ARIA Launches ‘In Conversation’ Series With The Wombats and Jack River
The Wombats and Jack River will get the conversation started for a new series of national events, presented by ARIA.
Announced Friday (May 27), “In Conversation” aims to connect the “biggest acts from around the globe” with the best from these parts for a deep-dive on-stage experience.
Britain’s The Wombats, which broke first and big in Australia, will go head-to-head with Jack River (real name Holly Rankin) at The Factory Theatre on June 14, with all proceeds on the night going to music industry charity Support Act.
The aim of the series “is to capitalise on international talent returning to Australia and couple them with some of our home-grown musicians as an alternative fan experience,” reads a statement.
“ARIA is determined to help find new and unique ways to bring Australian music back to the global stage after years of interruption,” comments Annabelle Herd, CEO of ARIA.
In Conversation is “a fantastic way to invite the biggest acts from around the globe into our home, and help share their knowledge and passion with generations of fans, artists and industry professionals.”
To get into the spirit, The Factory and other participating venues around the country will be decorated as a lounge room, for a homely atmosphere.
It won’t be the first time The Wombats and Jack River have joined forces. The Aussie pop artist “featured on one of the tracks from my Love Fame Tragedy record in 2020, and absolutely nailed it,” comments The Wombats’ singer and guitarist, Murph.
“It was so great working with her, so we are thrilled that she will be hosting the In Conversation event for such a great cause, with proceeds going to Support Act.”
A multiple ARIA, AIR and J Award nominee, Jack River adds: “Murph is one of the kindest people I’ve ever met, and one of the most talented songwriters in the world. I can’t wait to hear some stories from the road from him and the band and chat about the hell that was lockdown.”
Forming in Liverpool, England, The Wombats have five studio albums to their name, the most recent, Fix Yourself, Not the World, blasted to No. 2 on the ARIA Chart in January 2022.
The “In Conversation” session will take place during the band’s Australian tour in support of Fix Yourself, due to kick off June 5 at HBF Stadium in Hobart.
River’s debut full-length album, 2018’s Sugar Mountain, peaked at No. 11 on the ARIA Albums Chart. Her most recent multi-track solo release is the Stranger Heart EP, from 2020.
Her talents extend well-outside of pop music. During the Olympics in 2021, River’s impassioned call for Channel 7 and other massive consumer-facing businesses to do more to support Australian music went viral and was acted on. She’s also the driving force behind such festivals and initiatives as Electric Lady and Grow Your Own.
Tickets for the inaugural “In Conversation” can be found here.