About this experience
POME is excited to announce the return of a Melbourne music institution: the Unpaved Songwriter Sessions. After an eight year hiatus, it's time to start breathing new life into Naarm/Melbourne's rich songwriting scene with artists new, emerging and established. Each week will feature four original artists performing in-the-round for an appreciative listening audience in the comfortable and inspiring setting of POME, Richmond.
Be sure to become a member to take full advantage of discounted entry and other offers.
AND if youre looking to become apart of this unique series of sessions, applications are open -
https://unpaved.com.au/artist-applications/
Lachlan Bryan
Lachlan Bryan, together with his band The Wildes, has built his reputation on storytelling. Over the past eight years they have released four records, toured Europe and the USA multiple times, shared stages with Americana and country heavyweights and picked up a string of awards, including the Golden Guitar for ‘alt country album of the year’ with their landmark release Black Coffee. Lachlan was a favourite of the original Unpaved Sessions and we can’t wait to have him back.
Joyce Prescher
Joyce Prescher is a Melbourne based singer-songwriter originally from the Netherlands. Slowly but steadily, Joyce has been making a name for herself in the Americana and folk scene.
With her carefully crafted lyrics, haunting melodies and rich velvety vocals she takes you back to days long gone. Her words are delivered with such honesty and melancholy, you cannot help but be roped in and left mesmerised.
Joyce Prescher recently released Sleep Now, the first single of her upcoming sophomore album, which is to be released in the second half of 2022.
In 2020 Joyce toured as part of a show called Keep the Circle Unbroken, a show curated by Delsinki. She features on the same titled album which was recorded live in July 2020 at the Memo Music Hall in St Kilda, between the two Melbourne lockdowns. On the tour she shared the stage with many Australian favourites, including Tim Rogers, Kylie Auldist, Mick Thomas, Debra Byrne, Sarah Carroll, Kerryn Fields and XANI.
In November 2021 she performed as part of three sold out shows paying tribute to the late Justin Townes Earle at the Brunswick Ballroom.
Joyce recently completed a regional tour as part of the ‘Sing a Song of Sixpence’ line up, with artists including Abby Dobson, Freya Josephine Hollick, Charm of Finches, Van Walker, Grim Fawkner and more.
Darcy Fox
Darcy Fox is a queer indie/pop artist with a passion for great melodies and raw, vulnerable lyrics. Writing about her experience as a queer woman, she's attracted a legion of fans that are drawn to her authenticity as a songwriter.
She started her career at the age of 15, moving swiftly from gigs in her hometown to festivals and stages across the world. She's supported some of Australia's favourite names - from The Pierce Brothers to Russell Morris and Jimmy Barnes - and headlined her own shows nationally.
After independently releasing 2 EP’S, an album and multiple singles, she's gearing up for her most honest release yet.
Whether she's playing with her band or using her loop pedal to create a one-woman-show, Darcy uses her natural charisma to enthrall any crowd.
Zac Alwyn
Zac Alwyn is a Singer/Songwriter with a calming and nostalgic tone. His music captures a warm, folk-inflected sound with a soothing vocal delivery expertly interacting with his deft and delicate acoustic guitar work. Drawing influence from classic 70s songwriters such as Neil Young, Joni Mitchell and James Taylor, Alwyn writes songs which are honest, reflective and touch on the highs and lows of relatable human emotion. His enchanting performance and charming onstage persona provide an intimate setting and cathartic release for audiences.
Bar and Beer Garden: 5pm
Unpaved Sessions: 8pm
$15 General Admission
$10 Members
$5 Student/Concession
Be sure to become a member to take full advantage of discounted entry and other offers.
You can look forward to announcements for show dates via subscribing Here!
Quotes from previous performers
“The Unpaved Sessions was a chance for songwriters to hang out and swap ideas and material. Spaces like this were vital in the earlier development of my songwriting and helped me to build an artistic community which continues to sustain me. Melbourne has such a rich vein of song writers and Unpaved provided a way for us to commune and learn from one another. I have no doubt that its return will help to re-strengthen and reconnect scenes that have been profoundly disrupted by Covid.”
- Liz Stringer
“So great to see the Unpaved Songwriter Sessions come back to life. These spaces are so important for songwriters to connect with one another, try out new material, hone our craft and deliver our masterpieces to a beautiful listening audience.”
- Kerryn Fields
“From the outset, the Unpaved sessions were an essential and vibrant part of Melbourne’s music fabric. Featuring artists of extremely high calibre alongside those beginning their journey with the craft, Unpaved provided a space in which songwriting culture was nurtured and thrived. I’m absolutely thrilled to see Unpaved return at a time when this city needs music more than ever before.”
- Ruth Hazleton
“The Unpaved sessions at The Old Bar remain legendary. They brought together Melbourne’s community of songwriters and fans in a way that’s rarely seen outside of Austin, Texas - and helped cement Melbourne’s position as one of the world’s great songwriting towns. The prospect of their return is a very exciting one for music lovers as we look to make up for the lost time of the past couple of years”
- Lachlan Bryan
“March 31, 2014, Unpaved Sessions number 64 at The Old Bar in Fitzroy. This was the GRAND FINALE session - two ‘In the Rounds’ with Mojo Juju, Larissa Tandy and yours truly followed by Liz Stringer, Van Walker and Jen Cloher. What a night! But that’s what it was like at any given Unpaved Sessions event. It was all about celebrating the songs and the wonderful,diverse community of songwriters we have in Melbourne. You could argue that it was the start of what we have today and what has continued to grow. To know that the Unpaved Sessions are coming back is the best news I have heard in along time."
- Bill Jackson