CELEBRATING
the recipient of the roddy read songwriter award
Alana was awarded the ‘Roddy Read Songwriters Award’ by Maldon Folk Festival for her song ‘Dream Big’, judged and presented by Maton Guitars.
semi-finalist in the unsigned only competition
‘Shine Through’ has found itself a place in the semi finals of the global Unsigned Only Music Competition.
The Listen up songwriting prize
‘Square One’, the second single from Alana’s debut record ‘Half Time Oranges’ has landed a spot in the top 100 of the Listen Up Songwriting Prize. Also placing in the top 100 is ‘Love Wins’ an unreleased co-write with Angus Robb.
HALF TIME ORANGES
amplify the noise 2024 - shine through
Known for her timeless yet shapeshifting sound, Alana infuses “Shine Through” with her trademark wit and humour. As a beloved figure in the Australian music scene, Alana has already made waves in 2024 with performances at various festivals and alongside legendary artists like Ross Wilson and Ben Lee.
scenstr premiere 2024 - square one
Australian singer-songwriter, Alana Wikinson's newest release 'Square One' spotlights life's cringey adolescent moments with a heartfelt swagger that'll transport you back to your own childhood.
air feature artist 2024 - dream big
Bringing her ray of positivity to the world Alana Wilkinson unveils ‘Dream Big’, the first glimpse into her upcoming debut LP.
Image by Tash Takes Photos
‘IT WAS AN INCREDIBLY MOVING MOMENT THAT MADE THIS REVIEWER WEEP’ - Katie Purvis, JOY FM
Northcote Social Club, 11 July 2023
Concert review by Katie Purvis
I last saw singer-songwriter Alana Wilkinson play live at the Port Fairy Folk Festival in early 2020. Her brand of cheerful, heartfelt acoustic folk was well received by the audience and I was looking forward to her receiving a lot more recognition over the next few years.
Then Alana moved from Melbourne to the Byron Bay hinterland and a few little things happened: the COVID-19 pandemic, an extremely premature baby (her son Raff was born at 24 weeks), and extreme floods in northern New South Wales that required Alana and her small family to be airlifted to safety.
With all that, it’s not surprising that we haven’t seen Alana performing live for a few years. She made a triumphant return last week at the Northcote Social Club, with Melbourne music fans packing out the downstairs room on a cold Tuesday night. It’s clear that many people love this warm, honest and very real performer.
On a stage decorated with her trademark motif of sunflowers, Alana sang beautifully and played guitar and ukulele most dextrously, accompanied by double bass player Isaac Gunnoo and backing vocalists Angus Robb and Pia Nesvara. They took the audience from laughter to tears over two sets of mostly new songs and a few classic oldies.
The new tunes included several written during the three months Raff was in the NICU. ‘Charlie’s Song’, performed by just Alana and her ukulele with the band off-stage, was about a baby who sadly didn’t survive his time in hospital. Alana asked us not to applaud after the song, but instead to be silent and hold in our hearts that mother and baby and anyone else who might be experiencing profound grief. It was an incredibly moving moment that made this reviewer weep.
Alana is also very funny on stage and at times had the audience in stitches. Of particular note here was her song ‘With a Boob Out’, which starts off being about her ‘baby brain’ as an exhausted new mother and then turns into a gorgeous ode to the love and joy she now feels at having a healthy toddler.
Throughout the gig Alana created a wonderful feeling of joy and empathy in the room. It’s easy to see why people absolutely adore her. I can’t wait to see her perform again when her new music is released later in the year.
Long-time JOY FM presenter Katie Purvis plays folk, roots, acoustic and pop music to nourish your soul on Miss Chatelaine. The tracks on Katies playlist are mostly new, mostly Australian, mostly independent releases and often by LGBTIQA+ artists.
‘POWER OF LOVE & MUSIC HELPED PREMATURE BABY RAFFERTY AT HIS MOST VULNERABLE’ - ABC
As musician Alana Wilkinson cuddled and sang to her premature baby son in hospital, the machines he was hooked up to showed his tiny heart responding to her music – and touch.
Rafferty Thomas Robb was born 16 weeks early at the Mater Mothers' Hospital in Brisbane last October. He was among the smallest babies delivered there in 2021.
On the eve of his birth, mum Alana and dad Angus Robb were told babies born at 24 weeks' gestation had about a 60 per cent chance of survival.
MEET ALANA WILKINSON AND HER TOUCHING NEW SINGLE, PARTNER IN CRIME
After warming the hearts of many with her light vocals and emotive lyrics, Alana Wilkinson’s latest release is sure to be embraced with open arms.
Contemporary folk singer-songwriter Alana Wilkinson is making falling in love with her sound so natural. Sprouting from Melbourne, she’s the flower-child we didn’t know we needed. After marking her spot in the folk field with her debut single, Closer and being lucky enough to tour Australia’s major festivals (Nannup Festival, Blue Mountains Festival, Woodford Folk Festival) with folk music royalty, Wilkinson is definitely creating a name for herself.
Photo credit - Tash Takes Photos