Woodfordia Inc in partnership with
Woodford Folk Festival, Cygnet Folk Festival and Illawarra Folk Festival
presents
The music of Fru Skagerrak takes you on a journey through Scandinavia; from lowlands to mountains, from slow airs to lively polkas, in major and in minor, and everything in between. Fru Skagerrak- ”Lady Skagerrak” – are three master musicians – one from each Scandinavian country: Maja Kjær Jacobsen from Denmark, Elise Wessel Hildrum from Norway and Anna Lindblad from Sweden.
In 2011, these three globetrotting musicians met for the first time at Tønder Festival, Denmark’s biggest Folk Festival, in a roaring session that had engulfed the backstage bar. Through the mayhem of tunes you could feel a certain Scandinavian groove, and in that moment the connection between these three fiddlers was clear. After meeting at Tønder Festival for three consecutive years, Fru Skagerrak finally saw the light of day in August 2014.
The trio brings together the diverse traditions from each of their homelands, which surround the Skagerrak strait. Through a repertoire of traditional tunes, new compositions, and songs in their respective languages, they express their kinship and love of their shared heritage. The result is an explosion of the sounds that exist in Scandinavian music today.
The self-titled debut album was released in May 2016 and their second album “Ankerdram” was released in April 2018.
http://fruskagerrak.com
https://www.facebook.com/fruskagerrak
https://www.instagram.com/fruskagerrak/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDhcBKvZqorgtPMcoWJSYFA
“If you manage to sit still while listening [to this album], I will be impressed. Instead, you should shake, not only your behind, but all the people you meet on your way while you listen”
– Folkemusikk.no (Norway)
“Music that reaches your heart”
– GAFFA (Denmark) ★★★★
“Their name is like a bridge, and their music comes from the heart of their countries. They draw from the richness of their folk traditions, and build on it with their own pieces.” – Folk Magazin (Germany)
“Invigorating beyond measure, this is the kind of record that immediately establishes itself in your mind. And when it ends, you are happy to play it once again. That – ladies and gentlemen – is a rare thing.” – GAFFA (Denmark) ★★★★
The repertoire is beautiful in its simplicity, at times rhythmical without being frenetic, or sad with a charming, more intimate sweetness. With its airy sound, the album immerses us in a Nordic atmosphere, both ancient and at the same time hard to define in the present. A very beautiful album. – Le Devoir (Québec, Canada)
Steeped in blues and country music, Liam Gerner left the Adelaide Hills to try his luck in London. The young guitar slinger quickly made a strong impression and earned a crust opening for Paul Weller, Jason Isbell, Drive by Truckers, Paolo Nutini and many more. Liam then headed to the US, joined Texan country rocker Ryan Bingham’s band and experienced frontline American roots music. Returning to Australia in 2014, Liam released his debut album ‘Land Of No Roads’, a startling collection of original songs he composed while touring with Bingham and cut with some of LA’s finest players and his follow up ‘Liam Gerner and the Sunset Pushers’ (2017).
Since then Liam has been touring relentlessly throughout Australia, New Zealand and the USA. Now based in Melbourne, Liam has developed his songwriting, collaborated with local musicians and formed The Sunset Pushers, a band as fluid and soulful as his songs. Liam tours extensively in Australia/New Zealand and is an in-demand guitarist working touring and recording with The Eurogliders, Pnau, Pnau & Elton John, records with Empire Of The Sun, and Vika and Linda Bull.
The result of all this touring, listening, collaborating and writing is a new album, Liam Gerner and The Sunset Pushers. Recorded in both Melbourne and Malibu, this album finds Liam sweating raw roots rock’n’roll.
“While touring a few years ago in the US in Ryan Bingham’s band I got to meet some heroes in the US,” says Liam. “I got to play songs with Jackson Browne in LA, trade licks with Dale Watson in Austin and jam with locals in South Central LA juke joints. I even got to play Johnny Cash’s J200 at Marty Stuart’s house and discuss songwriting with Tom T Hall in Nashville. All these experiences helped prepare me for working in the Australian music community. And embracing my US and Australian influences and musical friends has helped shape my new music.”
Liam Gerner and The Sunset Pushers was released in June 2017.
Liam Gerner and his collaborator Nashville based Luke Moller recorded ‘The Bulletin Debate’ a collection of poems Liam turned to song. The poems were written in 1892 between Henry Lawson and Banjo Patterson, printed weekly in the Bulletin newspaper and reflect their differing opinions about our relationship with the Australian bush. This album will be released in 2018.
http://liamgerner.com/
https://www.facebook.com/LiamGerner/
https://twitter.com/liamgerner
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLEiF9V2UwX0eaerJDi5Gdg
“Liam is an extraordinary musician. Both as a songwriter and performer Liam is a force to be reckoned with.”
– Ryan Bingham
Presented By
Stanley, 4 Jan 2019
Stanley Town Hall opened in 1911. The architect was Alexander North (1858-1945) who emigrated from England to Tasmania in 1883. He was known as an outstanding church architect, and a pioneer of concrete construction in Tasmania. Stanley Town Hall’s builder was W. McDonald of Launceston. The building is a freestyle federation two-storey structure, and the … Read more
Wynyard, 5 Jan 2019
The Wynyard Theatre has seen many forms of entertainment performed from its stage over the past 91 years including some by the resident ghost. Today the Theatre is a popular venue for live bands and the local Lighthouse Film Society. Population: 5061 Festival of Small Halls rolls into Wynyard on Saturday, 5 January 2019 Doors … Read more
Sulphur Creek, 6 Jan 2019
Sulphur Creek on Tasmania’s beautiful North West Coast is a small community of approximately 500 people. Positioned to look out across the waters of Bass Strait, The Sulphur Creek Hall takes centre-place in the community positioned between the sea and rich farming land. The Memorial Hall was built to commemorate those who died in service … Read more
Rowella, 7 Jan 2019
The Rowella Community Hall was built as the Presbyterian Church of the Beaconsfield gold field. When the Beaconsfield mine closed in 1917, the church was moved on a bullock dray to its current site on the border of Kayena and Rowella amid the blooming apple and pear orchards. New residents arrived from India, New Zealand, … Read more
Nunamara, January 8 2019
The Nunamara Hall is located on the Tasman Highway, 20 kms east from the centre of Launceston. The small settlement of Nunamara provides the gateway to the picturesque St Patricks River Valley, which is nestled between Mt Barrow and Mt Arthur. A historic weir and water race on the St Patricks River provides most of … Read more
Longford, 9 Jan 2019
Situated at the historic Heritage Corner on Wellington Street, sits the Longford Town Hall. Within its doors, the Longford Town Hall welcomes you with polished timber floors, traditional high ceilings and a heritage inspired ambiance. The grand stature of the Longford Town Hall provides a multi–use venue for the community and is used by a … Read more
Meander, 10 January 2019
Meander’s community hall sits in a small town nestled under the mountain bluffs of the Great Western Tiers. The Hall is surrounded by farms and a small cluster of houses where everyone knows their neighbours’ names. The community comes together for many events at the Hall as it is known as the heart of the … Read more
Triabunna, 15 Jan 2019
“Triabunna” is an Aboriginal Tasmanian word for the Tasmanian native hen. Once home to the Southern Hemisphere’s largest apple orchard, this port town was founded in 1830 as a station of the 63rd regiment, and later the 51st regiment also called Triabunna home for a time. The mild weather and scenic views make for a … Read more
Forcett, 16 January 2019
The beautiful Forcett Community Hall was built in 1915. Standing at the heart of this green southeastern community, it is currently used to hold concerts by various local performers, such as Christmas Concerts and Country Music afternoons. Festival of Small Halls rolls into Forcett on Wednesday 16 January 2019 Tickets available online here
Southport, 17 January 2019
The Southport Community Centre, set in its small coastal town, is the hub for community events and gatherings in the far south. SCC’s outdoor performance stage is so splendid it has its own name, Bruce’s Deck. Named after the late historian Bruce Poulson, who combed the region for its fascinating stories, our deck has excellent … Read more
Shellharbour, 23 January 2019
Centenary Hall was constructed in 1959 at a cost of 40,000 pounds by Shellharbour Municipal Council, as the focus of centenary celebrations for local government in the area (1859 – 1959). A street procession ending at Centenary Hall was at the heart of the formal centenary celebrations and headed by prominent citizens Paddy O’Gorman and … Read more
Goulburn, 24 Jan 2019
The renovated St Saviour’s Hall was opened by the Australian Composer – Peter Sculthorpe which lends to it’s incredibly strong musical links in its current form. So how perfect that The Festival of Small Halls returns to this location. The original stone portion of this hall was the pro-cathedral (parish church prior to the cathedral) … Read more
Nangus, 26 January 2019
Nangus is a village on the Wagga Wagga to Gundagai Road on the north side of the Murrumbidgee River. There are just over 200 people living in this fierce little town, with this gorgeous hall at the centre. Festival of Small Halls rolls into Nangus on Saturday, 26 January 2019. Full bar available as well … Read more
Orange, 27 Jan 2019
Orange, known as Australia’s Colour City is just a few hours drive from Sydney and within easy reach of the Blue Mountains. When you visit the Orange Region you will discover a welcoming city, rich in history with a flourishing cultural scene. Take a walk around the historic town centre, the wide streets and stunning … Read more
Clarence Town, 30 January 2019
Clarence Town is thought to be seventh oldest settlement in Australia, the town situated on the banks of the Williams River. The first white man to explore the region was Lieutenant Colonel Paterson on 25th July 1801. One of the first settlements along the Williams River was named “Erringhi” but by 1826 the … Read more
Frederickton, 31 Jan 2019
Frederickton School of Arts is located in the heritage town of Frederickton in the Kempsey Shire. The foundation stone was laid in November 1903 by Sir Harry Rawson, Governor of NSW. The Hall enjoys a commanding position on the banks of the Macleay River and local regard the hall as an important part of the … Read more
Toormina, 1 Feb 2019
Toormina is to the south of Coffs Harbour, just to the west of the stunning beaches of Sawtell. Named after Taormina, Italy, Toormina is part of the wider Coffs Harbour region and formed when the owner, having visited and fallen in love with Taormina, subdivided his land. Toormina offers visitors a central location to the … Read more
Eureka, 2 February 2019
Eureka has a rich history of farming traditions, hard work and a caring and supportive community. Built in 1906, the Eureka Hall all has witnessed many community celebrations and commemorations. Young men were farewelled from the hall to fight battles in distant lands, and welcomed on their safe return. A journey down memory lane reveals … Read more
Bowenville, 3 Feb 2019
Located between Dalby and Jondaryan 40 minutes west of Toowoomba, off the Warrego highway, Bowenville Memorial Hall is in the centre of town. Owned by the local community since 1925, the hall hosts a number of events all throughout the year. They have dances every month, and annual Hall Ball and other community groups such … Read more
The Festival of Small Halls Summer Tour 2019 is supported by the NSW Government through Create NSW.