Irish-convict-noir trio Witches Leap will perform at Armidale's Studio Folk Club on Saturday as part of their regional tour.
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Local folk singer and multi-instrumentalist Jhana Allan will share the stage with her new duo Mountain Birds.
"Witches Leap," the band said, "combine the richness of uilleann pipes with wooden Irish flute, prog-folk bouzouki, and stompbox to filter trad Irish music through the hanging swamps and mythology of their Blue Mountains home."
Studio Folk Club, 62 Beardy Street, is an independent local arts co-operative venue. "A really intimate and unique space," musician Paddy Connor said.
The trio played to a full house last time they toured. "It's an earthy high country kitchen and a bohemian arts collective all rolled into one," Mr Connor said.
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The line-up has performed at major folk festivals across Australia.
"Witches Leap's originals sing to the heart of Australia's identity and history," Mr Connor said. "Folk-punk tales of black bushrangers and rum-soaked redcoats give way to convict-gospel sing-alongs and lively Irish polkas."
Witches Leap showcases the rarely seen Uilleann Pipes, the traditional bagpipe of Ireland.
"A much gentler and darker instrument than the more famous Scottish counterparts, the Irish pipes evoke both the haunting tones of Ireland, and the driving energy of Celtic music," Mr Connor said.
Keeping traditions alive, this trio builds on the past with original jigs and reels inspired by Australia's landscape and identity, from the stories of the black heroes of the Resistance Wars to the winding back-roads of the Blue Mountains.
Armidale-raised Jhana Allan explores themes of darkness and light, loss and acceptance through original songwriting and virtuosic performances of fiddle and mandolin.
After years touring with high-energy gypsy and trad-jazz bands, Jana returned to her Armidale roots. She has a newly released solo album and will showcase her new duo, Mountain Birds.
Witches Leap and Mountain Birds perform at the Studio Folk Club, 62 Beardy St, Armidale on Saturday, July 20, with doors open from 6pm. Tickets are $20, with online presales at eventbrite.com.