Goldfields Winter's End Folk & Roots
An Exchange of Exquisitely Australian Songs of Heart & Country
Friday 22 August
Doors Open 7pm | Show from 7.30pm
The Coolroom at the Northern Arts Hotel presents

Mandy Connell • Joyce Prescher • Liz Fencham • Phil Smith

Hosted by Mandy Connell, creator of An Otherwise Quiet Room, The Coolroom presents an evening of reflective and lyrically rich songs. Joining Connell for an exchange of exquisitely Australian songs of heart and country are Mandy Connell, Joyce Prescher, Liz Fencham and Phil Smith

Held in the glorious, comfortable listening room of The Coolroom at the Northern Arts Hotel, this is a powerful exchange between consummate and renowned folk song writers, facilitated by Connell's skill and passion for collaboration and eliciting stories from those on stage with her.

MANDY CONNELL is bare souled & luminous on stage. With acclaim Throughout the Folk Scene Mandy is admired for her songwriting & delivery. Taking the Declan Affley Award (National Folk Festival) in 2005 and the Maldon Minstrel Award (Maldon Festival) in 2006, Mandy placed at the Port Fairy’s ‘Songs of Peace & Tolerance’. She has toured the UK, formed Trad 5 piece ‘Stray Hens’, & continues to write original music.

'Mandy Connell is the latest in a long and distinguished line of talented female musicians to grace the musical scene in Australia. A fine singer and songwriter in her own right, she also has the knack of taking other peoples' songs, and by virtue of her original and unique interpretations making them her own, the mark of a truly gifted performer.'..- Eric Bogle

https://www.mandyconnell.net/

JOYCE PRESCHER is a Melbourne-based singer-songwriter originally from the Netherlands. Slowly but steadily, Joyce has been making a name for herself in the Americana and folk scene.
Joyce Prescher released her debut album Home in 2017, which was met with critical acclaim, landing a spot in PBS's top ten albums upon release.

In March 2022 she released her first single Sleep Now of her sophomore album Out Of My Mind. The track came in on number five in the AMRAP Metro chart and stayed in the top ten for multiple weeks.

In July 2022 Joyce Prescher was signed to independent record label Cheersquad Records & Tapes. She released two more singles under the label, Paper and Pen and Black on White, prior to releasing her 13-track album Out Of My Mind in October 2022. Upon release the album charted in both the ARIA Top 20 Australian Country Albums and the Australian Independent Record Labels Association 100% Independent Albums chart. Joyce Prescher was a finalist in the 2022 and 2023 Australian Folk Music Awards (AFMA).

'Joyce’s music takes you back to days long gone with its gentle nods to 70s artists like Joni Mitchell and Leonard Cohen while also positioning her as a contemporary of artists such as Jessica Pratt, Tiny Ruins and Joan Shelley' - Post to Wire

“There's a real intimacy to her music that warms over you and in effect inspires repeat listens ” - Rearview Mirror

https://joyceprescher.com/about

LIZ FRENCHAM is an acclaimed acoustic singer/songwriter and double bassist from Central Victoria, Australia, known for her raw, intimate performances blending folk, swing, and Americana. Influenced by Joni Mitchell, Neil Finn, and Madison Cunningham, her music offers a hopeful perspective from a neurodivergent lens, with themes of resilience and self-acceptance. A seasoned festival performer and collaborator with international artists, Liz’s work has been praised for its authenticity and emotional clarity. Most recent releases include Love and Other Crimes (2020) and the You & Me series.

https://www.lizfrencham.au/

PHIL SMITH is a bit of a travelling man who currently calls Castlemaine home after spending the last 6 years in Hobart. With his last 3 albums receiving 4+ star reviews nationally and overseas and wrapping up album #6 at the moment Phil draws inspiration from the likes of Dylan, Van Morrison, Springsteen, Neil Young and Ryan Adams, delivering articulate wordy songs which range from folk ballads to country rockers to protest songs dealing with current global events.

https://philsmithmusic.bandcamp.com/

Ticket: $25 + booking fee