Woodfordia Inc
presents
Festival of Small Halls Spring Tour 2022: Outback Queensland to Dorrigo Folk and Bluegrass Festival
featuring Catherine MacLellan (CAN) and Karl S. Williams (AUS)
Catherine MacLellan is one of folk music’s true gems.
Catherine’s latest album, COYOTE, is reflective and hopeful; a travelogue through heartbreak, loss and the joy of life. All songs were written, recorded and self-produced at her Prince Edward Island studio. Critical accolades for COYOTE continue, including: MOJO Magazine, Penguin Eggs (cover), featured airplay on BBC and on European, Canadian, Australian radio, with the album reaching #6 on the folk charts in the United States. The album received a 2020 Juno nomination for Contemporary Folk Album of the Year.
Catherine is respected by her peers for her talent and dedication to the craft of songwriting – a craft she had a front row seat to at an early age, watching her father, the legendary Gene MacLellan. Gene is recognized as one of Canada’s most celebrated songwriters with worldwide hits including, Snowbird made famous by Anne Murray, and Put Your Hand in the Hand by Ocean. Catherine released an album, in tribute to her father, as well as produced a stage show and an award-winning documentary that has shone a light on his life, success and struggles with mental health.
As with many songwriters, Catherine feels most at home on the stage, representing Canada at home and across the globe.
If you’ve ever been moved by the work of any of the exceptional female singer-songwriters from Joni Mitchell to Michelle Lewis, then take a listen to album closer ‘Too Many Hearts’ and be prepared to have your heart broken.
– Penny Black Music, UK
Coyote features 14 exceptionally revelatory and deftly authentic songs that demonstrate to all who listen just how adept at evoking a dynamic range of emotions and connecting on a profound level the PEI resident is as a composer of original music.
– Music Life Magazine
So many folks turn to therapy when a long relationship falls apart. They could save themselves a fortune and buy a copy of this album instead; there’s compassion, understanding and wisdom here.
– Folk Radio UK, Coyote Review
Karl S. Williams – A genre defying, multi-instrumentalist and award-winning artist, with a voice and conviction so powerful it takes your breath away. Karl’s music is timeless and deeply rooted in tradition yet ever conversant with the present. This is blues, roots, folk, and a unique Australian distillation of Americana, steeped in the swamp water and cane country of northern NSW (the landscape of his childhood). His songs distil life, love and the human condition; his music calls with urgency; his solution and vocation are to love more and sing without apology. A Karl S. Williams performance is frequently referred to as a visceral ‘spiritual experience’, leaving an audience slightly altered in the best way possible.
With a career spanning ten plus years, Karl has performed – both solo and with his band – at festivals and venues throughout the country including Bluesfest, the Woodford Folk Festival, Festival of Small Halls, Dark MOFO, Panama, Queenscliff Music Festival and the Tamworth Country Music Festival, among many others. In 2015, he toured to the USA, with a featured performance in New York City for CMJ Music Marathon and he shared the stage with artists such as Donavon Frankenreiter, Mia Dyson, Tex Perkins and Busby Marou.
Departing from previous industry relationships, Karl went back to the studio as an independent artist to begin recording Lifeblood in 2018. Released in February 2020, this second full-band album was accompanied by a national tour, cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic. As the long-awaited follow up to Karl’s debut, Heartwood (released 2013 / re-released by Warner Music, 2014), Lifeblood was the move towards longevity as an artist and a songwriter, but most importantly, it cleansed the slate and redefined Karl’s terms of engagement with the music industry. Lifeblood was awarded ‘Release of the Year’ at the 2021 GCMAs (Gold Coast Music Awards). He took out the 2021 QMA (Queensland Music Awards) for ‘Best Blues and Roots’ and was a finalist in both the ‘Best Country’ and ‘Best Singer-Songwriter’ categories featuring tracks from the album. ‘Lifeblood’ now sits alongside the critically acclaimed ‘Heartwood’, which was once described as being ‘so good it might even save your life’ (Noel Mengel, 2013).
Karl’s transition back to independent artist has allowed him to return to ‘home’, to re-engage with the folk, blues and Americana music communities and offer his unique and important voice to Australian independent music. Whilst 2022 saw a slow emergence back into the world of touring and performance, Karl continued to work on writing and recording his first solo anthology – a collection of new songs, lost songs and unreleased material. He looks forward sharing his song-writing and performance and connecting with audiences throughout the country.
He’s a wrecking ball, a loaded gun. He’s an unmerciful magistrate. He’s ‘a daisy-cutting, motherfucking judgement day’.
– Martin Farrer, The Guardian
I love discovering artists who have that special IT – the Zeitgeist – watch out for Karl!
– Peter Noble, Festival Director – Byron Bay Bluesfest
So good it may even save your life.
– Noel Mengel, The Courier Mail (review of 2013 release Heartwood)
Russell | Canaipa Island, 28 September 2022
Russell Island Recreation Hall, QLD, Quandamooka Country Russell Island Recreation Hall stands on the traditional lands of the Quandamooka People. The Russell Island Recreation Hall is likely the first building you’ll see when you jump off the ferry! The Russell Island Recreation Hall is just a hop, skip and a jump up the hill after … Read more
Irongate, 29 September 2022
Irongate Community Hall, QLD The original Irongate Hall burnt down in 2001 after many years of community service. The current Irongate Memorial School of Arts Hall was rebuilt and opened in 2003. The Hall is situated in Irongate, a thriving farming community 20km Northwest of Pittsworth and is named for the Iron Gate used to mark the southern … Read more
Talwood, 30 September 2022
Talwood Community Centre, QLD, Bigumbul Country The Talwood Community Centre stands on the traditional lands of the Gamilaraay people. The Talwood Community Centre has been the go-to venue for many a shindig since the 1980s. Run by locals, for locals, this is where you come when you’re done with the day’s fishing. This pastoral district, … Read more
Bellata, 1 October 2022
Bellata War Memorial Hall, NSW, Kamilaroi Country Bellata War Memorial Hall stands on the traditional lands of the Kamilaroi people People. The Hall was built in 1956. It was constructed as a War Memorial Hall by the local residents, whom were mostly returned soldiers. It is a community based hall and holds a number of … Read more
Marthaguy, 2 October 2022
Marthaguy Hall, NSW This show has unfortunately had to be cancelled due to flooding. If you have bought tickets you will receive an email shortly about a refund. If this doesn’t come through please email smallhalls@woodfordia.com. If the Marthaguy Hall could talk, it would speak of family history, pastoral pride, big seasons and slim ones. It … Read more
Bollon, 5 October 2022
Bollon Civic Centre, QLD, Kooma/Gwamu Country Bollon Civic Centre stands on the traditional lands of the Kooma/Gwamu People. It’s easy to spend the afternoon retracing Bollon’s history. Even the keenest history buff will be pleasantly surprised by the range of artefacts and stories that narrate the town’s rural history and Aboriginal culture. Be sure to … Read more
Begonia, 6 October
Begonia Sports Club, QLD Begonia Golf & Sports Club is the hub of the community. Established in 1977, the club hosts many highly anticipated events throughout the year and is excited to welcome Small Halls to the mix. What started as a tin shed, has now evolved into a regular venue for a broad range … Read more
Baralaba, 7 October 2022
Baralaba RSL Memorial Hall, QLD, Gaangalu Country Baralaba RSL Memorial Hall stands on the traditional lands of the Gaangalu People. The Hall was built in 1935. Originally called McLellan’s Hall, named after the owners John and Mary McLellan. Many changes have been made to the building, including the stairs previously being situated at the front, … Read more
Anakie, 8 October 2022
Anakie Community Hall, QLD The Anakie Community Hall – otherwise known as the Anakie School of Arts – has been home to many events over the years. The life and blood of the town, over the years it has seen weddings, yoga, sugar information evenings, church services, family gatherings, gem displays and school awards nights … Read more
Aramac, 9 October 2022
Aramac Town Hall, QLD, Iningai Country Aramac Town Hall stands on the traditional lands of the Iningai People. Barcaldine’s former shire hall (an attractive colonial timber building) was relocated by the council and re-constructed as Aramac’s first shire hall in 1913. Originally named Marathon, the township was renamed Aramac on 1 January 1875 after Robert … Read more
Pentland, 12 October 2022
Pentland Soldiers’ Memorial Hall, QLD, Gudjal People Country Pentland Soldiers’ Memorial Hall stands on the traditional lands of the Gudjal People. The hall was erected in 1926 to commemorate the soldiers who died in service or were killed in action during World War One. The hall takes pride of place as the community hub for … Read more
Ravenswood, 13 October 2022
Ravenswood School of Arts, QLD, Birrah Country Ravenswood School of Arts stands on the traditional lands of the Birrah People. The Ravenswood School of Arts building is a timber hall, originally built in 1884. In 1989 Cyclone Aivu damaged the facade of the hall requiring extensive renovations to the hall with it official re-opening in … Read more
Veteran, 15 October 2022
Veteran Hall, QLD, Gubbi Gubbi/Kabi Kabi Country Veteran Hall stands on the traditional lands of the Gubbi Gubbi/Kabi Kabi People. The Veteran Hall stands on top of a ridge overlooking the beautiful countryside of Veteran, only 10 minutes from the heart of Gympie. With a rich history of gold mining and farming, the Veteran District … Read more
Mapleton, 16 October 2022
Mapleton Hall, QLD, Jinibara Country Mapleton Hall stands on the traditional lands of the Jinibara People. The Mapleton Hall and Sportsground was established in 1910. The land was donated by a local pioneer, Mr.W. H. Rosser, and was established and has been maintained as a trust. This Hall was rebuilt in 1916 following a disastrous … Read more
Goombungee, 19 October 2022
Goombungee Public Hall , QLD Famous for its magnificent jacaranda and silky oak trees, Goombungee is ready to welcome you! Known for it’s cultural scene, trip out for the day and bask in the beauty before pulling up a seat at the Public Hall. Festival of Small Halls rolls into Goombungee on Wednesday, 19 October … Read more
Texas, 20 October 2022
Texas Memorial Hall, QLD, Biggambul Country Texas Memorial Hall stands on the traditional lands of the Biggambul People. The Texas Memorial Hall stands in an area where various Aboriginal groups share interests in the land, including the Bigambul and Gambuwal/Kambuwal people. The Texas Memorial Hall was built in 1958 and soon after opening, the stage collapsed during a meeting of local tobacco … Read more
MEDIA RESOURCES
Woodfordia Inc presents Festival of Small Halls Spring Tour 2022: Outback Queensland to Dorrigo Folk and Bluegrass Festival featuring Catherine MacLellan (CAN) and Karl S. Williams (AUS)
Festival of Small Halls has announced that Canadian folk gem Catherine MacLellan and genre-defying songwriter Karl S. Williams will feature on their upcoming Spring Tour 2022: Outback Queensland to Dorrigo Folk and Bluegrass Festival.
CATHERINE MACLELLAN (CAN)
Catherine MacLellan is one of folk music’s true gems. Catherine’s latest album, COYOTE, is reflective and hopeful; a travelogue through heartbreak, loss and the joy of life. Catherine is respected by her peers for her talent and dedication to the craft of songwriting – a craft she had a front row seat to at an early age, watching her father, the legendary Gene MacLellan.
As with many songwriters, Catherine feels most at home on the stage, representing Canada at home and across the globe.
To download a high quality image, please click here
KARL S. WILLIAMS (AUS)
Karl S. Williams – A genre defying, multi-instrumentalist and award-winning artist, with a voice and conviction so powerful it takes your breath away. Karl’s music is timeless and deeply rooted in tradition yet ever conversant with the present. This is blues, roots, folk, and a unique Australian distillation of Americana, steeped in the swamp water and cane country of northern NSW (the landscape of his childhood). His songs distil life, love and the human condition; his music calls with urgency; his solution and vocation are to love more and sing without apology. A Karl S. Williams performance is frequently referred to as a visceral ‘spiritual experience’, leaving an audience slightly altered in the best way possible.
To download a high quality image, please click here
Festival of Small Halls events take place in venues operating under current government Covid Safe regulations, and has stringent Workplace Health and Safety requirements for all travelling artists and crew. Under the terms and conditions of all events, you must not attend if you have any symptoms of Covid-19.
Please do your bit to protect others and keep your community safe.
The Festival of Small Halls Winter Tour is supported by the Restart Investment to Sustain and Expand (RISE) Fund – an Australian Government initiative
