Biography:

“An expressive voice that engages you instantly.” Gotye

If there is one enduring tradition in Australian music, it’s that of the songwriter. Our country’s musical heritage is littered with artists who run their eye over the stuff of everyday life, committing it to music and forging a unique connection with listeners in the process.

And it is a down-to-earth, no fuss tradition at the heart of Melbourne artist Hannah Acfield and her music. Listen to her new EP Where You Once Lay and it’s not just her stunning and remarkably flexible voice that grabs you, but the honesty and simplicity of her music. It feels like writing and performing is just second nature to her.

But then it was unlikely Hannah would follow any other path – it’s in her blood. Growing up in a family full of musicians, making music just seemed like the most natural thing for her to do.

“We had a musical instrument bowl on the table instead of a fruit bowl which was full of maracas, harmonicas, tin whistles, clap sticks,” Hannah explains. “Kids in the neighbourhood who would drop in thought we were weird… but for us it was completely normal.”