NEW SINGLE: Alana Wilkinson 'Dream Big' + Small Halls Tour
Alana Wilkinson’s brings a ray of positivity to the new year with ‘Dream Big’ single
+ Festival of Small Halls, Ross Wilson support and Folk Alliance International
Award-winning songwriter and performer Alana Wilkinson is as equally comfortable in the intimate confines of a house concert or the expansive surroundings of a festival and this year is making a memorable mark kicking the year off with standing ovations at Woodford Folk Festival, embarking on an extensive Festival of Small Halls tour with Scottish fiddler Ryan Young, touring theatres with Aussie rock legend Ross Wilson and heading to the US to showcase at Folk Alliance International all before April.
Between months of touring and being a full-time mum, Alana is bringing her ray of positivity to the world with her newest single ‘Dream Big', the first glimpse into her upcoming debut LP, out on Wednesday 24 January via Gyrostream. After welcoming her son Rafferty into the world in 2021, his 16 week early arrival was followed by a 3 month stint in the NICU, a dramatic flood evacuation, and a year of home oxygen. Raffy became a constant inspiration for Alana’s writing and ‘Dream Big’ was born, a stripped back story of hope and resilience, held together by the angelic voice of Alana.
“Raffy was born extremely prematurely at 24 weeks and put up a big fight for 92 days in hospital until he was finally big and strong enough to come home. Throughout the terrifying experience I found solace in daydreaming of our future together; wishing on birthday cakes, singing to the trees and exploring the beauty and the chaos of the world waiting just beyond the hospital window." - Alana Wilkinson
Even before its official release 'Dream Big' has already tugged on the heartstrings of many, and was awarded the renowned Roddy Read Songwriting Award in November 2023. Written by Alana from within the walls of The Mater Mother’s Hospital NICU with a young Rafferty on her chest, this modern day lullaby for her newborn child was recorded live in the studio with Paul Ruske (Kyle Lionhart, Gretta Zilla), and mastered by George Georgiadis at Little Wing Sound (Matt Corby, Jack River, Teenage Dads).
'Dream Big' out Wednesday 24 January via Gyrostream + Bandcamp
Alana’s recorded output will explode confetti-style with the release of 'Dream Big' the very first single taken from her long awaited record, which will see her expand her palate of musical colours and textures, delivering the dreamy and inspiring body of work that audiences have fallen in love with at her shows.
A smiling assassin who combines delicate melodies with disarmingly insightful vignettes about the human condition, Alana's songs skewer ex-lovers, would-be suitors, ridiculous social norms and the absurd challenges of a suburban upbringing in a merciless, yet strangely affectionate way, leaving audiences feeling like they’re sitting in her living room, chatting about life over a steaming cuppa.
Alana’s wit, humour and insightful social commentary have turned heads with a string of major festival appearances including Woodford, Queenscliff, Blue Mountains, Nannup, and Port Fairy, not to mention sold-out headline shows, and support slots for the likes of Daryl Braithwaite, Tim Freedman, Fanny Lumsden, Clare Bowditch, The Pierce Brothers and Kav Temperley. Supported by community radio including Radio MAMA, Radio Adelaide, Bay FM, Triple Z, PBS FM, 4ZZZ, RTRFM, and more, with previous singles played across ABC National, and rotation for shoppers in retail outlets (Hello Kmart!), Alana has enchanted diverse audiences across Australia.
Always one to watch, catch Alana at a small hall near you this January, and bask in her sunshiny glory with ‘Dream Big’.
Festival of Small Halls with Ryan Young
Wednesday 24 January
6:30pm
Broke Community Hall, Broke, NSW
Thursday 25 January
6:30pm
Bobin School of Arts Hall, Bobin, NSW
Friday 36 January
6:30pm
Coramba Community Hall, Coramba, NSW
Saturday 27 January
6:30pm
Whiporie Community Hall, Whiporie, NSW
Sunday 28 January
6:30pm
Wardell Memorial Hall, Wardell, NSW
Ross Wilson + The Peaceniks Support
Friday 9 February
Cardinia Cultural Centre, Pakenham, VIC
8pm
Ross Wilson + The Peaceniks Support
Saturday 10 February
COPACC, Colac, VIC
8pm
Ross Wilson + The Peaceniks Support
Sunday 11 February
Kyneton Town Hall, Kyneton, VIC
4pm
Friday 1 March
Nannup Music Festival 2024
Ross Wilson + The Peaceniks Support
Friday 15 March
Thornbury Theatre, Melbourne, VIC
7.30pm
Ross Wilson + The Peaceniks Support
Saturday 16 March
Gippsland Performing Arts Centre, Traralgon, VIC
8.00pm
Ross Wilson + The Peaceniks Support
Sunday 17 March
Forge Theatre, Bairnsdale, VIC
4pm
Official Showcase at Folk Alliance International
Friday 23rd February - Pershing stage
7:30pm
All tickets are available at: www.alanawilkinson.com