About The Orphanage Sessions
Original Australian country/roots music in one of Sydney’s intimate and personal venues.
Next gig: The Harmonators supported by The Orphans
8.30pm Saturday August 23
$10 at the door
Mars Hill Café
331 Church Street
Parramatta
The Mars Hill Café
Mars Hill Café is a local music and art venue as well as a cool place to hang out.
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Who's playing
The Orphanage Sessions showcases the best country/roots musicians Sydney has to offer as well highlighting emerging artists who are making an impact on the country/roots scene.
The Harmonators
Saturday August 23, 2008
8.30pm, $10 at the door
These girls have recently released their debut album recorded by Matt Fell and Michael Carpenter of Love Hz studios and are making waves across the country. If you haven't heard of these guys then listen to recent albums by Sara Storer, Karl Broadie and Sam Hawksley.
These girls are up there with the best of Australian country music and we're looking forward to having Liz and Rae as our guests this month.
www.myspace.com/theharmonators
Katie Brianna
Saturday September 27, 2008
8.30pm, $10 at the door
Inspired by the likes of Iris Dement, Ron Sexsmith and Sam Phillips, Katie Brianna has been destined for singer/songwriter stardom since being given a guitar at the age of 12. Apparently Paul Kelly hand picked her to perform on the ARIA award wining soundtrack for the movie Jindabyne... I'm jealous.
But not too Jealous to invite her to play with us at September's Orphanage Session.
Past Artists
Lianna Rose
Saturday July 26, 2008
8.30pm, $10 at the door
Rose has opened shows for Australian greats such as Shannon Noll, Mondo Rock, Daryl Braithwaite, Sarah Mcleod, Taxiride, Renee Geyer and James Blundell whilst also performing as back up singer for the likes of Stevie Wright (Easybeats), Russell Morris and Max Merritt.
Described as bluesy, rootsy, earthy country rock, Lianna Rose will be playing songs for her upcoming debut album.
Read Craig's review of Lianna Rose's gig.
www.myspace.com/liannerosemusic
Karl Broadie
Saturday June 28, 2008
8.30pm, $10 at the door
Marie Clare magazine said his new album "One Million Emeralds" was good. The greatest moment in his life was supporting Patty Griffin on her first ever tour of Australia in 2007. He's a scotsman who grew up listening to his dad's Bob Dylan records and writes songs that stop you in your tracks and cut deep into your soul.
On top of all that Karl Broadie is one of the nicest guys we've ever met and we can't wait for him to join us on stage at The Orphanage Sessions.
The Yearlings
Saturday May 31, 2008
8.30pm, $15 at the door
Describing themselves as "alt-folk", this Adelaide-based duo have just returned from New York where they've recorded their third album. They're in town for their Sydney Album Launch and of all the gin joints, in all the towns, in all the world they could have chosen, they chose ours.
The Yearlings are who The Orphans want to be when they grow up.
Read Craig's review of The Yearlings' gig.
Dave Walls
Saturday May 24, 2008
8.30pm, $10 at the door
Never heard of Dave Walls? You will.
Think Ryan Adams inspired alt-country songwriting with an Australian soul. When he played a cover of The Monkees Daydream Believer I nearly cried because it was so good.
Sometimes his wife plays triangle with him.
www.myspace.com/davewallsmusic
Jessica Belle
Saturday April 26, 2008
8.30pm, $10 at the door
2006 Telstra Road To Tamworth finalist, winner of the inaugural Michael Cowdroy Memorial Award for songwriting, Toyota Star Maker Finalist in 2005 finalist in the Pacific Songwriting Competition in both 2005 and 2006 coming third on both occasions with the highest placed country song from Australia... and on top of all that she's bloody good.
With her new album produced by Bill Chambers, we've coaxed Jessica Belle down from the Central Coast to play for us.
www.myspace.com/jessicabellesongwriter
Read Craig's interview with Jessica.
Read Craig's review of Jessica's gig.
Sam Hawksley
Saturday March 22, 2008
8.30pm, $10 at the door
Having opened for Keith Urban on his 2005 Australian Tour as well supporting artists such as Bic Runga, The Spencer Davis Group, Jimmy Barnes, Adam Brand, Catherine Britt, Richard Clapton, The Whitlams and Damien Leith, Sam Hawksley got around to recording his own album. The single Come Back Baby went to number 1 on the CMC video chart.
Sam cites influences such as Jackson Browne, Tom Petty, Shawn Colvin, Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, Bob Dylan, James Taylor, Sheryl Crow... well the list goes on. Sam is one of the finest guitarists around and writes a mean song too.
Read Craig's interview with Sam.
Read Craig's review of Sam's gig.
Caitlin Harnett
Saturday February 23, 2008
8.30pm, $10 at the door
With influences including Ryan Adams and Patty Griffin as well as being a Telstra Road To Tamworth finalist for 2008 and coming in the Top 10 of the ballads section of the Australian Songwriters Association Songwriting contest in 2007, Caitlin Harnett sounds like our kind of girl. The Orphans are proud to have Caitlin kick off the first ever gig of The Orphanage Sessions.
Did I mention she likes Patty Griffin...
www.myspace.com/caitlinharnettmusic
Read Craig's interview with Caitlin.
Read Craig's review of Caitlin's gig.