Those Folk With Kris Mizzi At Eudlo Hall

Eudlo

Live Gig Review
BY JAYDEM MARTIN

The story of Lawrence Menard and Clare Quinn reads like it was taken from a romance novel. Lawrence was born in Louisiana and raised in California, Clare from Queensland, but fate would have them meet each other at an Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2012. They fell in love and became a folk duo called Those Folk.

It's evident throughout the show that this is more than picking up a guitar, strumming a few chords and singing some words. It’s complex music, poetic lyrics and the husband-and-wife duo have put in time and hard work to craft gorgeous and personal pieces for a wonderful audience in an intimate setting.

There’s a moment during the night where Clare talks about Lawrence’s connection with instruments, how Lawrence is always saying that instruments have character and a story to tell. That along with Lawrence’s passion for collecting and restoring old instruments are reflective in the music they play.

They aren’t afraid to be honest and show their relationship on stage in a playful way, and I enjoyed the stories they told between each song while also sharing the meanings behind the music too. Those Folk manage to create songs that are deep, layered and explore multiple themes utilizing folk and incorporating other genres such as bluegrass and jazz.

Their love songs feel authentic and never cheesy, and when Clare is singing about her childhood home it transported me back to the house I grew up in, flooding me with all the positive memories.

Clare and Lawrence bring Kris Mizzi from Victoria with them for this show at Eudlo Hall, a stop on their Spring Halls Tour.
“A deceptively gentle storyteller, his songs, like a good book, resonate deeper and deeper with every listen. Simply beautiful.”
– Paul Samwell-Smith (Producer: Cat Stevens, Yardbirds, Carly Simon)

"Kris is the real deal - a singer/songwriter who sees us as we really are and shows us our community with a clarity that is rare. He'll have you laughing, teary and knowing that our tradition is alive and kicking!" - Judy Small (Australian Singer/Songwriter)

With a voice that is both strong and tender, Melbourne singer-songwriter Kris Mizzi has earned his place among Australia's most captivating folk artists. A masterful storyteller, Mizzi crafts songs that linger long after the final note, weaving beauty, truth, and vulnerability into every line. His live performances are a kaleidoscope of emotions—joyful, uplifting, spiritual, comedic, and deeply moving.

Accolades and Achievements:

Winner of the 2017 Troubadour Award and the 2021 Folk Alliance "Australian Solo Artist of the Year", Mizzi has become a standout voice in Australia’s folk music scene. His debut album, Some Other Morning (2019), solidified his reputation with festival anthems that have audiences on connecting with Mizzi's songs. Mizzi has recently been billed for 3 of Australias highest profile Music festivals (Port Fairy FF, Woodford FF and The National Folk Festival) and has been extremely well recieved across the country.

Snacks and Bar by Eudlo Hall as fundraiser for the Hall. Doors open 6pm. Tix at door or online.