ABOUT ME
Intricate finger-style guitar and dreamy vocals reflect the deeply contemplative and evocative lyrics of Melbourne’s Ernest Aines.
A multi-award winning songwriter, noting over a decade of experience, Ernest’s uniquely pure and thoughtful sound has enchanted both fans and critics across the globe. He has just been announced as a Finalist for Artist of the Year by Folk Alliance Australia.
Ernest’s journey began with busking on the streets of Melbourne, and progressed to him gracing the stages of celebrated events like The Australian Open, The Melbourne Grand Prix, The Port Fairy Folk Festival, Rockhampton Riverfest, and Canberra’s Floriade Nightfest. He has appeared on stage at Ararat Live, The Palais Theatre, and Northern Arts Hotel, and his indie-folk styling and unique vocal delicacy has been compared to James Taylor, Jeff Buckley, Ray Lamontagne and Bon Iver.
In 2021, Ernest was selected for the Sounds Australia Folk Alliance International Showcase, and Global Music Match, achievements that would see his presence within modern folk grow exponentially in the months to follow.
He has since released five original singles from his highly-anticipated new album – a project years in the making. The single ‘Rigged Games’ spoke volumes on behalf of Ernest’s unfiltered, authentic approach to the art-form, with live performance clips depicting a compelling devotion to the heartache and desperation of the writing. Along with the single ‘So Far’, the new music has amassed thousands of streams online, and Ernest’s second single ‘Yellowstone’ earned high-rotation at ABC Country.
Ernest has taken home multiple awards for songwriting over the years, beginning with an Apollo Bay Festival Young Songwriter Competition win back in 2010. He has since noted finalist positions at the International Songwriting Competition (2013), the Melbourne Songwriting Competition (2016) and theAustralian Songwriting Awards (2021), along with another win in 2020 for the City of Melbourne Online Song Competition. 2020 also saw him earn the runner-up position in the Cygnet Folk Festival Song Awards.
Ernest’s commitment to captivating live audiences has evolved to unrivalled levels, thanks to his consistency and unwavering skill for the process. This year he has played at the huge St Kilda Festival, taken up the offer of the Folk Alliance International Official Showcase in Kansas City, USA, and was honoured to perform for the Library of Congress Archive. He also played live on ABC Art Works TV show (Sept 10th episode).
Ernest released his stunning Debut Album, "Spiral Bound", on the 14th September 2023. The following launch at the majestic Memo Music Hall, St Kilda, had the attentive audience mesmerised and demanding an encore.
UPCOMING ACTIVITY
2023
Upcoming:
1st Oct - Archies Creek Hotel, Album Release Tour
7th Oct - Odessa at Leavers Hotel, Album Release Tour
22nd Oct - Northcote Social Club, Album Release Tour
27-29 Oct - Dorrigo Folk & Bluegrass Festival
Jan 2024 - Official showcase at the Your Roots are Showing Conference, Ireland.
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CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
2023
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Jan - Newstead Live Festival (Vic)
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Feb - Folk Alliance International Official Showcase
- Library of Congress Archive Performance, Kansas City
- St Kilda Festival performance (Melbourne)
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Mar - Pink Floyd 50th Anniversary shows Melbourne & Sydney with orchestra + choir
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Apr - performed at Gasometer & The Wesley Anne for album launches
- Signed with SquarelemonPR Management -
June/July/Aug - Extensive travel in Canada to play and connect with festivals
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Sept- release of debut album "Spiral Bound" and launch at Memo Music Hall, St Kilda
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Played live on ABC Art Works TV show
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Finalist Solo Artist of the Year, FAI
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Sponsorship by Pratley Guitars
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Interviews & play live to air on RRR and ABC radio.
2022
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Finalist in Folk Category Australia Song Association Awards (ASA)
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Release of song So Far mixed by Radiohead engineer Hugo Nicolson, release of singles Yellowstone & Rigged Games
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So Far + Yellowstone added to high rotation ABC Radio Country & Grassroots
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Port Fairy Folk Festival with band, Rockhampton River Fest, Floriade Nightfest with band (supporting THNDO), The Basin Music Festival
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Sponsored by Cajun maker, Mark Aspland
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Folk Alliance International Showcase *Virtual
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Regional gigs - played Ararat Live, Palais Theatre (Hepburn Springs), Northern Arts Hotel (Castlemaine), The Continental Hotel (Sorrento)
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Played over 50 gigs in and around Melbourne
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Played F1 Grand Prix & Aust Open tennis
2021
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Folk Alliance International Sounds Aust. Spotlight Showcase *Virtual
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Folk Unlocked Sounds Australia FAI Private Showcase *Virtual
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Sponsored by Wild Dogs - Stomp Box
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Global Music Match – selected and mentored by Sounds Australia & Lisa Shwartz (US team coach)
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Isolaid Online Festival
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Winner, City of Melbourne Song Competition (Heartwood)
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During lockdown, live streaming gigs regularly on Instagram, “The Honesty Sessions” /collaborations to share streaming gigs, such as Iso Sessions. Over 20 live streaming gigs.
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Runner up – Cygnet Festival Song Competition (Rivermouth)
2019
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EP “Already Found” release
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​Westernport Festival, supporting The Badloves
2018
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City Square Festival, Melbourne, supporting The Sunny Boys
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Teaching songwriting in Brazil for the Locals Matter festival
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Sponsored by Melbourne’s Ian Yates handmade guitars.
2017/18
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Teaching guitar en masse to Flemington kids to add music to their lives
2013 -2016
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Travelled extensively busking in New Zealand, Berlin, Vancouver, Montreal, and Tokyo.
2015
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Nominated for Melbourne’s Best Busker Competition
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Folk, Rhythm & Life Festival
2013 -2010
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Melbourne Songwriter Competition finalist
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Mentorship with the Victorian Arts Council's “Push" campaign
"Rivermouth" on the of Jmag cover compilation (July) -
Finalist in the International Singer/Songwriter Awards
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2010 – Winner Apollo Bay Young Performer Award