An enchanting duo. Two unique voices, flowing harmonies and captivating songs seem to bring Nick and Liesl a loving reception wherever they go. Their distinctive sound is the coming together of two singer/songwriters with influences ranging from Nick’s love of Cat Stevens and James Taylor to Liesl’s classical songbooks and the local folk music of her childhood home Sweden. Although only two people, the pair present a sound that fills large theatres and small village churches alike. Their stories are many and varied, as is their performance, with each switching between instruments along to the ever-present stomp box and tambourine.
After forming while on tour in Europe in early 2007, Nick and Liesl first gained recognition as a brilliant live act performing at festivals throughout Australia, the 2007 ABC Awards in Newcastle, and supporting artists such as Kate Miller-Heike, Harry Manx, Kasey Chambers and Shane Nicholson. In 2008 Nick and Liesl completed their second European tour playing to packed venues and festivals in Sweden, Germany & the UK before returning home to launch their debut EP Wyong River at The Basement in Sydney. Both local and international recognition earned them an invitation to Popkomm in Berlin as part of an Australian showcase along with artists Clare Bowditch and Sarah McCleod. While continuing with their success on the Australian festival circuit the EP received an ABC award, national airplay on ABC and Triple J and an inclusion on Home Grown Roots Vol 3 along with artists Paul Kelly, John Butler, Mia Dyson, Ash Grunwald and Karl Broadie.
Festivals - past & present
Popkomm '09 (De), The Village Festival Yeppoon '09 (Qld), The Gum Ball '09 (NSW), Wintermoon Festival '09 (Qld), Nannup Music Festival '09 (WA), Illawarra Folk '09 (NSW), Peats Ridge '08 (NSW), Yungaburra Folk ’08 (Qld), Reverb Coastal Musicfest ‘08 (NSW), Uranquinty Folk ‘08 (NSW), Wallaby Creek ‘08 (Qld), Chagstock ‘08 (UK), Mt Beauty Music ‘08 (Vic), Yackandandah Folk ‘08 (Vic), Peats Ridge ‘07 (event cancelled), Music at the Creek ‘07 (NSW), Uranquinty Folk ‘07, Wagga Wagga Jazz & Blues ‘07 (NSW), Coastfest ‘06 (NSW), Twin Valley Jazz ‘05 (NSW), Narrabeen Lakes ‘05 (NSW).
"a grownup Angus and Julia Stone...a more melodic waifs"
(Wyong River EP Review, The Drum Media Sept 08)
"There are some real gems like Nick & Liesl’s beautiful vocals and earthy lyrics on Wyong River"
(Lee Kindler - thedwarf.com.au, review of the star-studded compilation Home Grown Roots Vol 3, including artist Paul Kelly, John Butler, Mia Dyson and Ash Grunwald)
With regards to notable artists on this "outstanding compilation", Dave Hayes wrote "Nick Everitt of the Central Coast offers bubbly guitar pop and Sydneysider Liesl Karlsson is dark and haunting for her vocals. A pleasure"
(The Drum Media Aug 06, Review of Home Grown Roots Vol 1)
Original Australian country/roots music in one of Sydney’s intimate and personal
venues.
The Orphanage Sessions return in 2009 featuring The Orphans and guest artists The Blues Preachers, Lucie
Thorne, Karl Broadie, Caitlin Harnett, Lianna Rose, Nick & Liesl, Racz 'n Waters, Heather Mandich and
Southern Alliance, Angie Takats and Ronni Rae Rivers.
next time you are performing in newcastle i'll try to come and check it out! ive only seen you perform at the music awards a couple of years ago so id love to see you do a full set!
oh cool so youre making an album!!! you and nick have the most natural sounding harmonies that are just beautiful! i cant wait to hear it :) i entered this year and hope that i might have a chance but for next year i hope to have a better quality recording so that it is at the standard of all the other entries. im doing my hsc at the moment so that has priority to recording and writting at this point but i am trying to get some experience performing so that im not too nervous doing my hsc performances! thanks for listening to my songs :) i only made this myspace 2 weeks ago so its been good to get some feedback from people who have listened!
Hey Leisl, Thanks for comment. I will answer to either Curly or Neil (or Joe is cool!) Your European tour looks awesome. Hope it goes well. Next time am around Central Coast will try and catch you. Make sure you send invites if you are in Melbourne. Cheers Neil
thanks! well i record in my piano teachers garage so it's only on a keyboard. it does alright for now but i really want to record them properly one day :)
have you entered the ABC music awards again this year??? i am so excited for it! claire
I have started band management and my first project THE KIDNEY THIEVES from Brisbane will be playing at the clubs, Blink and Trash in Sydney this weekend. They are on stage both nights from 10 - 11pm, check them out, its like Ash Phoenix meets Mr Bungle on heat!! If you wanna hop on the industry guest list and check em out for free, text your email address to 0415 692 901 and say TKT in the message!! This band is unreal and these events will be massive
Would LOVE to come tonight, but am already going to be flat out. Your fellow Central Coastian is at the Lass (promised I'd be at his show months ago); there's a Newcastle all-star line up for a R&B/Blues night at the View Factory, and I have a dinner thing on with friends. Sorry :( Will try and catch you next time you're in town though.
Hey guys, Thanks for the words! Hope all's well for you both - looks like a solid touring schedule ahead for you - So cool! Keep that great vibe coming N&L. Chris K (St Leonards)
I really have a taste for folk music, and you guys hit the nail on the head. There is a 'Open Arms' festival in November in Coffs Harbour. It was be soo cool if you came. :)
great songs!!!!!!
