Over 4 Mondays in September, SARAH BELKNER brings her unique existential indie singer-songwriter vibes to Butchers Brew Bar, teaming up with different great local artists every week. Together they will bring a residency filled with old songs, brand new songs, a chance to let her know songs you may want to hear her & her guest do together & maybe even a singalong or two for everyone to enjoy.
Feautured artists are the incredible BABY VELVET, BRENDAN MACLEAN, ELANA STONE & COOEE. Each week will be its own adventure & a great way to warm the heart at the start of the week.
Sarah would describe ELANA STONE as a “Sister From Another Mister”. They tour together playing in Missy Higgins band & had their babies within a couple of months of each other. Elana has been a huge influence on so many artists - Sarah included - as she is just a killer musician with one of Sydney’s most iconic voices. The pair have supported each other musically & humanly for the past almost 20 years so it’s pretty special when they get together. They collectively love a laugh & a good wail ,so this night will be sure to include some good stories & delicious songs.
⭐️ ELANA STONE is a double ARIA Award-winning singer, songwriter & multi-instrumentalist whose music blends instrumental invention with playful quirk & deep emotional resonance. Her distinctive style weaves together elements of folk, modern electronica, indie pop & balladry, all underpinned by her lyrical vulnerability & exceptional melodic instinct. Elana has released four critically acclaimed solo albums ‘In The Garden of Wild Things’ (2006), ‘Your Anniversary’ (2009), ‘Kintsugi’ (2015) & ‘Married to the Sound’ (2024). Each record showcases her evolving sound - by turns exultant and introspective - while affirming her place as one of Australia’s most original & dynamic voices. She is also a founding member of the ARIA Award-winning folk/ alt-country supergroup ‘All Our Exes Live in Texas’, known for their lush harmonies & captivating live performances. The band has toured extensively across Australia, the US, UK & Europe, sharing stages with global acts such as The Backstreet Boys, Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats, & Midnight Oil.
In addition to her solo & group work, Elana is a longtime member of Missy Higgins’ live band & has toured internationally with the John Butler Trio as a singer, pianist, accordionist & percussionist, opening for John Butler across Europe in 2022. Her collaborative spirit has seen her perform & record with a wide range of artists, including Hermitude, Megan Washington, Josh Pyke, Kate Miller-Heidke, Jackson Jackson, Ngaiire, Passenger, Donny Benét, Bluejuice & the beloved Melbourne comedy group Tripod. Her unmistakable voice & fearless creativity are matched by an authenticity & humour that bring both lightness & truth to her music.
⭐️ SARAH BELKNER is a singer, instrumentalist, songwriter, arranger, composer, musical director & studio producer living on Gadigal Country. Her EP ‘Humans’ (2015) & two albums ‘But You Are, But It Has’ (2017) & ‘The Apple’ (2023) have seen her gain accolades such as Double J album of the week, a song featured in the hit series ‘Offspring’ & performances at ‘The Great Escape’ UK as well as supporting artists including Sarah Blasko, Lisa Mitchell & The Veils. Belkner has also become a revered touring musician/ MD performing with many great artists including Missy Higgins, Neil Finn & Tim Minchin. She has also sat in the producer’s seat for the likes of Missy Higgins, Brendan Maclean & Leah Flanagan.
Sarah Belkner’s second album, THE APPLE reflects on the essence of creativity, life’s challenges, and the simplicity of being alive. Her lyrics emerged as heartfelt poems, composed in transient moments on planes and hotel rooms, later set to music when she found respite from her rigorous schedule. Inspired by her travels, she delves into what it means to be creative in a constantly evolving world. At its core, the album encourages self-commitment and reminds us that life is a fleeting gift.
Sarah Belkner’s musical journey has garnered widespread acclaim, starting with her debut solo album, BUT YOU ARE, BUT IT HAS, released in 2017. The album was celebrated as Double J’s Album of the Week. The “Cellophane” music video premiered exclusively on Rolling Stone. At the same time, her song “Susanne” left an indelible mark in a pivotal scene of the hit series Offspring.
In addition to her solo work, Sarah Belkner has established herself as a sought-after touring musician and musical director, collaborating with esteemed artists such as Missy Higgins, Tim Minchin, Neil Finn, Sarah Blasko, OLYMPIA and NGAIIRE
Belkner’s remarkable talents extend to production as well. She produced Missy Higgins’ single “Carry You,” written by Tim Minchin for the acclaimed series “Upright.” Furthermore, she co-wrote and produced Brendan Maclean’s debut album, “And The Boyfriends” (2019), which reached #2 on the iTunes chart. She lent her production expertise to Leah Flanagan’s album, “Colour By Number” (2020), which scored Double J’s Album of the Week.
‘The musicianship throughout is astounding, but never thrust in your face. It’s mature, timeless pop that nails those vital core elements.’ - Double J
‘Belkner emerges as a singular artist’ - Rolling Stone
‘Assured, fragile, tender, sexy’ - Melbourne Age
Her new album THE APPLE was recorded back in 2020 and then left to sit for a variety of reasons, it was a year that brought profound changes for Belkner. During this time, she became pregnant with her daughter Juno, witnessed her father-in-law’s cancer diagnosis and subsequent passing, and then also endured her sister-in-law’s battle and loss with cancer. During these personal trials, she navigated touring with a newborn during the pandemic. However, this tumultuous period unintentionally resulted in a poignant time capsule that captured life’s essence before everything
changed, offering a sense of simplicity and hopefulness. The recurring symbolism of the apple, present throughout history, religion, and popular culture, intrigued Belkner. She felt the profound meaning behind this simple fruit and how it represents complex concepts matched how the album’s surface simplicity belies its deep exploration of the human experience.
