Held monthly, In The Round at The Vanguard is inspired by the sessions at the Bluebird Cafe in Nashville, among many others, where four singer/songwriters get together to play their own songs, each others, maybe some covers - and tell a few stories along the way. Expect a once-in-a-lifetime collaboration with an incredible evening of music across two sets.

The event takes place with a unique set up; artists taking the stage on the floor of the venue, with guests invited to sit around the songwriters as they perform - just like they do at the Bluebird in Nashville!

The 21st instalment of In The Round at The Vanguard will feature the night's curator Frank Sultana, Hollie Matthew, Darby, Chris Neto.

FRANK SULTANA

Currently touring his new album "The Blues Diaries" Frank Sultana tells stories of loss, betrayal and revenge, set in imaginary backwater towns inhabited by strangely likeable yet shady characters. He delivers his songs with dark hypnotic guitar parts that are carefully layered with his raw whiskey drenched voice. Bringing to life the memories of a childhood often spent around the turntable listening to his parent’s rhythm and blues records, mixing it with his own musical discoveries, the resulting ‘modern blues sound’ is a reverent, yet original and deeply personal one.  
 
"...no one can take away Frank's uncanny ability to make you feel that desire to stop and listen to what he is saying." - J. Whitaker, 272 Records.

HOLLIE MATTHEW

Wretched blues and sad country. Emotive and dynamic vocals married to minor blues scales with a dark alt folk bent.
Inspired by the likes of Yeats, Mary Oliver, Bukowski, Gillian Welch, Pj Harvey, Janis Joplin,Timber Timbre and 80's power ballads.
Currently gigging in and around Sydney as a duo accompanied by Nick Perry on electric guitar.
Also, recording and performing in Sydney with Swamp Fat Jangles and Echo Deer on drums and vocals.

DARBY 

What is emerging from your speakers in a 1978 classic chrome Mercedes? Sydney warped folk-rocker Darby is gearing up to announce the release of her debut album "Fever Street" showcasing soulful nostalgia and intricate composition, following the success of the record's first single "Bayview" with "Pink Butter Cream" the third major release it's an ode to an extravagant piece of French pastry and a man of similar notions...
Some traveling, some slightly impoverished living and some genuine obsession with songwriting has seen performances in and around the inner west of Sydney, the group's intriguing blend of electric folk/ alt- country and soul with textural three part harmony garnered attention, as a trio with long time pals and collaborators Matt Dewar and Jack Isackson. Darby is a hyper-creative- prolific songwriter and producer, animator and visual artist, see for yourself!

CHRIS NETO

It may be apparent on first listen that Chris Neto has a vast array of musical influences, from the roaring 20’s jazz, to classical scores composed for film and video games. As a songwriter and performing artist, Neto is often compared to an unlikely coupling of Bob Dylan and Jeff Buckley. Neto’s honest, emotionally-driven music relaxes the body and soothes the soul in a world of ever-growing pace. With "Bitter Beer, Sweet Wine" just launched via Grid Series and "When You Found Me" recorded at Everland Studios imminent, get ready to surrender.