Railplane by Railplane
Steph Miller - vocals, octave mandolin, guitar, whistles
Stephen Mitchell - bodhrán, percussion, whistles, vocals
Edmond Kairouz - guitar, mandolin, flute, vocals
Railplane are from Sydney, Australia.
Ed and Steph have been friends for many years and have a mutual love of all kinds of music, from rock to Celtic folk and everything in between. Having played together on stage and in the studio with different bands and projects the time had come to explore their love of folk styles - songs and tune playing - in a more permanent way. The search for a bodhrán player was triumphant and Stephen, from Trim, County Meath, completed the trio.
Early rehearsals indicated a real and lasting connection. Ideas and arrangements flowed and the band felt as if they’d been playing together for years. Friendships were solidified in a common love of folk music and history, working on arrangements and harmonies and generally having a ball.
Steph has been writing songs for many years and new material was soon added to the Railplane repertoire. The set evolved to include a balance of original songs, traditional songs and tunes and versions of songs by the band’s favourite songwriters. Ed’s Lebanese heritage added a unique dimension with his original tunes enhancing the sound. Stephen’s tight and melodic bodhrán playing and effective use of small kit and percussion, inspired by his Irish upbringing, unified the music.
The band’s name was inspired by Scottish inventor, George Bennie, and his creation the Railplane, a vehicle that ran on overhead tracks driven by propellers.
The eponymously titled ‘Railplane’ EP shows the band pulling out all stops, adding additional instruments played by the band members and guests. Recorded by good friend Greg Ryan in a shed in Sydney.
Tracklist
| 1. | Was There Anything I Could Do? | 3:31 |
| 2. | No Longer To Walk On | 3:52 |
| 3. | Burning Trains | 3:52 |
| 4. | Windradyne/The Traveller's Key | 3:41 |
| 5. | Red Georgia Clay | 5:33 |
| 6. | Was There Anything I Could Do? (The Pyramid Mix) | 3:34 |
Credits
All songs by Steph Miller except "Was There Anything I Could Do?" by Forster/McLennan
Recorded in the shed by Greg Ryan - additional banjo and flute recording on Windradyne by Edmond Kairouz
Mixed by Greg Ryan and Michael Bates
except "Was There Anything I Could Do? (The Pyramid Mix)" mixed by Greg Ryan
Mastered by William Bowden - King Willy Sound
Produced by Greg Ryan, Michael Bates and Railplane
Railplane would like to give heartfelt thanks to Greg Ryan for his expertise, knowledge and dedication to the recording of these songs, rain, hail and shine.
We'd also like to thank Michael Bates for overseeing the mixes and the final production in his studio.
And thank you to -
Peter Miller for the layout and weaving his magic on the sleeve
Alec Smart for the back cover photograph
William Bowden for the mastering
Harry Fuller for the great double bass playing on "No Longer To Walk On"
Alex Jacobs for the shruti drone recording
Andy and Ken for the props
Mark for the 12 string
All our partners, family and friends
Steph, Stephen and Edmond
July 2022
