Two of the most exciting emerging voices in Australian folk music are coming to Nowa Nowa.
On Sunday, June 30, Nowa Nowa Community Development Group will be hosting a special double album launch afternoon concert from Mickey and Michelle and Broken Creek at Nowa Nowa Community Hall from 2-5pm.
From Celtic-infused chamber folk to reimagined Australiana, audiences will be transported across vast musical landscapes on harp, fiddle, guitar, banjo and voice.
Celebrated for their artistry and virtuosic skill, Mickey and Michelle are a Geelong-based fiddle and harp duo who weave a gorgeous chamber-folk tapestry of original Celtic music infused with vocal harmonies and fiery improvisations.
They are on a 21-date tour across Australia to launch their new album Solace in Wonder made up of music inspired by their epic six-month hike of New Zealand’s Te Araroa trail, nature and the sense of community felt in the Australian music scene.
“This album has spent five years in development. We’re excited to finally be able to share these songs and tunes with audiences and we’re ready for the cathartic release of letting them loose on stage,” harpist Michelle said.
“We’ll play our little hearts out and take you on a journey. You will hear the harp unlike you’ve ever heard it before – its soaring beauty, but also aggressive and wild melodies,” Mickey said.
“I love how our instruments sound together – the harp creates a warm bath of sound for the fiddle to soar.”
They will be joined by country/folk group Broken Creek who create compelling musical reimaginings of Australiana for banjo, guitar, fiddle and voice that tell stories from Australia’s past and present.
Broken Creek has just released its second album, Yeah Nah, which takes the listener on a musical roadtrip across old and new Australia, featuring songs about small-town Australia, tunes inspired by the land and subversive interpretations of traditional bush ballads.
“We both grew up in country towns steeped in bush bands and bush balladeers. We moved back to my country town to record this album and reimagine these traditional songs how they relate to us today,” frontwoman Erin Heycox said.
“From cautionary tales of dodgy pyramid schemes to daring convict women escapes we love to share stories about all the different sides of Australia.”
Locals will also have the chance to join in a pop-up choir workshop with Broken Creek on Monday, July 1, at the hall from 10-noon.
“Even if someone has told you that you can’t sing, they’re wrong,” Erin said.
“There’s something magical about combining voices in the safety of a group.”
In this fun singing workshop, locals will learn the parts to a Broken Creek song, an evocative folk song and a rip roaring sea shanty. Participants will learn vocal techniques that will help you feel in touch with your voice and build confidence in singing in parts.
There will be a pop up bar and cheese platters available at the hall for the concert.
Locals can pre-book their tickets online for a cheaper price. Otherwise, tickets will be sold on the door.
Children under 12 are free, so families are encouraged to attend.
IMAGE: Mickey and Michelle will perform and afternoon concert on Sunday, June 30, hosted by Nowa Nowa Community Development Group. (PS)
