About Melanie

Melanie Gent

vocals, guitar, bass, percussion

Tasmanian folk musician Melanie Gent writes songs inspired by life. Her work reveals great depth and passion, with a wonderful touch on a range of open-tuned guitars.

Currently, Melanie is working on songs and demos for her upcoming fourth studio album recording, as well as writing and performing with desert-rock outfit Stone Troll, and psychedelic trio On The Shores Of The Cosmic Ocean.

Melanie Gent has been a regular performer at many folk events around Tasmania over the past nine years, including the Cygnet Folk Festival, and further afield at The National Folk Alliance Convention (ACT), Candelo Arts Society Songwriters Night (NSW), and the National Folk Festival (ACT).

For three consecutive years, she performed alongside renowned guitarist and songwriter Kate Burke ("Kate & Ruth", "Trouble In The Kitchen") at Tasmania's premier folk event, the Cygnet Folk Festival.

As well as performing her original music, she has presented songwriting workshops alongside well known folk musicians Kate Burke, Penelope Swales, Lucie Thorne, Peter Hicks, Ian Paulin, Mick Thomas ("Weddings Parties Anything") and Doug Ashdown (writer of 'Winter in America'). She has also supported Australian music greats Jenny Morris and Margret Roadknight, and folk stars Trouble In The Kitchen on their respective Tasmanian tours.

During January 2008 she launched her third independent studio album, "Stand" recorded in Melbourne with special guest Kate Burke and sound engineer Joe Ferguson. 

Former Band Members

Sam Smets (2003 - 2006)

guitar, mandolin

 

Huw Wilkins (2005 - 2006)

bass, cello, double bass, guitar

 

Shay McCusker (2003 - 2006)

sound engineer, stage set-up, roadie, camera-man...