BIO
AUSTRALIAN SINGER-SONGWRITER
LUTHIER, POET & GLEANER
triple j unearthed IN 2017
rolling stone
Nigel Wearne is an Australian singer-songwriter, luthier, poet and gleaner. Equipped with personally handcrafted instruments, he melds finger-style guitar, 'up'-hammer banjo, piano and honest storytelling. Gleaning diverse influence from Kelly Joe Phelps, Townes Van Zandt and Sun Kil Moon, he tells stories of forgotten rebels, wandering poets and his love of eggs.
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. In 2019, he was an Official Showcase Artist at Folk Alliance International in Montreal.
From stories of social justice and observation, to emotional reflection and historical tales, Nigel draws inspiration from everyday people from all walks of life. Some songs are autobiographical and personal, but many are other people’s stories and an amalgamation of truth, observation, personal experience and fiction. For Nigel, music is a candid, human and important messenger for stories and moments in time.
His 2012 album, Black Crow garnered wide critical acclaim including a 4 star review in Rolling Stone and a nomination for Best Country Album at The Age 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. “Warmth flecked with grit… beauty awaits” 4 Stars – Rolling Stone.
Listen to Drawing Circles HERE. Check out Nigel's luthier work HERE.
UPCOMING FESTIVALS
2019 Queenscliff Music Festival (VIC) *Above The Bit
2020 Cygnet Folk Festival (TAS)
2020 Folk Alliance International (USA)
2020 Cobargo Folk Festival (NSW)
FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS
Majors Creek Festival (NSW) - 2019 *Above The Bit, 2014 *Solo
Maldon Folk Festival (VIC) - 2019
Dorrigo Folk & Bluegrass Festival (NSW) - 2019, 2012
Troubadour Festival (CANADA) - 2019
Folk Alliance International (CANADA) - 2019 Official Showcase Artist
Tamworth Country Music Festival (NSW) - 2019
Newstead Live! Music Festival (VIC) - 2019 *Above The Bit, 2014 *Solo
Bendigo Blues & Roots Music Festival (VIC) - 2018
2 Worlds Festival (VIC) - 2018 *Above The Bit
Wintermoon Festival (QLD) - 2018
Port Fairy Folk Festival (VIC) - 2018, 2012
The River Folk Festival (VIC) - 2018
Cygnet Folk Festival (TAS) - 2018, 2014
Surrey Hills Music Festival (VIC) - 2017
Blackwood Festival (VIC) - 2017, 2015, 2014
Birregurra Festival (VIC) - 2017
Illawarra Folk Festival (NSW) - 2017
Tablelands Folk Festival (QLD) - 2016, 2011
Wallaby Creek Festival (QLD) - 2016, 2013
Adelaide Fringe Festival (SA) - 2016
NightJar Festival (VIC) - 2016, 2015
FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS
Happy Wanderer Festival (VIC) - 2015
Kangaroo Valley Folk Festival (NSW) - 2015
Newport Folk Festival (VIC) - 2015
Mount Beauty Music Festival (VIC) - 2015, 2010
Yackandandah Folk Festival (VIC) - 2015
Fleurieu Folk Festival (SA) - 2014
Darebin Music Feast (VIC) - 2014, 2013
Boolarra Folk Festival (VIC) - 2014
Wirrina Bluegrass Festival (SA) - 2013
Kingston Harvest Festival (VIC) - 2013
Avoca Music Festival (VIC) - 2013
Kyneton Music Festival (VIC) - 2013
Fiddlehead Festival (VIC) - 2013
Folk, Rhythm & Life (VIC) - 2012
Harrietville Bluegrass & Traditional Country Music Convention (VIC) - 2012
JamGrass Music Festival (VIC) - 2012
Black Mountain Unplugged (QLD) - 2012
Gulgong Folk Festival (NSW) - 2012
High Noon Festival (VIC) - 2011
Queenscliff Music Festival (VIC) - 2008, 2007, 2006
