Start Time: 7:30pm
Cost: FREE
Venue: The Bain Marie - Hub Bar
Venue Address: 189 High street, Northcote 3070
Three nationally celebrated, local singer-songwriters sharing a family connection will be performing a concert of original songs and instrumentals at The Darebin Music Feast. The voices of Louisa, Lucy and Rowena Wise blend in the magical way that sisters’, daughters’ and mothers’ voices do. Between them they play violins, ukulele, guitar and Appalachian Dulcimer, and were heard at folk venues and festivals across Australia, Ireland and the USA between 1998 and 2008 as part of The Wise Family Band. In recent years, Louisa, Lucy and Rowena have made their own musical pursuits, basing themselves in Melbourne’s rich music scene. Having each toured and recorded with many of their own projects, Louisa, Lucy and Rowena have banded together as a trio with an entirely original sound reflecting their diverse musical interests and rich folk roots.
For the last three decades, Louisa Wise has been recognised as a stand-alone singer, songwriter and fiddler in the Australian folk music scene. Among her awards are twice winning the Declan Affley Song Award at the National Folk Festival, the Australian Song and Lyricists Associations song contest, and the WAMI song contest in WA. On fiddle she has won Ladies Champion in two Arizona fiddle contests (Payson Old Time Fiddle Contest and Black Canyon City Fiddle Contest) and in Perth she has won the Fleadh Cheol fiddle contest. Her songs are about social justice, nature and people and span from lighthearted dance tunes/songs, to songs of deeper issues and feelings. Her signature singing with the fiddle is done in a unique style termed by many listeners as modern-ancient. “There’s something magical about the way her voice combines with her earthy fiddle sound,” said prominent UK folk songstress, Nancy Kerr (The Strad, October 2013). Louisa and has become known for her relaxed, down-home performance style that reflects her roots in hometown Illinois and Arizona. Her second solo album comprising new and retrospective material produced by Luke Plumb is due for release in October 2014.
Lucy and Rowena, with their elder sister Ruth, were taught music from a young age by Louisa and their father Scott, who is a renowned musician and Luthier. Their family played a repertoire that encompassed many genres including blues, celtic, old- timey and their own original song and tunes. Growing up in a house filled with music and instruments, Lucy and Rowena Wise began writing songs in their teens, and thereafter it just made sense to pursue music as a career.
23-year-old Lucy Wise has delighted audiences across Australia, New Zealand and the UK with her unique blend of folk, chamber and pop music combined with masterful storytelling. Her debut album with her 5 piece band, Lucy Wise & The B’Gollies received rave reviews on Radio National and in Sound on Sound magazine, UK in 2011. Her second album, When We Wander Far From Home(2013) is a collection of songs inspired by her travels as a musician and hopes for the world. Drawing inspiration from her folk roots, Lucy’s songs sketch universally recognisable stories that are grounded in the realities of everyday experience. “A wonderfully natural singer and uncommonly gifted writer. Prediction: within this decade Lucy will be a noted songster, worldwide.” – Doug Spencer, ABC Radio National.
Rowena Wise is the youngest of the Wise family. After moving to Melbourne in 2012 she co-founded the popular folk quintet Stray Hens. Her more recent work as a soloist made her runner-up at this year’s Folk Alliance Youth Awards at the National Folk Festival in Canberra. Her voice breaks and bellows in all the right places, creating a believability that defies her 20 years. In the vein of artists such as Feist, Laura Marling and Darren Hanlon, her writing is equal parts raw emotion and delicious wordplay, featuring strong pop-infused melodies front and centre. Her songs explore themes of staying true to oneself through the ups and downs of life as finger-picked ukulele and guitar create a sparse canvas. Rowena will spend this year touring festivals and recording her debut EP, due for release at the end of the year.
The concert will feature new work from these three artists, as well as some special guests, including Staffan Guinane (formerly of Francolin) and accordionist Geoff Le Blanc (of eclectic folk/roots band The Harmaniax and trad Cajun band, The Le Blanc Brothers). Such a beautiful array of songs, voices and instrumental textures make this a night not to be missed.
Alcohol served to 18+
Wheelchair Accessible
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