Mark Spence (Royal Chant), Sam Newton, Charlotte Rose and Ess-Em @ The Townie

Mark Spence (Royal Chant)

8PM

indie, rock, Folk

(Port Macquarie, nsw)

I can't tell you...but I can play it for you.

14 years. 9 albums. Royal Chant get around. Royal Chant (often abbreviated as RC) is an Australian indie rock band formed in 2009 in the small coastal town of Port Macquarie. The band has made frequent personnel changes but has always maintained the presence of founder and principal songwriter & singer/guitarist Mark Spence. Taking his initial songwriting cues from Bob Dylan, Lou Reed, Robert Pollard, Shane MacGowan, & Michael Stipe, Royal Chant's extensive songbook contains trace elements of Sonic Youth, GBV, the early proto-punk of Idlewild, countless anonymous B-sides from one-hit-wonders, and anything with heart, a good melody, and plenty of overdriven kick, all thrown together over the years into a fuzz-box blender and fused with a blue-collar work ethic, good manners, and an odd penchant for trying their best to be polite and on time.

The current RC line-up consists of Mark on guitar/baritone guitar & vocals and Wade Mobbs behind the drums, with guitarist and multi-instrumentalist James Carthew remaining a contributing member of the band both on record and on stage despite living in Ann Arbour, Michigan in the U-S-of-A. The band is hard at work finding the perfect fuzz tone for their 10th studio LP, "Be Your Own Boss", set for launch at the end of 2023.

Mark's doing a rare solo set this time!

Sam Newton

8PM

folk, country, Americana

(Sydney, nsw)

Melodies that resonate, lyrics that linger

Sydney-based singer-songwriter Sam Newton has honed his craft through years of dedication, combining words and melody with raw and poetic honesty. With three albums under his belt (Set in Stone, Violet Road, Stare Into The Dark) and over a decade of performing experience, Sam has become a respected figure in the Australian music scene.

Since the release of his self-titled EP in 2011, Sam has showcased his talents at numerous festivals and venues across the country. From intimate bars to bustling pubs, and from renowned festivals like Dashville Skyline and Tamworth Country Music Festival to events like the Bendigo Blues and Roots Festival and Newtown Festival, Sam has left his mark on stages big and small.

Charlotte Rose

8PM

folk, country

(Sydney, nsw)

Versatile songbird and storyteller Charlotte Rose is the Sydney music scene’s best kept secret.

A lifelong musician and performer, Charlotte has finely honed a rousing folk/roots/blues blend
which is all her own, borrowing elements from soul, jazz and country along the way.

Adverse to sitting still, Charlotte has done hundreds of performances since going professional in 2017, notably including
supporting Australian music legends Daryl Braithwaite, You Am I, Thirsty Merc and Brian Cadd (among others). Not just a skilled performer, Charlotte saw success in 2020 when her original song ‘(Watch Out) Boy’ was shortlisted by the ASA Australian Songwriting Contest. The song was released that year as a single from the debut EP from her folk/country trio, The
Fallen Robins, who saw back-to-back sold-out shows at Sydney’s iconic Camelot Lounge, recognition from triple j, and high rotation on community and regional NSW radio. With the band about to take a six-month hiatus, Charlotte is getting ready to make her first solo release.

Ess-Em

8PM

folk, punk

(Sydney, nsw)

"complicated, hilarious, boisterous, bonkers - best head wound you'll ever have"- Underground Stage

𝐄𝐬𝐬-𝐄𝐦 are a five piece punk/rock/folk band who have been a staple of Sydney's music scene since their formation in 2014. They have embarked on several national tours and supported the likes of Joey Cape, A Wilhelm Scream, Hard-Ons, The Porkers, and Frenzal Rhomb.

For this show we've got SM and Dave Berry doing a piano & trombone duo.