Saint John's Tomato/Tomato make 'whirlwind' trip to Australian Music Week

Saint John bluegrass duo Tomato/Tomato have made a name touring around the Maritimes. Now, the husband-and-wife duo - in addition to a ECMA nomination for their 2014 album So It Goes and winning CBC's regional Searchlight competition - are breaking into the international music scene.

John and Lisa McLaggan got a surprise phone call last month inviting them to Sydney, Australia, to play a 20-minute set at Australian Music Week.

It meanta whirlwind, four-day trip around the globe.

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"We realize it's kind of stupid," said Lisa McLaggan, "but it was worth it."

Australian Music Week is a music and entertainment industry conference held Nov. 2-4. that includes workshops, networking opportunities, and a showcase of 100 artists from around the world.

Taking the show on the road

Despite the "out of the blue" offer, Tomato/Tomato didn't over think it.

"We realized if we said no," John said, "then someone else would say 'yes.'I think you have to take some opportunities when they come. We said decided to say yes, and figure it out later."

"Your heart races a bit," Lisa added.

They packed up the washboard, bass drum and tambourine and embarked on the gruelling, 35-hour trip.

"We hadn't applied, so we were quite surprised to be chosen as their wildcard pick to go," John said.

20 minutes to strut stuff

The McLaggans said finally arriving in "sunny, colourful" Australia was a surreal and wonderful experience.

"It's kind of a magical wonderland over there," said Lisa.

The showcase was a chance to play in front of industry professionals from across the globe, as well as participate in workshops.

"It's very similar to what happens at the ECMAs," said John - and, as usual, the two "rehearsed intensely."

"You've got 20 minutes and you know exactly what tunes you're going to play and what you're going to say in between," he said. "It's a real show."

The hard work and long hours spent in transit paid off.

"We played two strong sets and felt really great about how we played afterward," said Lisa.

"Considering that people tend to decide what they think about music within a minute or two, 20 minutes is a long time."

'Like Maritimers with tans'

The Australian crowds, they said, were great.

"The people there are basically like Maritimers with tans," said John.

Tomato/Tomato are hoping to line up some Australian tour dates next summer.

"We're in the middle of piecing something together for August already," he said.

"We loved it. It was beautiful," said Lisa. "The people were great, the food was amazing, and we're excited to go back."

Tomato/Tomato will play a special fundraiser show at 7 p.m. on Nov. 24at River Cross Church to benefit Lyfe Aid, an organization that sets up clinics and provides free medications in developing countries, as well as providing necessities like toothbrushes, pencils, toys, and clothing. Tickets are $20 and available via the event page on Facebook.