laurie is a talented songwriter currently working on many original songs. He credits Facebook feedback and live shows as a great tool in gauging the audience’s response to new music.
Amanda and Laurie perform on home turf at the 1770 Festival. Photo by Captain Cook 1770 Festival.
"It’s important to know that a song is worth pursuing and developing," Laurie said.
Even though the acoustic duo have only been together a year, they have set up a home studio on their veranda and have been
kept busy with gigs as well as making their own music.
The band has upcoming performances in the Gladstone and Calliope area and consider themselves lucky to be doing what they love.
"It’s pretty amazing we get to do this every day!" Amanda said.
Amanda and Laurie’s unique acoustic style is certainly one to watch.
"We are hoping to touch a lot more people through our music," Laurie said.