Sunset Sessions @ Mount French Lodge

SUNSET SESSIONS at MOUNT FRENCH LODGE 
featuring Laura Frank, Hayley Marsten & Pat Tierney

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Perched 600 metres above sea level, lies the pristine hideaway, Mount French Lodge. Recognised as one of Queensland’s most exclusive lodges, guests are treated to unrivaled and expansive views of the Main Range and the Fassifern Valley. 

On the 28th October 2023 join us for the first ever, SUNSET SESSIONS experience.  A once in a lifetime moment on the mountain where great music, world class food and a magical sunset collide.

In a Scenic Rim first, the SUNSET SESSIONS is a concert series presented by local legends, Orange Schmorange, Laura Frank and Mount French Lodge.  Featuring over 2 hours of live music and a lineup including, LAURA FRANK, HAYLEY MARSTEN and PAT TIERNEY, you will also be treated to a 2 course ‘picnic’ created by Executive Chef, Richard Ousby and the opportunity to experience the luxury of Mount French Lodge as you watch the sun go down over the ‘Main Range’ section of Australia’s iconic, Great Dividing Range.  

Your experience includes;

✨  3 hours of live music and a stellar lineup featuring Laura Frank, Hayley Marsten & Pat Tierney
✨  Exclusive access to Mount French Lodge
✨  2 Course Meal heroing local producers and created by Executive Chef and Scenic Rim Food Ambassador, Richard Ousby
✨  Welcome drink on arrival
✨  Access to the Kalbar Progress Association Bar who’ll be serving drinks all night long (cash & card accepted)
✨  Access to the official ‘Pre event’ function at The Bowl, located in Boonah (20mins from venue)
✨  The opportunity to add on a bus transfer from The Bowl, to and from Mount French Lodge
✨  The opportunity to STAY at MOUNT FRENCH LODGE - see ticket options to upgrade and include your stay (tix strictly limited) 
✨  Upgrade to the VIP experience (tix strictly limited)
✨  A Scenic Rim first and a once in a lifetime sunset experience OR simply, a moment on the mountain (as we like to call it)

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

⚡️ LAURA FRANK
⚡️ @laurafrankmusic

Off the back of 2 sold out Scenic Rim based events, a string of single releases and being dubbed 'Most Promising Future Star' at Tamworth Country Music Festival's, 'People's Choice Awards', Laura Frank is proud to be the brains behind 'The Sunset Sessions'. Come see her slay it out in a never seen before show featuring a 6 piece band, a Laura Frank first and a not to be missed experience.

She’s a firecracker on stage with a rare gift for storytelling. Laura Frank’s irresistibly fierce voice possesses a vulnerability that lets you know she’s truly lived the words she sings. Since her return to the country Frank has written and recorded a swag of charting singles, all of which have made it into the top 10 in the Australian Country Music Charts. Frank has supported James Blundell on multiple occasions as well as Brad Cox, Lime Cordiale, Chocolate Starfish and Sarah McLeod. She also appeared as a special guest for Daryl Braithwaite in March 2023. At the 2023 Tamworth Country Music Festival she took home the award for Most Promising Future Star at the Australian Country Music People’s Choice Awards.
Frank is set to release a string of new music in 2023 and her latest offering ‘Leavin’ has been a hit with Australian Radio Stations and been touted ‘her best work yet’ by adoring fans. The introspective track was recorded by ARIA and Golden Guitar winning producer, Jordan Power, at Bernard Fanning’s studio in Northern NSW.

⚡️ HAYLEY MARSTEN
⚡️ @hayleymarsten

If HAIM & Shania Twain got together to make music, their sonic sister would be Hayley Marsten. Her sophomore release, Girlhood, glittered into the world in June this year. As described by Apple Music her darkly dramatic country anthems bear rousing traces of 1970s rock', Girlhood is a triumph.
Her sharp pen and open heart led to the creation of her stellar debut, 'Spectacular Heartbreak' in 2019. The album was crowdfunded, nominated for Alt-Country Album of the Year at the Golden Guitars, Country Work of the Year at the Queensland Music Awards in 2020 and was streamed over half a million times.
3 years on from her debut, Hayley has signed with Cheatin Hearts Records, graced the stage of CMC Rocks, toured nationally with headline shows and supported industry stalwarts like Fanny Lumsden. As described by Marsten 'Girlhood is an album for my younger self', but it most closely represents where she's at right now, both as an artist and a person: sometimes sassy, always heartfelt. And something tells us Baby Hayley would wholeheartedly approve of Girlhood, which is, unquestionably, her adult counterpart's most honest and accomplished set of songs to date.

⚡️ PAT TIERNEY
⚡️ @pattierneymusic

Lap slide guitarist and roots troubadour Pat Tierney brings an eclectic and captivating musical experience to everything he touches. Taking influence from the likes of Bob Dylan, Ben Harper and JJ Cale, Pat's music dances between folk, blues, roots, and soul. A true songwriter and poet, Pat brings an old-school approach with modern tales of love, loss, hope, and social justice. 
After releasing his debut album in 2015, Pat has toured relentlessly across the country and abroad with the likes of The Beautiful Girls, Ash Grunwald and good friends Bobby Alu, as well as recently supporting Canadian blues and folk maestro, Harry Manx. Garnering songwriting accolades along the way with a Queensland Music Award finalist nod in 2015 and more recently in 2023, as well as the 'Folk Award' in the 2017 NCIEA Dolphin Awards. Pat has also performed at iconic festivals across the country such as Queenscliff Music Festival, Caloundra Music Festival, Nannup and Blues on Broadbeach as well as his debut album 'Wild World Blues' featuring on the QANTAS in-flight music catalogue. 
Pat's sophomore 2019 album 'Red Moon', also received rave reviews with features on ABC radio, Double J and community radio across the country, as well as ticking over 1.5 million streams across the digital streaming platforms since its release. The album also featured songs in QLD Road & Safety advertisements, and the track 'Angels' featured in the recent motorbike and surf documentary, 'Death Rides A Horse.' (Dues Ex Machina) 
Pat is currently working on album number three with renowned roots maestro and ARIA award-winning Pauli B (George, The Beautiful Girls Bobby Alu) due for release in early 2024. Brand new single 'When The Light Comes Shining' is OUT NOW. 

✨  ABOUT THE VENUE  ✨

MOUNT FRENCH LODGE
Nestled in the picturesque countryside of Mount French, our luxurious Mount French Lodge offers a unique and unparalleled experience of nature's beauty, tranquility, and exclusivity. Our lodge features eight beautifully appointed apartments that can accommodate up to 16 guests.
Mount French Lodge is an exquisite and exclusive venue and The Sunset Sessions is proud to host their very first event at this venue.  The lodge is located in the Scenic Rim, recently named in the Loney Planets Top 10 Regions in the WORLD as a place to visit. 

✨  ABOUT THE FOOD  ✨

The Scenic Rim is known for it’s plethora of incredible producers and the products they produce.  We’d be silly not to highlight them in the premium food offerings.  Your menu will include some of the following;  

- Coal Roasted Chicken, Chermoula  & watercress
- Shaved Berkshire leg Ham
- Farmhouse slaw, lemon vinaigrette 
- Local cheese & accompaniments
- Scenic rim pickles & relish with Sourdough Bread
- White Chocolate Mousse, Carrot caramel, Toasted Almond

UPGRADE to the full VIP experience and your food will be upgraded too! (Tix strictly limited!)

-  All of the above PLUS a 3rd course of Slow braised beef & mushroom ragout, mustard, Fusilli pasta.  Served to you in the comfort of your VIP Pavillion space.

**Dietary requirements will be catered for

A note from your chef RICHARD OUSBY

Hi, I'm Richard - it's lovely to meet you!
My cooking journey began before I even knew that high-profile chefs existed, alongside my mother and grandmother in our kitchen in Bathurst. 
My professional journey began in Brisbane when I apprenticed in a family-owned Italian restaurant, training that I continued and completed in a small hotel.
I then accepted an opportunity to move to England, to work for Michael Roux at the Waterside Inn. There, I learned about classical French cuisine and the rigorous demands of working in a high-performance kitchen.
Returning to Australia, I worked as sous chef under Chef Peter Gilmore at Quay, Sydney, for three years.
In late 2012, I joined Stokehouse Q in Brisbane and was promoted to Head Chef in 2013. In 2015 I became Executive Chef for Stokehouse restaurants, overseeing both Melbourne & Brisbane's venues.
In 2019, I bid farewell to Stokehouse and took the leap into self-employment, along with a healthy dose of quality time with my wife Kristy & two young sons, Tate & Jude.


✨  OTHER NOTES ABOUT THE EVENT  ✨

• 28th October 2023 at Mount French Lodge (Lutter Road, Charlwood)

• GATES open at 4.30pm for a 5.30pm start

• LIMITED PRE SALE TIX available now!  Prices will increase on 30th September 2023

• All ticket prices INCLUDE a 2 course ‘picnic’ style box that you will collect and be able to carry to your prime position on the lawn

• This event is NOT BYO, unless it’s your chair, cushion, blanket, bean bag or sitting item of choice.  Please rely on us to serve you food and drinks all night long

• BYO chair, cushion, blanket, picnic rug, bean bag.  This event will take place ‘on the lawn’ and we know some people have particular tastes in sitting apparatus, so we invite you to bring your own

• Dietary requirements will be catered for, please ensure you include your preference in the ticketing options

• Food will be served in time allocated blocks to ensure you do less lining up and more enjoying the music and sunset.  Please ensure you allocate your pick up time when booking your ticket
  

• This is an accessible event, please contact us so we can discuss your accessibility requirements

• All proceeds from the Kalbar Progress Association Bar will go directly to the Kalbar Progress Association who are committed to (you guessed it) the progress of Kalbar
  
  
• This is event is not only a once in a lifetime experience BUT also a fundraiser for local superstar, Laura Frank.  A portion from the ticket sales will go to Laura Frank to raise funds for her anticipated album recording and release

• Parking is available on site but we encourage you to car pool or use the optional add on bus transfer, Lutter Rd is single lane and dirt road
  
  
• Cash and card will be available on the evening
  
  
• All ticket buyers will receive an email with further details including weather, parking and event details 1 week prior to the event

EXTRA INFORMATION 

Are you coming from out of town?  There are plenty of incredible accommodation options and LOTS to explore in the Scenic Rim. Why not make a weekend of it.  After your ticket purchase we will happily provide a list of local accommodation options. 
And whilst we're being opportunistic, why not ask them about a transfer to and from the event?  😉

We can't wait to share this moment with you in the Scenic Rim.

We are proud of our diverse communities within the region. We acknowledge the traditional owners of the many lands within the Scenic Rim - the Mununjali in the Centre, the Wangerriburra to the East, the Ugarapul to the West, and all those of the Yugambeh and Jagera language groups. We pay respect to their Elders, past, present and emerging.