For young Margaret River musicians Kiera Smirke and Peppa Lane, the idea of a hometown gig nestled in a supportive local music scene is a perfect way to spend an afternoon.
The pair have been making music and performing together in some form since Kiera first moved to Margaret River to begin Year 8 at Margaret River SHS.
"We've always done music 'stuff' together, ever since we did the Little Shop of Horrors musical in Year 9, that's when I decided to start getting some singing lessons and things really kicked off," she explained.
"Our friendship is just so solid, and making music together really feels like an extension of that partnership. We work so well together, it's a very harmonious process and we bounce ideas off each other.
"Our name, 'The Friendly Folk' is definitely an indication of how we feel, how our music sort of evolves and just the overall vibe of what we're trying to do."
Our friendship is just so solid, and making music together really feels like an extension of that partnership....we work so well together...
- Kiera Smirke
Combining lush vocal harmonies with double bass, guitar and ukelele, The Friendly Folk mix up their original songs with familiar covers in an eclectic jazz-folk-world music style, proven popular with their South West fans.
Having grown up in the region, the musicians are used to recognising friends and family in the crowd.
"It's so lovely to play at an established venue with a really supportive, local crowd like Settlers.
"We absolutely love those gigs, where we have lots of familiar faces and people who are there to enjoy themselves, we feel incredibly supported by that.
With Peppa embarking on her WAAPA studies journey in Perth this year and Kiera releasing her debut single 'Shadows' in 2018, the pair are eager to find time to perform together whenever they can.
"We're very excited to be performing at the Margaret River Readers and Writers Festival in May, and we'll also be at the Strings Attached Guitar Festival in October."
The Friendly Folk will play Settlers Tavern on Thursday April 25 from 8.30pm.
Entry is free.
To keep up with the duo's upcoming gigs visit www.facebook.com/thefriendlyfolk as well as www.facebook.com/kierajasmusic.
Nicky Lefebvre
I am a journalist, photographer and content creator based in the beautiful Margaret River wine region, covering all aspects of our community including local news, sport, entertainment and events, as well as providing a platform for our readers to share their voices direct from regional Australia.
I am a journalist, photographer and content creator based in the beautiful Margaret River wine region, covering all aspects of our community including local news, sport, entertainment and events, as well as providing a platform for our readers to share their voices direct from regional Australia.
