DOORS 7:00PM // Seated

Gian Slater’s Grey Is Ground album launch

Singer/composer Gian Slater is a celebrated voice both here and abroad; a singer’s singer whose vocal artistry and sophisticated songwriting form the foundation of her stylistically varied, adventurous career. Slater’s sixth solo album Grey Is Ground is her first to be released on New York-based label Biophilia Records. 

“The name was inspired by this sense of a neutral place, where you’re open to mystery. There’s colour all around you, but then there’s this neutral place that is my ground. Just because I feel uncertain doesn’t mean that I can’t feel the ground beneath me”, Slater explains in Audiofemme magazine. 

Produced by the transcendent Barney McAll and featuring the genius of drummer Simon Barker, the album marks the singer’s deepest dive into the unknown - a fizzing, technicolor journey underpinned by Barker’s rhythmic exploration and hybrid approach to technology, McAll’s day-glow synthesisers, and topped by Slater’s confessional lyrics and soaring vocals. 

For this special album launch show, the trio of Gian, Barney and Simon perform the new album, exploring the nature of mystery, curiosity and surrender through Slater’s songs and their collective improvisations. 

Gian Slater (Voice/Piano/Synth)
Barney McAll (Piano/Synth)
Simon Barker (Drums)

Underwards 

Award-winning trumpet player Ellen Kirkwood earned a four star review from the Sydney Morning Herald in 2013 for the imaginative blend of myth and music on her debut LP Theseus and The Minotaur. Since then, the Sydney local has built a reputation as one of Australia’s premier improvisors, working with a roster of Australia’s brightest jazz talent like Paul Cutlan, Mike Nock, Greg Sheehan, Mohammed Youseef and Ben Walsh, and as part of Matthew Ottignon’s fiery Ethio-Jazz group Mister Ott. 

For her upcoming SIMA appearance Kirkwood leads a quartet performing music inspired by nature and climate change, characterised by her signature moody style. 

Charged with bringing her music to life with skill and vibrancy are some of Sydney’s best - Hilary Geddes on guitar (Visions of Nar, The Buoys), Nick Henderson on bass and synths (Arcing Wires, Emily-Rose and the Wild Things) and Alex Inman-Hislop (Barney McAll Quintet, Zela Margossian Quintet).

Throughout Underwards Kirkwood evocatively combines composed material with group and solo improvisations, fuelling the imagination with a healthy dose of genuine emotion and ecstatic weirdness.  

"Ellen Kirkwood's music has that rare quality that characterises the music of the best composers: A truly unique, original voice that leaves you dying to hear the next piece” - Dr Sandy Evans, OAM

Ellen Kirkwood (Trumpet, Vocals, Loops)
Hilary Geddes (Guitar)
Nick Henderson (Electric Bass, Synths)
Alex Inman-Hislop (Drums) 

TICKETING INFO

 This is an 18+ event. 

This is a seated show with a limited capacity adhering to current restrictions. 

 ALL SEATING IS UNRESERVED AND IS ALLOCATED UPON ENTRY.

We ask that you please arrive with the group you wish to be sat with. We cannot guarantee where you will be seated prior to your arrival.

Do not attend if you are feeling unwell.

Please adhere to social distancing at all times and follow direction from venue staff.

The venue will be taking a number of precautionary measures to ensure patron safety, including:
- Hand sanitiser dispensers
- Signage and social distancing markers throughout the venue
- Regular sanitising of the venue and facilities

Photo ID is essential, acceptable ID is a current and valid Australian Photo Drivers Licence, State Approved ‘Proof of Age’ card or Passport.