Hello everyone,
I hope you’re all having a lovely week.
I’m writing to let you know what I’ve been up to! I’ve just done a string of shows opening for the incredible Kate Miller-Heidke. We’ve toured to regional Vic, Newcastle, Boorloo/Perth, Naarm/Melbourne and Kaurna/Adelaide. This weekend we will be heading to Meanjin/Brisbane.
I’ve felt really inspired watching Kate and (her hubby and guitarist) Keir Nuttal play each night. Their artistry, chemistry and charisma is an absolute masterclass in virtuosic live performance. I’ve also been loving listening to the new songs from Kate’s new album The Kiss and the Abyss. My faves are Hidden Things and Elephant.
These shows have also been a wonderful opportunity for me to hone my solo one-woman live show – so I’ve been playing with sample pads and vocal effects to really challenge myself. I’ve also had the great honour of playing with Kate and Keir during their set, and I tell ya, singing backing vocals for Kate has stretched my abilities (and vocal register!) a lot. And I’m grateful for it. As you all know, I love to evolve and grow and learn, so this tour has given me all that and more. I’m feeling sad about the finish line already.
For those of you who had tickets to the Gadigal/Sydney shows that were cancelled (because Kate got a horrible virus); the shows have been rescheduled to January 21-23 next year. So at least I can hold on to this whole dreamy experience a little longer. Tickets are here.
The other big news is that tickets are moving quickly for my big new work KOŁACZ which is premiering at this year’s Melbourne International Jazz Festival! This show is my chance to stretch some more: I’ve composed a new work inspired by all my biggest influences – Vangelis, Morricone, Piazzolla, Grappelli, Chopin – with lots of improvisation, and the story about my surname in light of my recent acquisition of Polish citizenship by descent. I’ll be performing with my long-time collaborator, drummer Justin Olsson, bassist/vocalist Helen Svoboda and Estonian artist Tuulikki Bartosik who plays accordion and Kannel.
The other big HUGE news is that this work will have an international premiere at this year’s EFG London Jazz Festival in November! I can’t believe it! All the trips I’ve been making overseas since 2024 are starting to pay off; with these amazing opportunities to both share my music, and play with international artists. But more about all that next time…
For now, I’m going to enjoy these last few shows with Kate. And for those of you wishing to come along to my KOŁACZ premiere, I’d get on to buying tickets ASAP right here.
See you out there soon.
Love xani xx
P.S: At a time that suits you, there are four other ways you can immerse yourself in a creative world:
1: Listen to music:
Get inspired by listening to my music online. Just listen here.
2: Listen to a community of music makers:
Jump in to the peaks and troughs of my favourite music by local artists.
Check out my monthly playlist.
3: Get ethical and own the latest experience for yourself:
Ethically buy the latest music and merch I have created just for music lovers.
Final copies of “Keep Moving” on vinyl are here.
4: Immerse yourself in the present moment:
See and hear the real, live thing a gig. Tickets here.
