On Diamond + Merinda Dias-Jayasinha

Experimental pop band On Diamond play this special show following the release of Downslide, the second single from their forthcoming album, alongside creative vocalist Merinda Dias-Jayasinha, who steps into unique territory with her brand new trio.

7:30pm ~ Doors
8:00 - 8.45pm ~ Merinda Dias-Jayasinha (with Adam Halliwell & Helen Svoboda)
9:15 - 10pm ~ On Diamond

VENUE: Thornbury Bowls Club - 27 Ballantyne St, Thornbury VIC 3071. This is a seated event (with ample standing space also).

We acknowledge that this event takes place on Wurundjeri Land and pay our respects to elders past, present, and emerging. Sovereignty was never ceded.

On Diamond features Lisa Salvo (vocals), Scott McConnachie (guitar/synth), Duré Dara (percussion), Joe Talia (guesting on drums), Jules Pascoe (bass), and Genevieve Fry (harp).

Merinda Dias-Jayasinha (vocals/keys) plays with Adam Halliwell (guitar, flutes) and Helen Svoboda (double bass).

LINKS
Merinda Dias-Jayasinha: https://merindadias.bandcamp.com/
On Diamond: https://youtu.be/PBWR1Yxxdm8?si=6IgEwbpOK6ZGttmr

ON DIAMOND

Melbourne/Naarm-based On Diamond take an anomalous look at alternative pop. Their sound relies on an interactive group dynamic and is inspired by folk, noise, rock, jazz, and improvised music, with lyrics that are personal and poetic.

On Diamond’s output has seen the band attract critical acclaim - their 2019 self-titled debut album (Eastmint Records) was celebrated as one of the year’s finest, garnering nominations for The Australian Music Prize and Music Victoria Awards’ Best Album, as well as receiving Album Of The Week on Triple R, 4ZZZ, and PBS, and being included in PBS’ Top Ten Albums of 2019.

In 2024 On Diamond hosted a monthly residency at Cross Street Music Hall, showcasing their singular approach to music and remarkable ability to deliver an affecting live show.

Their long-awaited second studio album, recorded between 2022-2023, is due for release on 9th October 2025 via Eastmint Records, with singles Letting the Wheel Go By and Downslide already revealed. Downslide is accompanied by a striking film clip directed by multi-disciplinary artist Tina Stefanou, fresh from her ACCA solo exhibition.

Since forming in 2016, On Diamond has embraced an evolving line-up of well-loved musicians. The current ensemble features Lisa Salvo (vocals), Scott McConnachie (guitar and synth), Myka Wallace (drums), Jules Pascoe (bass), Duré Dara (percussion), and Genevieve Fry (harp). Previous members include Maria Moles (drums), Hannah Cameron (guitar, vocals), Joe Talia (drums), and Stewart Taylor (bass).

MERINDA DIAS-JAYASINHA

Merinda Dias-Jayasinha is a unique genre-crossing Australian vocalist, recognised for preternatural intonation, creative versatility and sweetness and variety of tone, whether in a haze of vocal layers or a single heartfelt lyric.

Multi-talented and perennially pluralistic as a performer, composer and improviser, her music slips fluidly between genres and beyond into other disciplines. While on home turf as a singer of songs, her debut album as a leader-composer, Sense, was released in 2022 to national critical acclaim.

In demand as a collaborator, Merinda’s voice is just as at home on a Sampology track as in a tower of reclaimed pianos in a remote Australian forest. Merinda performs regularly in leading jazz venues and festivals across Australia, and has released music with a myriad of unique collaborative ensembles: a quartet of voices and strings Meridians (MADE NOW MUSIC, 2018); trombone-saxophone-voice trio Strong Cotton Socks (ABC Jazz, 2020); and layered improvisation trio FIM (2024). Her voice adorns acclaimed recordings ranging from contemporary classical (Singing Stone, ABC Classics) to the tendrils that reach from jazz into avant-choral (Invenio Singers); indie (The Rest Is Silence); ambient minimalism (Claire Cross’s Sleep Cycle) and dance (Don Glori; Sampology).