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With their warmth, talent and loving stage presence, Australian duo Cloudstreet makes their audience feel that they are the privileged viewers of something very special. Featuring John Thompson and Nicole Murray, Cloudstreet began performing at Australian festivals in 2000 and has rapidly gained a following around the country as one of the most exciting acts on the Australian folk scene.
Cloudstreet’s style is traditional, and includes many original songs and tunes, in a lively and entertaining acoustic act which appeals to a wide range of people and ages. Their ancient ballads and traditional songs are made spellbinding by their daring and sublime vocal harmonies, which create the impression of a ‘third voice’. The songs they perform are like chapters from fairytales; some dark and foreboding, some strange and funny and all performed with consummate skill, grace and passion.
Their material is drawn mainly from the Irish, English and Australian traditions, sung acapella or with guitars, flutes, whistles and percussion. Fascinated by ballads, Nicole and John captivate audiences with their interpretations of storysongs of kings, goats, witches, cross-dressing serving men and true love, reviving the soap operas of a former age! Keeping an ancient storytelling tradition alive, they remind us that love, betrayal, deceit, loss and laughter are universal aspects of the human story.
Their work includes new interpretations of traditional songs and tunes, original music and silly banter, and despite the tragic story-lines of many of the songs, their act is uplifting, joyous and very funny. Since 2001, they have played festivals around Australia including the National Folk Festival (A.C.T), Majors Creek Folk Festival (NSW), Port Fairy Folk Festival (Vic), Woodford Folk Festival, and Palm Creek Rainforest Festival (Qld), as well as folk clubs and concerts. A highlight was their successful two-night season at the Brisbane Powerhouse, supporting international folk act The Wrigley Sisters.
In 2003, they returned to the Powerhouse to support Sharon Shannon, and once again played at the National Folk Festival in Canberra. In May, they began their first extended tour of the United Kingdom and Ireland. Cloudstreet recently released their second CD, Violet Sarah and Muckle John, the follow-up to their acclaimed debut CD "Swallow the Concertina" |
