Join Francesca de Valence and Helen Perris in a cosy secret location for a night of beautiful music. Francesca and Helen will be flipping a coin to decide who plays first.

Francesca de Valence

There is a candor to Francesca de Valence that is not for the feint-hearted. Her songs, a reflection of herself, gracefully balance the line between integrity and intrigue to challenge how one thinks and feels. There is also a softness to this Australian songstress as she opens up and shares with the world what makes her creatively tick.

Six years after the prestigious Los Angeles Music Awards named a relatively unknown local Songwriter of the Year in 2008, this Brisbane artist has a string of performing, songwriting and recording achievements that reflect her inspiring development as an emerging independent artist. As a trained classical and jazz musician, Francesca’s musical influences are unconventional for a pop artist, ranging from Bach and The Beatles to Bacharach and Ben Folds. With three successful EP’s, numerous tours around Australia and internationally, supporting artists such as Belinda Carlisle and The Manhattan Transfer, playing sell-out shows at the Brisbane Festival and Hobart’s infamous MONA, and with a brand-spanking new Australian Songwriting Award in her hand, Francesca is clearly forging her own path as a distinguishing Australian artist.

“Australia’s answer to Carole King” (Star Mail)

“There are some gorgeous echoes of the lady at a piano, pop/folk goddesses of the ‘70s, but there’s nothing recycled in her lyrics or in her approach to songwriting” (Warp Magazine)

“Soaring, Beatles-esque melodies and...Crystalline Vocals” (Sydney CitySearch)

“The gifts offered up to the world by Francesca are a kind of soul-honey” (Aphra Magazine)

“If the gorgeous vocals and flawless technique don’t have you at hello, the very real candor of her songwriting and lyrics will” (Warp Magazine)

www.fdvmusic.com

Helen Perris

Helen Perris, a self-confessed dork with a keyboard is again teaming up with Josh Schuberth of Endomusia Productions to work on her follow up to Oneiro, which was released in November 2013. Oneiro managed to reveal the pure joy inhabiting Helen’s sweet melodies and honest lyrics, despite it being produced in the sleep deprivation of new motherhood. Helen has both heartfelt and tongue-in-cheek songs that combine the 1960s feel of the Beach Boys and modern sounds of some of her biggest inspirations, Tori Amos, Sarah Slean and Kate Miller-Heidke.

Since launching her solo career four years ago, Sydney-based Helen has shared a stage with Amanda Palmer, Kate Miller-Heidke, Brendan Maclean, Kim Boekbinder, Mali Sastri (Jaggery) and The Jane Austen Argument, and performed at Peats Ridge Festival and TEDx Canberra.

Growing up, Helen was fed a diet of Fleetwood Mac, Leo Sayer, ABBA and Elvis Presley courtesy of regional AM radio, alongside her classical piano and violin training. Following her introduction into the world of musical theatre, it was probably inevitable that her musical style was destined to have a timeless feel with a storytelling bent.

“Oneiro really sees her come into her stride as a recording artist.” (Christine Caruana, Victim of Sound)

www.helenperrismusic.com