Alanna & Alicia are twin sisters who blend folk, jazz and
roots in their original, acoustic songs. Known for their sweet
harmonies and fine songwriting, they have captivated audiences from the
National Folk Festival, Canberra to Fairbridge, Western Australia with their warmth, wit and sense of fun. As identical twins, they have a rich, intuitive vocal blend, creating the kind of magical harmonies that are unique to siblings.
Think The Waifs, The Andrews Sisters. Their lyrics, equal parts heart and humour, sparkle with an original, intimate voice that is rare in songwriters today.
They have had significant recognition for their songwriting, winning awards at several national festivals. Both have been finalists in the Australian Songwriting Awards and Alicia won Best New Talent at Port Fairy Folk Festival early in her music career. In concert Alanna and Alicia offer contrast, from poignant ballads to witty satire. They are wonderful storytellers and quickly establish a warm rapport with their audience, appealing to all ages.
Alanna and Alicia are currently recording their fifth album of original material, 'Heart Song Listen,' supported by a Creative Victoria Music Works grant and due to be released in 2023. It was recorded at Rolling Stock Recording Rooms, Collingwood with the amazing Myles Mumford. On the new album they sing about global and personal themes. There are songs about current world issues, such as experiences in lockdown, the effects of global warming and sea levels rising, as well as personal experiences including their grandmother's battle with dementia and the emotional experience of miscarriage, The repertoire provides contrastingly upbeat songs such as their vibrant travel song 'Everybody Dances in New Orleans' and the quirky, uptempo tune, 'The Teetotaller'.
Their stunning back catalogue includes 'Songs I'm Singing with Me' which was launched at the National Folk Festival in April, 2017, and three previous albums of original material, 'Twinlines' 2013, 'Two in a Book' 2010 and 'Funny She's So Much Like Me' 2006, all launched at Port Fairy Folk Festival.
'Songs I'm Singing with Me' is a tribute to acclaimed singer songwriter, John Beavis, whose beautiful songs were not as widely heard as deserved due to his ongoing battle with mental illness. Alanna and Alicia have created their own interpretations of John's songs, bringing them to a new generation as well as those who remember John's work.
Their band features the fine talents of Damien Neil (guitar), Silas Palmer (piano, violin), Sarah Busutill (violin, snare drum), Matiss Schubert (violin, mandolin) and at larger festivals, Liz Frencham (double bass).
Alanna and Alicia perform on the Australian festival circuit, folk clubs, leading music venues and house concerts.
They have played at the National Folk Festival, Canberra, Illawarra Folk Festival, NSW, the Blue Mountains Music Festival, NSW, Yackandandah Folk Festival, Victoria, Cygnet, Tasmania, Kangaroo Valley FF and Cobargo FF, NSW. In 2015 they toured the US, playing an official showcase and several private showcases at the Folk Alliance International Conference in Kansas City.
‘Alanna and Alicia's stunningly beautiful voices blended harmonically together like a studio overdub as they weaved their way through a wonderfully varied selection of great songs, many of them original, accompanied by four highly accomplished musicians. Unquestionably one of the best concerts we’ve had here in Humph Hall since we began over nine years ago!’
Wayne Richmond, Humph Hall, Allambie Heights, Sydney, January, 2019
Past Festivals:
Port Fairy Folk Festival 2013, 2010,
The National Folk Festival, Canberra 2017, 2015, 2011, 2010
Folk by the Sea, Kiama, NSW, 2018
Kangaroo Valley Folk Festival NSW, 2022, 2018, 2013, 2012
Fairbridge Festival WA, 2012
Cobargo Folk Festival NSW 2018, 2014, 2012
The Tablelands Folk Festival QLD, 2011
Maldon Folk Festival Vic 2014, 2011, 2008,
Brunswick Music Festival 2022, 2010
Woodford QLD, 2010
Music at the Creek, NSW 2011
Bendigo Blues & Roots Festival 2022, 2021, 2019, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012 & 2011,
Newstead Live Vic 2013, 2010
St Albans Folk Festival NSW 2013,
The Basin Music Festival Vic 2009 & 10,
Gorgeous Voices Festival Bendigo Vic 2010
Darebin Music Feast Vic 2009, 10, 11, 12, 13 ;
Nightjar Festival Torquay Vic 2013, 2014
Northern Beaches Music Festival, Sydney 2014
Starry Summer Nights Festival Ballarat 2012
Majors Creek Festival 2014
Folk Alliance International Conference, Kansas City, 2015
Blue Mountains Music Festival, 2015
Yackandandah Folk Festival, 2015
Dorrigo Folk and Bluegrass Festival, NSW 2015
Cygnet Folk Festival, Tasmania, 2016
Tamar Valley Folk Festival, Tasmania, 2016
Illawarra Folk Festival, NSW, 2017
Boolarra Folk Festival, Vic 2017
Turning Wave Festival, Yass, NSW 2017
Bendigo Autumn Music BAM, Vic 2019
Sandford Bush Music Festival, Vic 2019
Irish and Celtic Music Festival, Yass, NSW 2019, 2022
Folk clubs include Fairlight Folk, Sydney, The Merry Muse, Canberra, Hornsby Ku-ring-gai NSW, Illawarra NSW, Troubadour, Woy Woy, NSW, Albert Park Lounge, Selby FC, Burrinja Ranges, Vic, Newcastle/Hunter Valley, NSW, The Shack, Narrabeen NSW, Berwick & District Vic, Braidwood NSW and Bendigo Vic, and at many venues around Melbourne eg Northcote Social Club, Thornbury Theatre, Bar 303, the Lomond Hotel, Clifton Hill Hotel, Open Studio and the Wesley Anne.
They have shared the stage with many talented acts including opening for Eddi Reader (Scotland) in Melbourne 2010 and Madison Violet (Canada) in 2009, Kristina Olsen (USA), Eleanor McEvoy (Ireland), Kim Richey (USA), Ruthie Foster (USA), The Waifs, Jeff Lang, Clare Bowditch, Kavisha Mazzella, Mike McLellan, Kerrieanne Cox, Jordie Lane, Kate Miller-Heike, Christine Anu and Tinpan Orange.
Alanna and Alicia create many themed concerts to support social justice causes. Their annual 'Sing Out Sister' concert celebrates women in song and the wonderful contribution women make to the largely male dominated music industry.
In 2020 they hosted their tenth 'Sing Out Sister' show and line ups have featured many diverse artists including Kavisha Mazzella, Lucy Thorne, JoJo Smith, Sarah Carroll, Co-choel and Lucy Wise.
In Jan 2012 Alanna and Alicia were awarded an Arts Victoria Touring Grant and toured WA, SA, ACT and NSW from Feb to May 2012. They received an Arts Victoria Grant to make their second album, 'Two in a Book' in 2010.
In 2010 they were invited to be part of a Joni Mitchell tribute album,’Festival folk sing Joni Mitchell’ which features several wonderful singers including Chris While, Julie Matthews, Kristina Olsen and Kate Fagan. This album was launched at the National Folk Festival in April 2010 with another show at Woodford Folk Festival and the National in 2011.