little update

Hello everyone. It’s wild to think it has been nearly 4 years since we last ran a Folk Club. I thought i’d write a little update on life since Folk Club and any future plans. I moved back to Melbourne in late 2017, and have continued to focus on running Heartstop Music, managing a roster of 5 artists. I have been tempted many times to pull out the banner and restart Folk Club but the timing hasn’t felt right with so much international travel in particular. It still sits in a box at the house, and the poles that go with it are in the garage, and I think there will come a time where at least a monthly show feels right to bring back. The real dream is to run a monthly night with no line up announced, and songwriters in the round. Drop me a line at alastair at heartstopmusic.com if you have any great venue ideas in Melbourne, and i hope everyone is doing okay out there in trying times. Miss you all! x Al

Final Show – May 14th 2016

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We had such a beautiful show the other night. Michael Waugh really knocked it out of the park to a sold out house and everyone was really cool about us finishing up Folk Club.

We’re less than 3 weeks out from our final show and tickets are rolling along for that. Please jump on board early so we don’t have to play the old ‘how do we squeeze more people into this tiny room’ game when people rock up on the door. I promise you it’ll be a cracking show, and we’ll probably give away lots of free drinks (at least all the whiskey as no one seems to buy it and it’s of no use after this final show).

I look forward to celebrating the finale with everyone on the 14th.

Al & TMFC team

Final Shows

So after a huge first year, and a very stop start second, we have decided that May 14th will be our final Folk Club, for now.

I am moving overseas in June to focus on managing my acts international careers, and while it seems obvious to just get others to run the show and keep it alive, it just isn’t taking shape.

I’m not convinced we can do the best job for the artists/venue/audience and in the end, half the reason for running these events for me is to be connected to a community of musicians and music lovers. The other half is to run the best live event for musicians and audience members, and neither seem feasible without putting a lot of time and energy into it.

So we’ll put the banner in the cupboard for now, and when we feel like we’re ready to absolutely smash it again, we’ll be back. Heartfelt thanks to everyone who has come out and support us since the first shows in April 2014.

That does leave 2 final shows at the Bakehouse on April 16 and May 14. Both are fantastic line ups, with Michael Waugh releasing his beautiful new record this Saturday with special guests Mandy Connell, Matt Glass & Gretta Ziller, and James Kenyon releasing his new single for our final show, alongside rising WA star Davey Craddock and one of Port Fairy Folk Festival’s stand out acts, The Grand Magoozi.





We would love to see everyone who has been part of the Folk Club to date to come out for these final shows.

Al & TMFC team

Two exciting new shows for March and April!

In March, Tim Guy brings his full band to play his brand new album Chords. This record is packed full of outrageously catchy songs, and see TG upbeat, optimistic and having a great time. It’s infectious and his band has some of Melbourne’s best musicians so the live show more than does justice to the tunes.

Check out his video for St Petersburg HERE and Tim’s album in full on bandcamp HERE.

He’ll be joined by Emily Barker who returns to Australia for a brief run of shows. Emily grew up in WA, but has made the UK her home and built an acclaimed career in that part of the world. She has released four albums, done extensive global touring, and had her music featured prominently as the theme song in BBC shows Wallander and The Shadow Line. Here is one of those tracks, with no lack of Melbourne references in it!



Let me introduce you to Michael Waugh through his classic folk tune Heyfield Girl. It’s an absolute beauty for mine, but the album is full of them.



I feel like our timing is perfect for Michael’s album launch on April 16 at Folk Club. I’ve been seeing his name in the media a lot lately as everyone begins to discover his gorgeous new album.

I remember seeing Michael at Port Fairy Folk Fest years ago, and it immediately grabbed me how authentic, honest and effecting he is as a songwriter and person. Many a tear in the audience that day.

The Australian gave it 4 stars over the weekend (see HERE) and we’re very excited to launch his album at Folk club on April 16! Check out 3 of the albums track at Michael’s website HERE.

Michael will be joined by Matt Glass and somewhat of a folk club regular in Mandy Connell who has played several times with Stray Hens and is always outstanding.

A reminder also that our first show of the 2016 series is on Feb 21st with Broads & Dan Parsons. That one is on it’s way to selling out so I suggest grabbing tix in the next couple weeks.

Happy that we’re staying afloat in 2016, in an amazing space at the Bakehouse, and presenting such a great set of concerts to open the year. Hope to see you there!

Al & TMFC team