What's On in Creswick

A powerful double bill uniting two compelling voices from the worlds of folk, roots and blues. UK singer-songwriter Robbie Cavanagh brings contemporary folk - American defined by emotional depth, timeless songwriting and masterful musicianship to his debut Australian tour, widely recognised as one of the most exciting voices emerging from the UK folk scene. Sharing the stage is Karen Lee Andrews - one of Australia’s most commanding live performers - whose roots, blues and gospel-informed work is known for its intensity, honesty and vocal power, honed on stages from WOMADelaide to Bluesfest and touring with Cold Chisel and Icehouse. Together, they deliver an evening of world-class songwriting, musicianship and connection.

Michelle Nicolle and Paul Grabowsky have been aware of each other for a very longtime. As Michelle says, she‘grew up’watching Paul on television and was aware of his work with the great Vince Jones and others somewhat later Paul became aware of Michelle’strajectory toward becoming, in his words, ‘one of the greatest jazz singers Australia has produced’. A few years back they began a conversation around songs they were drawn to, and it was immediately clear that their tastes converged at the melancholy, the testimonial, the heartbreak ballads that speak of love’s sometimes bitter ironies. The Covid lockdowns certainly helped them to focus on this project, one that led to the recording of their ABC Jazz album‘Noir’, a collection of standards and originals that reveal sentiment rather than sentimentality, great beauty in deepest shadow, empathy and calm. As Paul puts it, ‘we have found a happy place in these sad songs, in which each shadow reveals new light’.