Artists
Husky Gawenda sang long before he spoke.
He studied classical piano and then taught himself guitar. His sister taught him how to sing. After studying English literature (which gave him a lifelong love of books and poetry) and Astrophysics (for his lifelong fascination with space) he forged a career in song, in which he has won the country's biggest awards (including the Vanda and Young International Songwriting Award).
He has recorded four critically acclaimed albums and toured the world with his band ‘HUSKY’ alongside his cousin and kindred spirit collaborator Gideon Preiss. He has recorded a Yiddish folk album with Gideon and his sister Evie Gawenda. He has played festivals worldwide, played iconic venues including Central Park and toured with international artists including Neil Young.
During the lockdowns, alone in his small apartment, he began to write new songs and record them on his tape machine. They came in a rush. They were different from the songs he had written with the band. They were stripped back, more intimate, more personal, more emotionally raw. Her recorded two albums, one he released last year called ‘Bedroom Ice Age’ and one due for release in September 2022 called ‘The Rocket Ship is Haunted’.
Sometimes his songs soar and swirl in rambling tales that sweep you up and carry you away. Other times his songs unfold quietly, unexpectedly, revealing a dark, felt world, and almost whispered, they compel you to lean in and listen more closely.
Husky is also a founding member of the Farborgene Khalyastre - the Hidden Group - a new collective of artists creating new fusions of Yiddish poetry, music and art.
Singer Songwriter and Multi instrumentalist Dan Kelly has released six records over the last ten years with his band Dan Kelly and the Alpha Males and as a solo artist.
He has seven ARIA nominations, has been nominated for a J Award and AMP Award and won The Age Award for Best Male Artist .
Dan has recorded and toured extensively over the last 25 years as a guitar player and singer with the likes of Paul Kelly, Neil Finn, Bic Runga, Kasey Chambers, Augie March and Spencer P Jones.
Hannah Cameron is a Melbourne based singer, songwriter and guitarist. A master in the art of subtlety and nuance, Cameron’s music has floored listeners the world over since first breaking onto the scene with her debut LP Blow My House Down in 2015. Three years on from its release Cameron released her acclaimed sophomore album I Lay Where You Lie and she has since begun work on her third album with producer Matt Redlich.
In early 2020 she released her most recent single Backsliding which received a groundswell of support from the Australian music scene. Off the back of Backsliding’s success, Cameron was nominated as a finalist in the 2020 Upstart Award for Songwriting and placed third in Happy Mag’s 2021 Needle In The Hay song competition.
Highly active in Melbourne’s music scene, Cameron has established herself as a sought after vocalist and guitarist. She is a member of Melbourne band On Diamond and performs in a sessional capacity with artists such as Missy Higgins, The Paper Kites, Mimi Gilbert, Ruby Gill, and Clio Renner.
Listening to Stephen Grady is like being carried back to the Golden Age of folk music. Born in Papua New Guinea to missionary parents, the Queensland raised singer-songwriter formed the ‘The Ahern Brothers’ with Josh Rennie-Hynes in 2016. Their rich throwback sound led the duo to tour nationally and receive the main tour support for Aussie supergroup ‘Tex, Don, & Charlie’.
Since Josh’s departure to USA, Grady began writing for a new solo project and in 2020 released an EP ‘Streets of Gold’ and album ‘Wonder’.
“Grady strikes a perfect balance of sparse folk and balladeer-blues, with Nick Drake and Jose Gonzales undertones, 'Wonder' is a world class composition.” ABC Music
Grady will release ‘In June’, his most personal album yet, on June 24th.
Melbourne sister duo Charm of Finches (aka Mabel and Ivy Windred-Wornes) makes haunted tunes about love, grief and whispering trees; indie folk awash with seamless blood harmonies traversing melancholy and wonder in equal measure.
Their recent accolades include the 2021 Music Victoria Best Folk Act, 2021 Australian Folk Music Awards Youth Act of the Year and nominations for the 2020 & 2021 Australian Music Prize.
The duo released their third full length album WONDERFUL OBLIVION in October 2021 through New York-based label AntiFragile Music to critical acclaim and have very recently returned from a four-month tour of the UK and Europe.
“Wonderful Oblivion is a moving work, dressing up the shared experiences of the everyday with music that tugs at the heart and stirs the imagination.” - The Australian
"For lovers of harmony and overall musicianship they are an absolute must see.” - Chris Farlie, w21Music UK
Singer-songwriter Dan Challis melds lyrically-driven acoustic folk music, with a story-telling focus. His songs centre on the lived-experience, and befit his troubadour ethos; living out the very life he tells stories about through his music.
Dan has captivated audiences both here and in North America, where he spent the last 4 years up until 2020. It was there he penned the songs for his most recent body of work, ‘No Lonely Road’ (2020); his sophomore album. His music has been described as:
"Rich, authentic acoustic folk... (that) should make you feel something raw and timeless.” - Ear To The Ground Music Blog
"Country singer Dan Challis is a man with a tender voice and story to match." - Happy Mag TV
"He has made himself admirably vulnerable for the sake of his craft, and his work deserves attention." - Andrew Brown, Barely North Entertainment (album review)
The Fremantle-born singer songwriter credits his development as an artist and lyricist to influences such as Paul Kelly, Lior and The Waifs; as well American & Canadian folk musicians, born out of the 60s folk music revival; such as James Taylor, Don McLean and Neil Young.
Dan follows the classic model of 'stomping the pavement' when it comes to getting his music out there; being known for his willingness to tour, especially in regional areas, and bring his love for his craft direct to the people; no matter what the venue, pub, club or local RSL.