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THE HUMBUCKIN' PICKUPS are coming to the TSV Folk Club alongside the incredibly talented Kel Nolan & Jane Barnes!The Humbuckers are a festival-hardened, crowd-winning acoustic duo delivering a rich blend of folk, country, and roots with heart, humour, and razor-sharp storytelling. Featuring Ewan Cloonan (songwriter, vocals, guitar, banjo, harmonica) and Mahney Cain (vocals, double bass, bones), the pair have become favourites on stages from Woodford to Tamworth, captivating audiences with their seamless vocal harmonies, driving rhythms, and magnetic stage presence.
Formed in 2013 as an outlet for Cloonan’s original songwriting, The Humbuckin’ Pickups have grown into one of Australia’s standout roots acts. Their music—often described as “folk-drenched roots”—draws deeply on lived experience, painting vivid portraits of rural and regional life while balancing heartfelt emotion with sharp-witted charm. Their latest single, “How the Other Half Live,” produced by Shane Nicholson, showcases this approach, tackling contemporary social issues through powerful narrative songwriting and earning national airplay along with a debut in the AMRAP Regional Top 10.
Both members bring a wealth of experience to the stage. Ewan’s musical journey began at folk festivals like Port Fairy, shaping his passion for storytelling and leading to award-winning song-writing recognition at Maldon Folk Festival. Mahney, a seasoned performer and former frontwoman of The Hillbilly Goats, spent two decades at the forefront of Australia’s folk and country scene, earning multiple accolades including Golden Guitar nominations and Australian Folk Band of the Year (2022). Together, their combined histories create a dynamic synergy that is both polished and deeply authentic.
With a fourth studio album on the horizon, international touring plans across New Zealand, the United States, and Japan, and a growing reputation as one of Australia’s most compelling live acts, The Humbuckin’ Pickups are hitting their stride—and taking their stories with them around the world.
THEY'RE in TOWNSVILLE for 1 SHOW ONLY!!! ......
... Joined by KEL & JANE ...
Kel has been playing guitar since childhood and spent years as a session player at the legendary Enrec and Hadley Studios in Tamworth. His talent has seen him tour with some of Australia’s biggest country names — Brian Young, Slim Dusty, John Williamson, Kate Ballantyne, Jane Saunders, Chad Morgan — and international stars like Jett Williams and Charlie Landsborough. He’s also a proud member of the iconic Sons of the Soil band.
Jane grew up in Tasmania in a wonderfully musical family, surrounded by everything from musical theatre and opera to rock and country. Since moving to North Queensland in 1991, she’s been deeply involved in the country music festival scene — mentoring young artists and judging competitions since the age of 21.
Kel and Jane joined forces around two years ago and have played festivals from Tamworth and Charters Towers to Capella and are currently writing original material to record later this year.
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Event Venue
Herbert Hotel, 102-108 Sturt St, Townsville City QLD 4810, Australia, Townsville
Tickets
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