About Linda Mehrtens

Linda Mehrtens is member of Lithgow Folk Club who plays a most unusual instrument, one that is not normally associated with folk music. Linda plays the harp but, not only plays, she designs and makes them as well.

Born in North Canterbury in New Zealand, (no she doesn’t know anything about rugby) she is number two of four sisters and, even as a child, Linda felt that what was on offer for girls in education and recreational activities was not what she wanted. She had piano lessons which just left her feeling frustrated and unable to connect to music in the way she wanted to.

After leaving school Linda left New Zealand and spent three years traveling and working all over Europe and the UK. The music scene was very vibrant and she had the chance to experience and appreciate all sorts of music from jazz to classical. During this period she began to appreciate that music was more than rigid piano lessons, it could be fun, fulfilling, satisfying, elating, exciting as well soothing.

Whilst hitchhiking in Europe in 1977, Linda found herself at the Montro Jazz Festival in Geneva. She particularly remembers the performance by the legendary Muddy Waters, sleeping under the stars on the jetty, being woken in the morning by the local police when it was time to get up, and attending many of the free concerts that were held in the Casino.

Leaving Geneva she hitchhiked to Finland to attend a chamber music festival, and also to work for a while to restock the coffers and be able to keep traveling.

Always on the lookout for whatever music was available, from opera to bands in pubs, Linda continued to work and travel always wanting more from music but not being sure how she could get involved other than as a spectator.

In 1979 Linda returned to New Zealand to continue her education and she graduated from University with a Science Degree.

By 1988 Linda had migrated to Australia and when she attended a folk festival in the southern highlands of NSW she came across someone playing the harp. Immediately  bewitched by the beautiful sounds and entranced by the graceful, rhythmic method of playing, Linda fell in love with the harp and knew that she had to have one.

Realizing she had no money and no hope of ever buying a harp, Linda decided that if she was to own one, she would have to make it. A friend found her the plans for a small simple harp and away she went.  To her joy her harp worked the way it should.

Around the same time Linda had the great fortune to meet guitar maker Jack Spira and over the next few years she learned a lot from him about the design and construction of all sorts of musical instruments including guitars and hammered dulcimers. But, most importantly, he provided her with the confidence to begin designing and making harps. Jack impressed on Linda that he considered it more than worthwhile to help her learn woodworking and design, skills which were then traditionally male dominated. It was very validating and inspiring for her to be associated with someone with such talent as well as a positive and generous spirit.

Linda had found her niche in the music world, but after mastering making harps she thought that she had better learn how to play them.  She had lessons with classical harpist Jayne Hockley and bought books to learn from, but it wasn’t until she attended a workshop at the National Folk Festival with Welsh Harpist Robin Hew Bowen that everything clicked into place for her. His teaching style matched her learning style and she has never looked back.

As well as the harp Linda also plays the recorder which she says is a very inexpensive, social and portable instrument that is accessible to anyone who wants to start somewhere on the river of music.

Linda feels that there is a place for everyone in music as long as they enjoy what they do, and her feelings about Lithgow folk club are that it is a very welcoming and supportive atmosphere for all musicians wherever they are in their musical journey.

“A life without music is a mistake” (Goethe)

Gary Bucholtz

Martin Doherty

Fintan aka Craig Batty

Glenda Phipps

Mark Roebuck

Cil Van der Velden