SARAH BELKNER & FRIENDS

Over 4 Mondays in September, SARAH BELKNER brings her unique existential indie singer-songwriter vibes to Butchers Brew Bar, teaming up with different great local artists every week.  Together they will bring a residency filled with old songs, brand new songs, a chance to let her know songs you may want to hear her & her guest do together & maybe even a singalong or two for everyone to enjoy. 

Feautured artists are the incredible BONNIESONGS, BRENDAN MACLEAN, ELANA STONE & COOEE.  Each week will be its own adventure & a great way to warm the heart at the start of the week.

Sarah met Mark Harding via the wonderful Annie Hamilton, when he came to her get some singing lessons (but mostly just needed a bit of cheerleading) to sing a song at his sister's wedding.  She was blown away by Mark's voice, musicianship & flair for visual arts.  A couple of months ago, Mark brought his friend & bandmate Kirli along so they could get some tips for performing their songs live & Sarah has been obsessed with them since. COOEE are the most heartfelt duo with gorgeous songs inspired by Kirli's poems.  A true incredible story of artistic bond & friendship that needs to be shared far & wide!

  COOEE is the newly formed collaboration between Gunai multidisciplinary artist KIRLI SAUNDERS (OAM) & musician-producer MARK CHESTER HARDING.  The project began serendipitously, after Kirli & Mark met performing with Jack River for triple j’s Like a Version in late 2023.  That same week, Kirli had released her poetry collection, 'Returning' (Magabala) - a book that would linger with Mark & ultimately form the lyrical foundation of their early songwriting sessions.  A handful of Kirli’s poems were soon set to Mark’s pre-existing musical sketches, marking the start of a dynamic creative partnership.

Kirli, a proud Gunai woman & recipient of the Order of Australia Medal for her contributions to the arts, brings a literary sensibility to the project.  Her writing,spanning 8 books, with works like 'Kindred' (Magabala), 'Returning' & 'Eclipse' (Allen & Unwin, 2025), explores connections to Country, culture, love & loss.  

Mark is a producer & songwriter known for his collaborations with artists such as Jack River, Sons of the East & Little May.  His solo releases have collectively garnered over six million streams.

Both Kirli & Mark are also visual artists, designing all accompanying artwork & content for the project themselves - an extension of their shared commitment to storytelling through multiple forms.

SARAH BELKNERr is a singer, instrumentalist, songwriter, arranger, composer, musical director & studio producer living on Gadigal Country. Her EP ‘Humans’ (2015) & two albums ‘But You Are, But It Has’ (2017) & ‘The Apple’ (2023) have seen her gain accolades such as Double J album of the week, a song featured in the hit series ‘Offspring’ & performances at 'The Great Escape' UK as well as supporting artists including Sarah Blasko, Lisa Mitchell & The Veils. Belkner has also become a revered touring musician/ MD performing with many great artists including Missy Higgins, Neil Finn & Tim Minchin. She has also sat in the producer's seat for the likes of Missy Higgins, Brendan Maclean & Leah Flanagan.

instagram.com/sarahmbelkner

https://www.patreon.com/c/sarahbelkner

https://sarahbelkner.bandcamp.com/

🎫 LIMITED TIX!!  $23 Prebook/ $25 Door/ $74 Multipass to all 4 events ( = 20% Discount)

Doors from 6pm

We are a Licensed Venue. Outside Food is Welcome but No Outside Drinks/ Water Bottles allowed.

Under 18s permitted if under the direct supervision of a Guardian/ Adult