Songstress sisters set to return for album launch

WHAT started as two little girls dancing in the dust of a local music festival has come full circle, with the pair of performers set to take the stage for an album launch at the event that helped them fall in love with music. 

Twin sisters Alanna and Alicia Egan grew up in Bendigo and go by the band name Alanna and Alicia. 

They will be playing songs from their fifth album Heart Song Listen at the upcoming Maldon Folk Festival. 

“We have a long history with that festival, and we’ve actually been going to that festival since we were real’ little babies,” said Alanna. 

“We would dance in the dust to the big outdoor amphitheatre stage and to all the different bands and acts. 

“We first started playing there in 2008, so it will always be a really special festival to us, so it’s great to be coming back and launching our fifth album there. 

“It was actually the first festival we were booked for as a band.” 

Alanna said the duo, who both moved to Melbourne to study creative writing and music, love to venture home to play local gigs. 

“Getting out to the country, I think people are probably more excited and appreciative of Melbourne bands coming back and playing because there’s not as much music as there is in Melbourne,” she said. 

“We always get a really warm reception which is great.” 

Other members of the band who’ll be joining Alanna and Alicia on stage in Maldon include guitarist Damien Neil, who’s played with the pair from the beginning, violinist Sarah Busutill, and violinist and pianist Silas Palmer. 

Alanna said their music is a bit of folk, and a touch of jazz, and is similar to acts like The Waifs, The Indigo Girls, Joni Mitchell, and Leonard Cohen, and the jazzier songs of Billie Holiday, Nina Simone, and The Boswell Sisters. 

“We’re really looking forward to playing at Maldon Folk Festival and to seeing all the other wonderful musicians on the bill and to catch up with our folk community there,” she said. 

The Maldon Folk Festival runs from Friday 3 to Monday 6 November, and Alanna and Alicia will launch their album from 5.45pm to 6.30pm on the Sunday at Maldon Hotel.