An Intimate Night Of Live Music And Storytelling Is Heading To Three Regional SA Towns This October
Live music is getting up close and personal in three regional SA towns this October, as Stories in Song brings an intimate night of music and storytelling to Renmark, Whyalla and Port Pirie.
Running from October 23 to 31, the second leg of Country Arts SA’s Soundworks tour features singer-songwriter Nathan May, violinist Julian Ferraretto and opening artist Katie Aspel.
The Story Behind The Songs
Arabana-Yawuru singer-songwriter Nathan May has been making music for most of his life.
Raised in Darwin, he started playing drums at church at just three years old before moving to Adelaide in 2012 to study at the Centre for Aboriginal Studies in Music.
His career has since taken him well beyond South Australia, including a European tour with the Pierce Brothers in 2024.
There’s also an unexpected name in his musical backstory.
As a 17-year-old in Darwin in 2011, Nathan had a chance encounter with then-US President Barack Obama, who asked him what he wanted to do when he finished school, but Nathan didn’t know.
Obama’s response, encouraging him to believe he could pursue whatever path he wanted, became a turning point. Nathan has since described those few words as having changed his life.
For Stories in Song, Nathan brings things much closer to home.
Through music and storytelling, he explores family, connection to Country, truth-telling, place, identity and belonging.
“Music has a way of bringing people together, starting conversations and making people feel seen,” Nathan says.
“Sometimes one performance can really stay with someone, especially in places where opportunities to experience live music aren’t always as frequent.
“People can expect a really honest and intimate night of music – there’ll be moments that feel reflective and emotional, but also warmth, connection and a few laughs along the way.”
Meet The Musicians
Joining Nathan is violinist and composer Julian Ferraretto, whose career has included performances at major international jazz festivals including Montreux and the North Sea Jazz Festival.
His work has also been heard through the Adelaide Festival, Sydney Opera House and Adelaide Symphony Orchestra.
Opening the three shows is Ngarrindjeri-Gunditjmara singer-songwriter Katie Aspel, who began writing songs as a teenager and draws on her own experiences, culture and connection in her music.
Keeping Live Music On The Regional Road
Behind Soundworks is a bigger issue facing musicians and regional audiences.
Country Arts SA executive programmer Sarah Knight says Soundworks started from a problem she kept hearing: touring contemporary music is getting harder for artists.
“Country Arts wanted to respond in a practical way – not a oneoff event, but a touring model that shares risk and allows artists to spend more time on the road,” she says.
“It brings original live music into local spaces and gives people the chance to experience it together, close to home.
“We know there is a strong link between arts experiences and wellbeing, and shared events like this help people feel connected in a simple, everyday way.
“Soundworks also focuses on supporting emerging to midcareer artists, particularly those from culturally diverse and First Nations backgrounds, who often face greater barriers to touring.”
The second leg of Soundworks: Stories in Song begins at Renmark’s Chaffey Theatre on October 23, before heading to Whyalla’s Middleback Arts Centre on October 30 and Port Pirie’s Northern Festival Centre on October 31.
SOUNDWORKS: STORIES IN SONG
Renmark
Friday, October 23, 7pm
Chaffey Theatre
Whyalla
Friday, October 30, 7pm
Middleback Arts Centre
Port Pirie
Saturday, October 31, 7pm
Northern Festival Centre
TICKETS
Tickets start from $9 for children, with adult, concession, senior, Under 30 and other ticket options available.
For more information and tickets, visit Country Arts SA.
There’s plenty happening across regional SA. Check out Greater SA’s What’s On for more events, markets, festivals, and live music.
