2024 has already been a massive year for Alana Wilkinson. She earned standing ovations at Woodford Folk Festival, was named the top act at the Illawarra Folk Festival, took her music to the United States for the Folk Alliance International, and toured the country with Ross Wilson and Scotland’s Ryan Young. And all of this came before she released her debut album. Today we get that recording, Half Time Oranges, a collection of songs that can best be described as the sonic equivalent of a warm hug.
The songs capture beautifully ordinary moments, the kind that add up to create a rich, full life. Many explore motherhood, whether she’s hilariously recounting her brain fog in “With My Boob Out” or encouraging her offspring to aim for the stars in the intimate closer “Dream Big.” “Charlie’s Song” is a gorgeous lullaby for the baby she breastfed between takes. We meet other key characters in her life too, her fabulous friend Jack in “Ultraviolet,” her late grandmother in “Shine Through,” the loves that worked out and the ones that didn’t. She brings them to life through her personal lyrics, which really stand out against her stripped-back melodies.
I love the simplicity of this recording. There are no bells and whistles, no artifice, just lovely little songs that are good for the soul.
Half Time Oranges is out now. Alana will kick off her album tour tomorrow.
13 September 2024 – Kulchajam, Cavanbah/Byron Bay
15 September 2024 – Junk Bar, Meeanjin/Brisbane
19 September 2024 – No.5 Church, Baligin/Bellingen
22 September 2024 – Ecovillage Town Hall, Darkinjung Country/Narara
26 September 2024 – Smith’s Alternative, Ngambri/Canberra
6 October 2024 – The Shed Theatre, Bunurong Country/Main Ridge
26 October 2024 – Sapphire City Festival, Kamilaroi Country/Inverell
1-3 September 2024 – Maldon Folk Festival, Liarga Balug Country/Maldon
17 November 2024 – Hybrid Warehouse, Walyalup/Fremantle
Main photo credit: Jack Fenby, edited by Claudia Sangiorgi Dalimore