Nigel Wearne is a country/folk singer-songwriter whose music has an intimate and poignant narrative. Equipped with personally handcrafted guitars, his music melds finger-style guitar, country twang, honky tonk and honest storytelling. With a hint of Hank Williams and influences including Townes Van Zandt, Steve Earle, Bob Dylan and the spirit of Woody Guthrie, Nigel Wearne delivers dynamic and inspired performances that will rattle your emotions.
In 2009, Nigel recorded ‘Sweetest Delusion’ beginning a new chapter of explorative song-writing. Recorded the old fashioned way to 2” tape, the album tackles broad song themes ranging from the Aboriginal tracker, to finding truth and selling flowers at the old folk’s home. With frayed poetic edges and honest grit ‘Sweetest Delusion’ is an entirely acoustic affair ‘the kind of music that really speaks’ (Forte Magazine).
After a successful East Coast Tour in 2011 with performances in Melbourne, Canberra, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Hobart and the Blue Mountains, Wearne is ‘capturing audiences across the country’ (Beat Magazine). Nigel has performed at various music festivals throughout Australia, most recently including the 2012 Port Fairy Folk Festival, 2012 Gulgong Folk Festival and the 2011 Tablelands Folk Festival.
In early 2012, he fine-tuned his sound by forming country/folk band Nigel Wearne & The Cast Iron Promises, with Dan Watkins (mandolin), Kat Mear (fiddle/viola) and Andy Scott (double-bass). After performing solo for 3 years, The Cast Iron Promises bring rich harmonies, distinctive arrangements and new life to Wearne’s music.
Nigel’s highly anticipated upcoming album ‘Black Crow’ will be released on November 2 and was recorded by Adelaide’s Mick Wordley (Jeff Lang, Chris Whitley, Jordie Lane). The 12-song collection showcases Nigel’s diversity, from the rollicking debut single ‘Stealth’, to the gypsy tones of ‘Beautiful Blue’ and the brooding biographical tale ‘Pemulwuy’. ‘Black Crow’ exhibits Nigel Wearne as one of Australia’s emerging songwriters, and tells stories of mischievous bank robbers, wandering poets and his love of eggs.
With the November album release and appearances at the upcoming JamGrass Festival, Dorrigo Folk & Bluegrass Festival and Harrietville Bluegrass Convention, Nigel’s 2012/2013 summer season is off to a flying start.
Nigel Wearne 2012 Australian Tour
26th – 28th Oct Dorrigo Folk & Bluegrass Festival, NSW
www.dorrigofolkbluegrass.com.au
Fri 9th Nov The Front Gallery & Cafe, Canberra ACT (Supported by The Wedded Bliss)
www.frontgallerycafe.com
Sun 11th Nov Thornbury Theatre, Thornbury, VIC (Supported by Luke Watt)
www.thethornburytheatre.com
15th – 18th Nov Harrietville Bluegrass Convention, Harrietville, VIC
www.harrietvillebluegrass.com.au
Sun 25th Nov The Wheatsheaf Hotel, Thebarton, SA (Supported by The Hushes)
www.wheatsheafhotel.com.au
Fri 30th Nov The Piping Hot Chicken Shop, Ocean Grove, VIC
www.pipinghotchickenshop.com.au
