October: Nancy Bates / Vonda Last

About October: Nancy Bates / Vonda Last

Nancy Bates

Considered one of the best singer / songwriters in Australia today by national treasure Archie Roach, Bates' upcoming release of her album 'For Your Love' is one of the most highly anticipated Australian releases.

With such a rare vunerability, Bates bares herself through deep dived words, and a voice that can only be described as pure soul.  Emerging from the wings of Archie Roach after four years of touring as backing vocalist and rhythm guitarist, Bates musical growth is simply undeniable.  Her songs are pure emotion, a gift to the human spirit.

A proud and strong Barkindji Woman from New South Wales, Nancy Bates brings to Australia and the rest of the World a colourful blend of lyrics and music that we all yearn to infuse within our souls.  

Straight from the heart, sharing experiences of passion, yearning, lust, love won, love lost, pain and recovery. Her wonderful tones convey the story as it is meant to be told......savour the moment......."

Vonda Last

Vonda last is an Adelaide-based Nganyatjarra singer songwriter. Warm and engaging, her original songs are honest and melodic with a strong sense of the Australian landscape and way of life.  Music is a powerful medium that Vonda uses as an expression of her culture and what her family, their stories, her home and country mean to her. She has worked with Aboriginal community choirs, Short Black Opera Company performing in Pecan Summer, Archie Roach and the Australian Dance Theatre to name a few. Her first single release For Love of Country is regularly sung throughout South Australian Primary Schools in recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Servicemen and Women. Classical, gospel, country and soul influences infuse her music as she takes the audience on a journey. This year, she released a cover of Blackfella Whitefella during Reconciliation Week and is looking forward to a recording project of her original songs with Julian Ferraretto as Producer.

Vonda will be joined by the fabulous Jelja Quintet (Julian Ferraretto, Enrico Mick Morena, Lainie Jamieson, Jenna Bonavita & Alain Vàloze).