Rising Naarm/Melbourne-based folk artist Bec Sykes has been carving out her corner of the Australian music landscape with her songwriting prowess, striking voice and captivating stage presence.
Bec will be visiting the Taproom at Shedshaker Brewing on Sunday August 9 for a matinee show as part of her first solo tour of the eastern states.
The magnetism of her live performance is as palpable when performing stripped back on the iconic Melbourne Recital Centre stage as it is with her full band at lauded sticky carpet venues; performances that are grounded with a refinement and growth in confidence that mirrors the deeply personal evolution traced on her “beautifully intimate” (Atwood Magazine, US), Australian Music Prize-nominated debut album Pepperpot Magic (2024).
Released alongside lead single ‘Last to Know’ – which has since had more than 1.3 million streams on Spotify alone – Pepperpot Magic saw Sykes reclaim her power after leaving behind her Christian upbringing and a lonely relationship. Its arrangements are meticulous yet understated, spanning the minimalist to textural, and lay the foundation for Sykes’ voice to work its spellbinding power.
After her breathtaking debut single ‘Edithvale’ led her to win iconic Melbourne record label Pieater’s (Maple Glider, Big Scary) ‘Pie School’ competition and the Josh Pyke Partnership in 2020, Bec Sykes toured nationally with Josh Pyke and has since supported Sarah Blasko, Merpire, Telenova, Jem Cassar-Daley, Mia Wray, Teenage Dads, Didirri and Katy Steele.
Pepperpot Magic has received acclaim and praise from triple j, Double J, triple j Unearthed, ABC News Breakfast, ARIA The Future of Music, frankie magazine, Rolling Stone and many others.
Bec told the Mail she can’t wait to return to Castlemaine with her solo show after appearing at the Theatre Royal in support of Didirri a couple of years ago.
“As an independent artist it has felt really amazing to be able to step out of the organisation and promotion role and back into the role of musician and entertain a crowd. I’ve performed in the Simba Sessions in Kyneton, Melbourne, Brisbane, Sydney, Canberra and Angelsea and I’m scheduled to play in Bendigo this Saturday.
“At Castlemaine I will be supported by local artist Jules Sheldon and fellow Naarm artist Guthrie who regularly performs in Daylesford.
“I’ll be performing in a duo and will be joined on stage by Ronan Nicholson on pedal steel guitar,” she said.
Bec revealed that the album got its name Pepperpot Magic from a now-defunct fairy/occult shop that existed in 90s Boronia.
“My older sister used to work there and I remember visiting it as a child. The songs on the album are quite heavy and personal, but I am more playful by nature. I like the juxtapostion between the title and the music,” she said.
Whilst touring Bec has also been treating audiences to a sneak peek at some new material including ‘Convincing Ground’ which is quite different from her previous material and touches on her family’s connection with the Portland region on the Great Ocean Road, aboriginal history and decolonisation – an issue she is deeply passionate about.
After the whirlwind tour she aims to take some time and space to delve into writing and recording new material.
“I don’t really have a timeframe in mind. I will trust in the process,” she said.
The show will kick off at 4pm. Entry is free.