Michael Waugh

the tradition of the troubadour storyteller, Michael Waugh is a unique, intelligent and emotionally charged performer – giving a profound and genuine new voice to the Australian experience.

Sometimes compared to the honesty and power of Australian folk and country legends such as Mick Thomas, Paul Kelly and John Williamson, Michael’s voice is emerging as one of the rarest and most original of talents in the Australian roots music scene – he is the real deal. His songs and stories are gut-wrenchingly honest, emotionally brave and compellingly beautiful. He sings about growing up in an East Gippsland dairy farming community, working and living in inner city Melbourne and of being a dad – moving audiences to laugh, cry and sing along to songs where they recognise their own lives in the music.

Michael is back at Selby to launch his new album ‘What We Might Be’ produced by Shane Nicholson. This collection of songs tell stories inspired by those American musicians and songwriters who were the soundtrack of Michael’s childhood. The texture of their rhyme and meter is the shacks and bars and snowdrifts of American life. These are replaced by magpies and lawnmowers and footy games – the beauty and poetry reflected in every day rural life. Maffra, Heyfield and Sale may not have the exotic twang of Nashville – but there’s the Macalister Hotel, Mafeking Hill, the Heyfield Timber Mills and more cows than you would ever want to have to get up at 5am to milk.

“There’s no mystery as to why ARIA Award winning musician / songwriter / producer Shane Nicholson wanted to work with Michael Waugh: both are sensitive, insightful songwriters and storytellers, and together they’ve created this outstanding debut release.” ~ Billy Pinnell, Stack

Introducing this month’s support act…

Hannah & Sadie

Hannah & Sadie is a duo made up of two young, talented singer-songwriters, Hannah Schmidli and Sadie, Girl on the Hill. The girls perform original songs and are known for their beautiful harmonies.

Both girls are currently in high school and have already released their first solo albums:

Hannah & Sadie have performed at various festivals around Victoria including Maldon Folk Festival, National Celtic Festival, Knox Festival, Selby Fest and at venues such as The Flying Saucer Club, Sooki Lounge and the Selby Folk Club.