BIO
AUSTRALIAN SINGER-SONGWRITER
LUTHIER, POET & GLEANER
"warmth flecked with grit...beauty awaits"
rolling stone
Hailing from Gunditjmara country in the deep south of Australia, Nigel Wearne is a singer-songwriter, luthier, poet and gleaner. Equipped with personally handcrafted instruments, he melds finger-style guitar, 'up'-hammer banjo, piano and honest storytelling rooted in the Australian landscape. Gleaning diverse influence from Tom Waits, Joe Henry and Gillian Welch, he tells stories of forgotten rebels, wandering poets and true tales of Australian history.
Nigel has toured Australia, New Zealand and Canada and he's performed at a long list of music festivals, including the Port Fairy Folk Festival, Cygnet Folk Festival and Queenscliff Music Festival.
His sophomore album, Black Crow garnered wide critical acclaim including a 4 star review in Rolling Stone and a nomination for Best Country Album at the Music Victoria Awards. Nigel’s current album Drawing Circles is a solo record that’s raw, compelling and reflective. A storyteller at heart, he paints lyrical pictures with “the narrative-fuelled prose of Paul Kelly” – Beat Magazine. “One of Australia’s emerging songwriters” – Tone Deaf. “A fine exponent of roots Americana” – Rhythms Magazine.
Check out Nigel's luthier work HERE.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
2022 – Folk Alliance International OFFICIAL Showcase Artist*Virtual
2021 – Folk Unlocked Showcase Artist*Virtual
2020 – Folk Alliance International Showcase Artist
2020 – Canadian Winter Tour
2019 – Folk Music Ontario Showcase Artist
2019 – Canadian Fall Tour
2019 – Folk Alliance International OFFICIAL Showcase Artist
2019 – Canadian Winter Tour
2017 – Triple j Unearthed Winner – Port Fairy Folk Festival Competition
2017 – New Zealand Tour
2016 – 'Drawing Circles' Double Album Release
2013 – Music Victoria Awards – Best Country Album Nominee for 'Black Crow'
FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS
2022 – Cobargo Folk Festival, Adelaide Guitar Festival
2021 – Port Fairy Folk Festival March Concert Series
2020 – Cygnet Folk Festival, Blue Skies Music Festival (CANADA)*Virtual
2019 – Troubadour Festival (CANADA), Maldon Folk Festival, Dorrigo Folk & Bluegrass Festival, Tamworth Country Music Festival
2018 – Port Fairy Folk Festival, Cygnet Folk Festival, Wintermoon Festival, The River Folk Festival
2017 – Illawarra Folk Festival, Birregurra Festival, Blackwood Festival, Surrey Hills Music Festival
2016 – Adelaide Fringe Festival, Bendigo Blues & Roots Music Festival, Nightjar Festival, Wallaby Creek Festival, Tablelands Folk Festival
2015 – Blackwood Festival, Kangaroo Valley Folk Festival, Happy Wanderer Festival, Mount Beauty Music Festival, Yackandandah Folk Festival
2014 – Cygnet Folk Festival, Majors Creek Festival, Fleurieu Folk Festival, Newstead Live! Music Festival, Boolarra Folk Festival, Blackwood Festival
2013 – Wallaby Creek Festival, Wirrina Bluegrass Festival, Kingston Harvest Festival, Kyneton Music Festival, Avoca Music Festival, Fiddlehead Festival
2012 – Port Fairy Folk Festival, Dorrigo Folk & Bluegrass Festival, Black Mountain Unplugged, JamGrass Music Festival, Folk, Rhythm & Life
