Woodfordia Inc
in partnership with Cygnet Folk Festival and Illawarra Folk Festival
presents
Summer Tour 2020: Cygnet to Illawarra
One of Scotland’s foremost singers, Siobhan Miller is an exceptional talent, renowned for her unique vocal style paired with her evocative song-writing. Miller creates music with detail and rich melodies that combine the sounds of indie and alternative music with sounds from her roots in folk music.
Growing up in a musical family, she was immersed in traditional song and learned from many of Scotland’s finest source singers in her early years as a performer. Miller won the 2018 BBC Radio 2 Folk Award for Best Traditional Track, whilst also nominated for Folk Singer of the Year, and is the only ever three-time winner of Scots Singer of the Year at the BBC Alba Scots Trad Music Awards.
Her three solo albums have received widespread critical acclaim. The most recent, Mercury (2018) is Miller’s first album of entirely original material, and was recorded in Glasgow with many of her frequent collaborators, including producer Euan Burton. It also features songs co-written with Lau’s Kris Drever and Admiral Fallow frontman Louis Abbott. Flight of Time (2015) and Strata (2017), were both nominated for Album of the Year at the Scots Trad Awards, highlighting her extensive range through traditional, contemporary and self-penned material, as well as her “delicate, nourishing vocals and lyrically rich compositions” (The List).
Alongside her extensive solo ventures, Miller’s unique vocal style has been honed through collaborations with many of Scotland’s top musicians, as well as guest appearances with the National Theatre of Scotland, a season on Broadway, and a role on US/UK TV drama Outlander.
One of the best Scottish traditional singers on the planet.
– fRoots
Assured and precise… Siobhan Miller’s vocals are bright and unforced.
– The Guardian
One of the finest young voices on the Scottish folk scene.
– The Scotsman
A writing talent that’s as impressive as her velvet voice.
– The Herald
One of the most exciting new traditional singers in Scotland.
– Donald Shaw, Celtic Connections Artistic Director
Critically acclaimed Australian songwriter Jack Carty writes with an honesty, patience and love of the craft learned through the sheltered valleys and close-knit communities of a rural childhood spent in sleepy Bellingen, NSW. It’s a rare thing that has allowed the poetic traveller to take his quiet truths and breathtaking live show to audiences across The UK, Europe, North America, New Zealand and Australia since he first started recording and releasing original music in 2010.
The nine years since have been fruitful. Carty has released five full-length studio albums and two EP’s amongst the constant touring, songs on soundtracks, collaborations, festivals and co-writes. Along the way he’s shared the stage with the likes of: Katie Noonan, Josh Pyke, Bernard Fanning, Matt Corby, Lisa Mitchell, Ingrid Michaelson, Dan Wilson, Brett Dennen, Justin Townes Earle and Joshua Radin; and was a recipient of the bi-annual APRA Professional Development Awardsin 2015.
Jack’s most recent album ‘Hospital Hill’ (2018) sees him in close collaboration with ex Papa Vs PrettyBassist Gus Gardiner. It places Carty and his acoustic guitar in a stripped-back setting, accompanied only by a string quartet (which included players from The Australian Chamber Orchestra) and Gardiner’s lush arrangements. 2016’s self-released ‘Home State’ was recorded almost entirely in the living-room of Jack’s one-time Red Hill apartment and debuted at #36 on the ARIA Albums Chart and #1 on the AIR %100 Independent Album Chart.
It is clear that – although Carty’s trademark honesty and hopefulness will never desert him – the lovelorn boy of 2011’s ‘One Thousand Origami Birds’, 2012’s ‘Break Your Own Heart’, and 2014’s ‘Esk’ has evolved into a man of quiet confidence with a renewed excitement for stories and songwriting. His successes have been hard won. Earned on the back of tireless touring, dedication, and the kind of critical acclaim that only honesty in art affords.
Jack has recently returned from two years touring, writing and collaborating from a home-base in London. He is currently working on new music.
The recently married Carty might well have found his happy place ★★★★
– The Sunday Star Times
A sensational album ★★★★
– The Weekend Australian
An album of confession and honesty, but also humour and the sublime ★★★★
– Sydney Morning Herald
Southport, 4 January 2020
The Southport Community Centre Hall and Deck 8606 Huon Highway, Southport 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 … Read more
Derby, 5 January 2020
In its hey day Derby was the site one of the richest tin mines in the world with a population of around 3,000. The Derby Town Hall was built in 1923 at the height of the mountain town’s prosperity. Sadly, just six years later the Briseis Dam (named after the 1876 Melbourne Cup winner) flooded … Read more
Rowella, 6 January 2020
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, 7 January 2020
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, 8 January 2020
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 … Read more
Mole Creek, 9 January 2020
Mole Creek is a village nestled at the base of the Great Western Tiers mountain range in Northern Tasmania. It lies on the beautiful, rural corridor of Meander Valley that links Launceston with Cradle Mountain country. The town was so-named because its creek disappears underground into the local limestone karst system ‘like a mole’ and … Read more
Cygnet Folk Festival, 10 – 12 January 2020
From the 10th – 12th of January 2020 the small town of Cygnet will again play host to the annual Cygnet Folk Festival. This year will be the 38th Cygnet Folk Festival, one of Australia’s most iconic folk music festivals. Very highly regarded by musicians and festival-goers from all over Australia and overseas, competition to come … Read more
Stanley, 14 January 2020
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 … Read more
Somerset, 15 January 2020
A gorgeous hand built solid stone three story building with established gardens and rustic barn . The original owner builder crafted this beautiful and enduring building over 25 years ago. Apart from being a popular café it’s become a mecca for live local and visiting musicians. The extensive enclosed and sheltered garden lends itself to … Read more
Sulphur Creek, 16 January 2020
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
Shellharbour, 22 January 2020
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 … Read more
Illawarra Folk Festival, 17 – 20 January 2020
ABOUT THE ILLAWARRA FOLK FESTIVAL The Illawarra Folk Festival originated at Jamberoo in 1985, and has grown to be one of the largest festivals in Australia run entirely by volunteers. Now nestled in the northern Illawarra escarpment at Bulli, the festival presents approximately 150 performers over 4 days. Performers, volunteers and audiences alike continue to … Read more
Goulburn, 23 January 2020
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 … Read more
Woodstock, 24 January 2020
The Central West N.S.W. village of Woodstock has a population of 200 with a further 500 people living in the rich farming district surrounds. Our Woodstock Soldiers Memorial Hall was built in 1924 and is the venue for our Festival. We aim to showcase our Hall & village as well as the farming community’s produce, with* … Read more
Orange, 25 January 2020
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
Currabubula, 27 January 2020
Currabubula War Memorial Hall who is 108 years young in 2020 is the centre of this beautiful rural village, 30kms south of Tamworth in NSW. The hall has been host to many a good old fashioned bush dance and ball over the years and current residents are working together to ensure it remains the beating … Read more
Lochnivar, 29 January, 2020
Lochinvar School of Arts was built in 1892 and was once considered the heart of the community. During WW1 it was used as a place to farewell local soldiers as they were heading off to war, and also a place to celebrate the homecoming of each and every soldier fortunate enough to return. In June … Read more
Clarence Town, 30 January 2020
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 area was … Read more
Frederickton, 31 January 2020
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
Coramba, 1 February 2020
Coramba is a picturesque historic village north-west of Coffs Harbour. The North Coast railway meanders through Coramba village, as does the Orara River. The Coramba Community Hall was built in 1914, and has been holding functions for over 100 years. It was recently refurbished both inside and out and has full disability access and amenities. Come celebrate with us … Read more
Nymboida, 2 February 2020
Travelling along the Grafton – Armidale road in Northern NSW, a passer-by could be forgiven for thinking Nymboida is a quiet sleepy backwater… But amid the peaceful beauty (a little blacker than usual), there is a vibrant, thriving community. Nymboidians are a proud, strong, fiercely independent (and good looking) people who have proved themselves to … Read more
MEDIA RESOURCES
Festival of Small Halls Announces Summer Tour 2020
Festival of Small Halls has announced that one of Scotland’s foremost singers, Siobhan Miller (SCO) together with critically-acclaimed Australian songwriter Jack Carty (AUS) will feature on the upcoming Summer Tour 2019: Cygnet to Illawarra.
Presented in partnership with major Australian festivals Woodford Folk Festival, Cygnet Folk Festival and Illawarra Folk Festival, the Summer Tour 2020 will depart from the Woodford Folk Festival on 1st January 2020 and circle Tasmania from 4th January to 16 January 2020. Performances at Illawarra Folk Festival kick off two weeks of ambitious touring through coastal, central and northern New South Wales from 17th January – 4th February.
For full release, click to download
ARTIST BIOGRAPHIES
Siobhan Miller (SCO)
One of Scotland’s foremost singers, Siobhan Miller is an exceptional talent, renowned for her unique vocal style paired with her evocative song-writing. The only artist ever thrice-crowned as Scots Singer of the Year at the annual Scots Trad Music Awards, Miller creates music with detail and rich melodies that combine the sounds of indie and alternative music with sounds from her roots in folk music.
For full biography, social media links and press quotes, click here
Jack Carty (AUS)
Critically-acclaimed Australian songwriter Jack Carty has been making, touring and releasing original music since 2010. Nine years that have seen the release of five full-length studio albums; two EPs; an APRA Professional Development Award; extensive touring across Australia, The UK, North America, Europe and New Zealand; festivals from Brisbane to Barcelona; co-writes with the likes of Josh Pyke, Dan Wilson (Semisonic, Adele, Taylor Swift) and Katie Noonan; a #1 independent album; a Top 40 album; and a loyal, grassroots following, built on great songs and a powerful live show.
For full biography, social media links and press quotes, click here
MEDIA KIT
Click here to download the Media Kit
The Festival of Small Halls Summer Tour is supported by the NSW Government through Create NSW and by the Australian Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body.
