Sounds of Brazil CARRIED TO GEELONG ON THE WIND

Rising music stars Maximillian Rudd and Asha Henfry are locked in for Geelong’s two-day Windfire Music Festival this month, bringing the sounds of Brazil to The Dome at the city’s iconic library.

Max and Asha made their debut supporting local musician Xavier Rudd on his national Storm Boy album launch tour last year and have since played at shows around Victoria, including Torquay’s Ocean Grind and Melbourne’s Jazz Lab.

Torquay boy Max (seven-string guitar) and Dardanup-born (WA) Asha (flute), first created their sound when they met in 2016 and discovered each other’s love for Brazilian music.

“Brazilian music is always very communal,” says Max, brother of Xavier Rudd.

“Brazilians have created a culture where music doesn’t just accompany social events, it is the central point of social events. In samba (Brazil’s national music style), music goes hand in hand with singing and dancing.

“The history of Brazil is rooted in both slavery and migration, so the music comprises a wide variety of cultural flavours and influences, from Africa, Europe, and its own indigenous music. “Most people in our audiences usually come without knowing anything about Brazil and go home feeling more curious about the infectious energy of the music.”

The annual Windfire Festival is now in its 11th year, and is presented by Music at the Basilica, a local community organisation promoting arts and culture in Geelong.

The duo was asked to perform at The Dome by festival director Frank de Rosso who taught at St Joseph’s College Geelong where Max attended high school.

“It’s an honour to have been invited to perform in this annual festival. It celebrates art music of Geelong, the Surf Coast and Bellarine Peninsula, with a wide spread of artists who live and work in the area,” says Max.

“The festival shows that Geelong and the Surf Coast are alive with culture.”

“Max & Asha” will play at The Dome (Geelong Library) on Saturday May 18 from 3pm. Show tickets and festival passes are available online via trybooking.com. For more information, go to maximillianrudd.com.