Four unique songwriters and musicians from different corners of the country, sharing one special Canberra evening of contemporary original folk, alt-country and blues.

One-time Cambassador, Dan Musil plays slide guitar like no one else. With a penchant for improvisation, a love of trad Celtic & Appalachian tunes, and a bag of original compositions, let Dan take you on a journey to where jigs meet stomping blues and social satire, where eucalyptus-infused meditations meet driving groove & flowing phrase. Now based in the Latrobe Valley, Dan always loves coming back to Smiths.

Travelling songsmith Anna Smyrk comes back to Smiths all the way from Honiara, Solomon Islands. Her live show takes you on a journey around the world, with songs inspired by many years of living and working in Asia and the Pacific Islands. She presents original folk and alt-country music, alongside traditional folk tunes from the diverse places she has lived (in several different languages). Anna’s latest EP was described as “exquisite” by ABC Radio National, while Rhythms Magazine called it “a slow-burning gem... a heady mixture of lilting folk and dark Americana-style country, combining effortlessly.”

Canberra based musician Grim Tilla’s musical passions are deep rooted and wide ranging. He started playing guitar in his early teens, immersing himself in the endless possibilities that opened up with the heady world of jazz. Over the last 20 years his influences have expanded to encompass a range of genres, perhaps none more so than Saharan desert blues. He has worked as a touring musician, bandleader and producer, but more recently has found himself exploring the stripped back sound of the singer songwriter tradition.

Jhana Allan is a progressive country folk singer and multi instrumentalist who explores themes of darkness and light, loss and self-acceptance. Her original tunes range from slow moody ballads to up-beat foot-stomping country numbers. She is influenced by artists such as Bjork, Mountain Man, Tom Waits, Diane Cluck, and Kate Burke. Jhana delivers raw, honest lyrics wrapped in sunlit mandolin, (sometimes fiddle, viola and piano), driving rhythms and pure vocals.