Mandy Connell

Bio

Connell’s arresting presence is what stands out. Singer and guitarist, she is popular for her writing, and loved for her stagecraft, but it’s her breadth of passion for the broader ‘folk’ genre which makes her unusual in Australia. A songwriter with a guitar, Connell has an edge more reminiscent of Margaret Roadknight or Norma Waterson than of Kate Bush or Joni Mitchell. Having worked with a well-known five piece ‘traditional’ band (Stray Hens) reworking contemporary and trad folk ballads, Connell is at home with big production, but continues to work solo or with simple lineups of bass and drums or bass and lead guitar, presenting her own work locally and Internationally with producers in Melbourne (Luke Plumb, Myles Mumford) and the UK. Since 2017, Connell has hosted a YouTube series called An Otherwise Quiet Room- drawing on interviews and duets in social spaces - shops and bars- and has showcased Sally Dastey, Liz Stringer, Gallie, Mike Compton (Soggy Bottom Boys), and more. Due to release new music in 2020 produced by Tom Wright (Yellow Arch Studios, Martin Simpson, Nancy Kerr), Connell has loved independent and live music since early childhood in the 80’s, following artists like Kate Rusby, Andy Irvine, Kristina Olsen, Enda Kenny, Chris Wilson, Cindi Boste, Alistair Hulett, Kavisha Mazzella…. With a passion for soft ballads offset by a love of blues and dance music. Her stage patter and interests are varied, and as an artist she is hard to place within a genre other than that nebulous ‘Folk’ label…. Connell’s career is as diverse as her show is dynamic. 

2016-Ongoing An Otherwise Quiet Room. A webseries of three Melbourne seasons and three festival seasons. Developed for YouTube, the series is independently funded (by mandy’s pocket) and features interviews and duets with musicians in social spaces / local businesses. To date the series has featured Dorrigo Folk and Bluegrass Festival, Newstead Live, The Merri Creek Tavern, and businesses in the City of Moreland and the City of Yarra. Core video team- Agostino Soldati and Bob Hutchison (Festivals). Core audio by Mischa Herman(Mel) and Bob Hutchison (Festivals)

2017 The Maggie Darlings- A studio album, made in collaboration with Layla Fibbins (Sideshow Brides) and Alysia Manceau at Thirty Mill Records with Colin Wynne.

2016 Empty Train - Inclusion on David Francey’s Empty Train with the song “The False Knight”. Francey won Best Album for Empty Train at the 2016 Canadian Folk Music Awards.

2016 The Confluence (Stray Hens)

2012-2017 Stray Hens - A five piece band featuring twin fiddles, full drums and double bass. The Hens released a self titled EP in 2013 and a full length album produced by Luke Plumb in late 2016. The Hens performed at Maldon, Port Fairy, National Folk Festival, & The Spotted Mallard.

2013 Festival Folk Sing Judy Small- A compilation of tracks made in tribute to Judy Small. The album won best Rhythms Magazine Best Compilation (2013). Connell’s contribution of “From the Lambing To The Wool” was also re recorded for The Maggie Darlings Album in 2017.

2011 Festival Folk Sing Eric Bogle- A compilation of tracks made in tribute to Eric Bogle. Connell’s contribution of “The Demon” is well loved.

2010 Festival Folk Sing Joni Mitchell- A compilation of tracks made in tribute to Joni Mitchell. Connell’s contribution of “You Turn Me On I’m A Radio” is well loved.

'Mandy Connell is the latest in a long and distinguished line of talented female musicians to grace the musical scene in Australia. A fine singer and songwriter in her own right, she also has the knack of taking other peoples' songs, and by virtue of her original and unique interpretations making them her own, the mark of a truly gifted performer.'..- Eric Bogle

‘Saw Ms Mandy Connell sing and play at Australia’s National Folk Festival. A great talent with a passionate and compelling voice and a total command of her music! Catch her if you can’.- Paul Brady