Electronic Press Kit

Bella Frankie Bio

Bella Frankie are duo Ajita Cannings and Michael Turner (ARIA winners Wild Pumpkins at Midnight), who hail from the mud flats of Bundjalung Country Northern NSW. Joined by baroque cellist Tash Kraemer (The Australian Haydn Ensemble) and virtuoso harmonica player Steve Gilbert, they weave folk-yarns with whispering auto-harp, three-part harmonies, guitar and ukulele.  Their 2022 debut album “Falling in the River” was recorded on Flinders Island in the Bass Strait and their second album "Cut-folk Fables" was released on October 2023 and both have received numerous ABC and local radio airplays. This fresh emerging folk group share stories of love, flood, community and their black dogs, Bella and Frankie.

 

Music and videos

Quotes

from the press

–BERNARD FANNING for Rumi- “Songs of praise are a rare commodity. Especially believable well constructed ones. Rumi is one of those tunes that keeps taking you by surprise. It shifts through a few stages as it goes on. Indian/Celtic melodies open a ballad that tells a beautiful story of an observed relationship between a child and his parents. Lush string parts and vocal harmonies give way to a gear shift in the later verses that picks up the pace and carries the story with it. It all comes back to a beautiful soft landing at the end. Class!”

–CHRISTINE ANU – ABC Radio for Rumi  -“Like driving down an old country road to house with all your friends, beautiful"

–DAVID DIXON – Dixon’s Records, Melbourne
for Annie & Mary  -“This song is such a surprise and an incredible tribute to the historic Flinders Island sisters Annie and Mary Eden. We are very proud here in Palana to have this original song written and recorded by Bella Frankie during their stay in Eden’s Cottage. I just love it. Can’t wait for the vinyl!”

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In The Media

8 Dec 2022 Pitch Perfect Indie Album Review Click Here

1 Sept 2022 ABC North Coast interview with Michael Clarke.
Falling in the River album launch promo and live play ‘Underwater Home’ and ‘Annie and Mary’. 

8 July 2022 River FM interview with Chris Reagan The Sun release Click Here

13 June 2022 Music News.com Click Here

27 May 2022 Bay FM Northern Rivers Music Box Interview with Ange Kent and Live play RUMI Click Here

20 May 2022 River FM interview with Chris Reagan Rumi release Click Here

7 May 2022 ANC Radio Evenings with Christine Anu, featured the newly released
RUMI as part of flood-impacted musicians special. Click Here