Anchored by a resonant voice, exhibiting the best of a storyteller and expressing his influences stemming from his Shilha Moroccan and Italian cultural roots, Australia’s Jad Pinnone is a sonic poet blending ambient blues, folk, and soulful R&B-infused maqam chants. Drawing from Moroccan folklore and spiritual Gnawa music and merging it with the alternative, Jad creates hypnotic soundscapes rich with dreamy, atmospheric elements that transport the listener to another world. Following a successful performance at St Kilda Festival and a celebrated return to Melbourne after a standout solo acoustic set at Port Fairy Folk Festival, Jad now introduces a fresh chapter in his musical journey — performing with a new, multicultural band. This evolution brings in a fusion of Moroccan folklore, world music, and Sicilian traditions, with fresh instrumentation and a broader sound palette. The result is a more inclusive and immersive sonic experience, expanding on his unique identity while deepening the connection to his heritage. Influences include Nirvana, Jeff Buckley, Eminem, Matt Corby, Tash Sultana, Pearl Jam, The Weeknd, Frank Ocean and the greats of Moroccan, Sicilian and Italian music.
Molly Mckew
Molly grew up singing folk songs, choral pieces, and the Cranberries, and currently counts Sharon Van Etten, Diane Cluck, Jesca Hoop and Cat Power as her favorite influences. She has been writing songs and performing (guitar and vocals) around Melbourne for the last few years, first under the name Nancy Cole, then fronting a duo called Blue Lining, who released their EP, ‘Plaza’ in 2019. Her debut solo record, ‘I couldn’t grasp it’ is a dreamy and harmony-drenched journey into sad-girl stuff like solitude, love, and losing it. It was recorded and produced by Marcus Hobbs of the Brunswick All Girls Choir, features Anika Ostendorf (Hachiku) on keys and Robert Wrigley (East Brunswick All Girls Choir) on guitar, and was mastered by Mikey Young.
Duxie Franklin
Melbourne-based, multi-instrumentalist Duxie Franklin effortlessly combines elements of Pop, Indie, Alternative and Folk to create her endearing sound. Her unique and catchy melodies draw frequent comparisons to legends such as Joni Mitchell, Kate Bush, Björk and Gillian Welch. Duxie’s ethereal, pure voice has been praised as “one of the finest voices in the city” by Melbourne Unplugged. Tiana Speter, writing for The Soundcheck, described Duxie as possessing “a voice that melts quicker than an ice cream on a summer’s day”.
As a multi-disciplinary artist, Duxie is passionately involved in every step of the music making process from writing and production to video direction, photography and even merch, costume and jewellery making. Duxie’s enchanting live performances feature her animated banter and trademark flamboyant stage get-up.
