Charm of Finches are an Australian duo consisting of Mabel and Ivy Windred-Wornes, who are sisters. The duo say "We write contemporary folk songs inspired by our personal experiences of love, grief and nature. We like to describe our music as contemporary chamber folk."[2]

Charm of Finches
Charm of Finches live at Nannup Music Festival WA
Background information
OriginMelbourne, Victoria Australia[1]
GenresFolk music[1]
Years active2014 (2014)–present (present)
LabelsAntiFragile Music (2021+)
Members
  • Mabel Windred-Wornes
  • Ivy Windred-Wornes
Websitecharmoffinchesband.com

Background edit

Mabel and Ivy Windred-Wornes grew up in the Melbourne suburb of Northcote. As kids they listened to a lot of folk music around the house such as Americana and Appalachian mountain music as well as English and Celtic folk tunes. At the ages of eight and eleven, they busked outside of the local vegetable shop and played songs by First Aid Kit.[2]

They went to Steiner School and took up learning stringed instruments (violin and cello), when they were eight years old. Mabel later taught herself how to play guitar and they started writing songs together.[2]

Musical career edit

In 2014, at ages eleven and fourteen, the duo made their debut EP as part of a school project. Their friend Michael Johnson heard the songs and offered to record them in his home studio with Evripedes Evripidou and it became Home.[2][3] In 2015, they won the Darebin Music Feast Songwriters’ Award.[4]

In July 2016, the duo released their debut album, which was praised by Paul Gough of Radio National's Inside Sleeve program as "stunning new folk".[4]

In 2019, they released their second studio album, Your Company.[5]

At the start of 2020 they showcased at the Folk Alliance International Conference in New Orleans, US. They were one of 96 artists selected worldwide to participate in the first Global Music Match.[1] Their album Your Company won Folk/Singer-Songwriter at the Independent Music Awards of 2020.[6]

In January 2021, it was announced that they duo had signed to New York label AntiFragile.[7] AntiFragile's Tom Sarig said "I'm overjoyed to have signed Charm of Finches to AntiFragile Music, and we are so looking forward to releasing their next album in 2021."[7]

In August 2021, they released "Canyon", the lead single from their third studio album, Wonderful Oblivion, released on 22 October 2021.[5]

Their fourth studio album, Marlinchen in the Snow was releaseed in April 2024.[8]

Discography edit

Albums edit

List of studio albums, with Australian chart positions
Title Album details Peak chart positions
AUS
Staring at the Starry Ceiling
  • Released: 29 July 2016[9]
  • Label: Charm of Finches
  • Format: CD, digital
Your Company
  • Released: 29 November 2019[10]
  • Label: Conversations With Trees (CWT002)
  • Format: CD, digital
[A]
Wonderful Oblivion
  • Released: 22 October 2021[12]
  • Label: AntiFragile Music (192641826177)
  • Format: CD, digital
[B]
Marlinchen in the Snow
  • Released: 19 April 2024[8]
  • Label: Spunk Records
  • Format: CD, digital
TBA

Extended plays edit

List of EPs, with Australian chart positions
Title EP details Peak chart positions
AUS
Home
  • Released: August 2014[14]
  • Label: Charm of Finches
  • Format: CD, DD

Notes

  1. ^ Your Company did not enter the ARIA top 100 Album chart, but peaked at number 6 on the 100% Australian Independent Albums Chart.[11]
  2. ^ Wonderful Oblivion did not enter the ARIA top 50 Album chart, but peaked at number 18 on the ARIA Australian Artist Album Chart[13]

Awards and nominations edit

Australian Music Prize edit

The Australian Music Prize (the AMP) is an annual award of $30,000 given to an Australian band or solo artist in recognition of the merit of an album released during the year of award. The commenced in 2005.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2020 Your Company Australian Music Prize Longlisted [7]

Independent Music Awards edit

The Independent Music Awards is a global community of indie artists, industry influencers and engaged fan. The awards commenced in 2002.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2020 Your Company Folk/Singer-Songwriter (album) Won [15][6]
"Fish in the Sea" Folk/Singer-Songwriter (song) Nominated

Music Victoria Awards edit

The Music Victoria Awards, are an annual awards night celebrating Victorian music. The commenced in 2005.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2020 Your Company Best Folk or Roots Album Nominated [16]
2021 Charm of Finches Best Folk Act Won [17][18]
2022 Charm of Finches Best Folk Work Nominated [19][20]

National Live Music Awards edit

The National Live Music Awards (NLMAs) commenced in 2016 to recognise contributions to the live music industry in Australia.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2023 Charm of Finches Best Folk Act Nominated [21][22]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c "ARTIST Charm of Finches MELBOURNE, VIC". Triple J. 16 May 2021. Retrieved 27 October 2021.
  2. ^ a b c d "Charm of Finches Band - Ivy and Mabel Windred". theartiststory.com.au. Retrieved 27 October 2021.
  3. ^ "Charm of Finches to perform at National Folk Festival". Canberra Times. 30 March 2017. Retrieved 27 October 2021.
  4. ^ a b "FOLK THAT FITS CHARM OF FINCHES". 23 May 2017. Retrieved 27 October 2021.
  5. ^ a b "Charm of Finches Premiere New Single "Canyon"". Rhythms. 12 August 2021. Retrieved 27 October 2021.
  6. ^ a b "The 18th Independent Music Awards Winners". independentmusicawards.com. 2020. Retrieved 9 October 2020.
  7. ^ a b c "Charm of Finches signs to NYC label AntiFragile Music". The Music Network. 11 January 2021. Retrieved 27 October 2021.
  8. ^ a b "LISTEN: "Clean Cut" by Charm of Finches". Amplify the Noise. 2 February 2024. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
  9. ^ "Staring at the Starry Ceiling by Charm of Finches on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved 27 October 2021.
  10. ^ "Your Company by Charm of Finches on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved 27 October 2021.
  11. ^ "100% Independent Albums – 11 May 2020". Australian Independent Record Labels Association. 11 May 2020. Retrieved 27 October 2021.
  12. ^ "Wonderful Oblivion by Charm of Finches on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved 27 October 2021.
  13. ^ "ARIA Australian Artist Album" (PDF). ARIA. 1 November 2021. Retrieved 30 October 2021.
  14. ^ "Home by Charm of Finches on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved 27 October 2021.
  15. ^ "The 18th Independent Music Awards Nominees". independentmusicawards.com. 2020. Retrieved 9 October 2020.
  16. ^ "Industry Awards Winners And Hall Of Fame Inductees Revealed + 2020 Music Victoria Awards Nominees Announced With Public Voting Now Open!". Music Victoria. 9 October 2020. Retrieved 9 October 2020.
  17. ^ "Music Victoria Awards Reveals Line-up And Nominees for 2021". Noise11. 11 November 2021. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  18. ^ "Music Victoria Awards 2021 Winners". scenestr.com.au. 9 December 2021. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
  19. ^ "Music Victoria Awards 2022 Nominees for Industry-Voted Categories Announced". Music Victoria. 27 October 2022. Archived from the original on 27 October 2022. Retrieved 29 October 2022.
  20. ^ "Music Victoria Awards 2022 Winners". Scenestr. 13 December 2022. Retrieved 15 December 2022.
  21. ^ "Nominees Announced For The 2023 National Live Music Awards". The Music. 5 September 2023. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
  22. ^ "Genesis Owusu And Amyl & The Sniffers Win Big At The 2023 National Live Music Awards". The Music. 11 October 2023. Retrieved 12 October 2023.