Our Songs Your Songs: Emily-Rose, Jono Smith and Laura Altman

Three unique musicians share their stories and songs in the intimate settings of Church St Studios. This evening will be curated for each musician to share their songs and collaborate with one another as the evening unfolds. 

Emily-Rose Sharkova is one of Australia’s most vivacious musical chameleons. Compared to the likes of Norah Jones and Joni Mitchell, her songs and soundscapes are a kaleidoscope dream of contemporary folk, where songwriting meets world jazz. The listener is bathed in intricate, relevant lyrics of weight and beauty, underpinned by profound but constantly fresh acoustic and electric worlds. Known as front woman of Emily-Rose & The Wild Things, half of songwriting duo Little Clouds, global prog fusion outfit Shark & Fox and a member of chamber folk group The Good Behaviours, her solo sets weave her voice together with piano, synths and accordion.

Most recently a finalist for the prestigious Art Music Awards for Best Jazz Work, and an ARIA nominated musician, Emily-Rose’s music is always thoughtful and highly crafted. To celebrate the release of her album 'Upon These Open Skins' on double vinyl and to farewell her before she tours Canada in August, Emily-Rose is embarking on a solo tour of intimate concerts.

Jono B Smith is a songwriter from sunny-ole Newcastle. He writes with a mishmash of different styles and his songs range from intense and heartfelt to easy-going and
comedic. Influenced by the guitar-woven songwriting of John Martyn, Joni Mitchell, Jerry Reed and George Harrison, his meandering, scenic pieces will lead you on a soulful
journey or, at worst, be the perfect soundtrack to a deserved daytime nap. Known as a rip-roaring fiddler on the bluegrass and folk scene, this evening will peel back and show Jono's more personal side of music making.

Laura Altman is based on Gadigal Country, Sydney, where she weaves her way through the improvised, exploratory and folk music scenes with her intuitive clarinet playing, free improvising, and compositions. Laura writes songs with voice and guitar that have recently begun to find their way into the world. These "gentle, thoughtfully crafted songs" have been described as "like listening to a little music box of feelings." She is a long-standing member of many, varied, ensembles, including improvising collective Splinter Orchestra, internationally acclaimed trio Great Waitress, and folk-chamber ensemble Chaika.