Chloë & Jason Roweth
Second Class Wait Here
Words: Henry Lawson / Music: Christina Mimmocchi
The St Marks Sessions These recordings were made in January 2022 for our Patreon supporters. Three glorious summer days of recording sessions in our home town, Millthorpe NSW capturing the changing light in the old St Marks Church.
The Greenhand Rouseabout
Poem by Henry Lawson. Music arr. C & J Roweth inc. trad tunes Dick's Pig and The Shearer's Dream.
The St Marks Sessions recordings, January 2022.
“Jason and Chloe Roweth are without question two of our finest interpreters of Australian traditional folk music.
Their large body of work work stands as a testament to their expertise as musicians; incorporating electric, country, blues, rock, grunge, show and 'trad' sounds to explore Australia's rich traditions. Far from predictable in approach, they incorporate song, dance tunes and spoken word to showcase lesser-known songs alongside popular favourites; ultimately displaying their deep knowledge and respect for the material.”
- Ruth Hazleton
The last generation before the internet struck, the Roweths learned their trade directly from playing and speaking with the elder players of the Australian tradition, and exploring the older collected songs and tunes. These are the songs of the kitchen, the verandah, the shearers’ huts, the front bar of the local, and the campfire.
In performance the duo bring you powerful and delicate songs, room stopping recitations, and seamless combinations of new and old Australian material presented with the easy warmth of old-style bush entertainment.
They also specialise in themed presentations, forging unique combinations of music, folklore and social history.
The Roweths have enjoyed repeat bookings at music festivals around Australia. They have received recognition for both their music and poetry performance; their CD “A Voice That Was Still” was named the National Film and Sound Archive Folk Album of the Year at the National Folk Festival in 2010, and Jason was awarded the ABPA Golden Damper Traditional Reciter 2016, NFF Reciter of the Year in 2015, and NFF Yarnspinner of the Year in 2013.
Over their professional recording and performing career, Chloë & Jason Roweth have independently released over twenty-five CDs and two DVD packages since 1995.
Reviews
"Chloë and Jason interpret their material with a variety of musical styles and distinctive arrangements that enhance the music rather than getting in its way, always remaining true to the sources of the songs and their singers. With such a range of talents it’s no surprise that they have been a fixture at festivals, concerts and clubs around the country for many years and collected a few awards in the process. Along the way (including playing and recording with the band ‘Collector’) they have created a body of work that respects the tradition and keeps it alive with fresh interpretations and new creations in the same spirit."
- Graham Seal, Professor of Folklore, Curtin University
“Their music is refreshingly open, spacious like the rural countryside they sing about.“ - Rootsworld Web Site, USA
"Are there any two people who have enriched Australian traditional musical and poetic life more? I don’t think so; they are the best, and are pure gold in their integrity."
- Polly Garland
“Their talent and experience in the folk scene showed as they delivered a stunning performance - there is very little more to say about them that has not already been said in praise of their artistry…” - Greg Bull, Loaded Dog Folk Club
“..best night’s entertainment ever at the bottom pub.” - Tablelands Post