Hello there, we’re The Gracemakers and we’ll be performing songs from our new self-titled EP at Victoria’s biggest indigenous celebration, Yalukit Willam Ngargee – St Kilda Festival on February 4.

The Gracemakers are Tiffany Kommedal and Kent Morris. Tiffany, an artist and fashion specialist, was born in Norway and raised in New Zealand by her Tainui (Maori) mother. Kent, a descendant of the Barkindji people of North Western NSW, works with Koorie artists in custody and will also be curating the Confined 4 exhibition as part of the St Kilda Festival, on display at The Gallery, St Kilda Town Hall from February 8 to March 7. Confined 4 will unveil important artwork from Indigenous inmates from within Victoria’s correctional facilities.

The band’s music is a beautiful expression of sweetness and love aimed directly at the heart. They deliver a country tingled folk rock experience, with a unique resonance designed to grow and last. The Gracemakers will be performing alongside The Last Kinection, Bart Willoughby and Emma Donovan at the St Kilda Festival.

What’s your earliest memory of performing and who inspired you to start?

Tiff: 5 years old singing the television comercials to my family.

Kent: Making a cut out guitar from masonite, nails and wire at primary school and miming to AC/DC records in the loungeroom when no one was home.

You must answer this question honestly or we steal your rider. What and where was the first gig you went to?

Tiff: A-ha In Melbourne.

Kent: Split Enz at Festival Hall

‘Fess up. What records have you stolen from your parent’s record collection and why?

Tiff: KC and the Sunshine Band, Earth Wind and Fire, Fleetwood Mac and ELO. I couldn’t help myself.

Kent: Move along, there’s nothing to steal here.

What’s on heavy rotation on your iPod right now?

Tiff: Fleetwood Mac, Crosby Stills and Nash.

Kent: Koonibba Rock by Coloured Stone.

How do you find new music?

Tiff: Kent gets it all, he is continually bringing home cool records and CD’s He knows my musical taste.

Kent: Keeping my ears open to the ground.

Do you have any particular ritual before you go on stage, or even a lucky charm you take with you?

Tiff: I don’t really do any rituals as such however I always wear my patu (greenstone).

Kent: Black Russian, no milk.

If you could curate your own festival, where would it be, who would be on the bill, how many people would you let in and what features would it have (attractions/food/bars etc)?

Tiff: My ideal festival would run for a 3 days with 4 stages set up facing the centre. All bands would play at the same time jamming and adding to each other’s music.

Kent: Point Impossible. Dick Dale, The Atlantics, Jack Johnston, The Ravonettes, Kid Sam. 150 people. Surf flicks, bbq seafood and beer.

When you’re Rolling Stones Big, what are you going to request on your rider: don’t be shy. We want specifics!

Tiff: I’ll have what he’s having!

Kent: Sushi, sashimi, Coffin Bay oysters, Waiwera mineral water, Tasmanian blueberries, Genache dark chocolate and Coopers Stout.

Because it’s more fun to do things together, which living Australian artist would you most like to collaborate with? Tell us why?

Tiff: I would really love to work with Dan Sultan as he has an amazing voice and vibe. When I am singing along to his record our voices sound great together.

Kent – Goyte – maybe some of his genius and success would rub off, haha!

What is your band’s music the best soundtrack for?

Tiff: Travelling the open road. Arthouse Love stories.

Where we can see you play next, what releases do you have available and where can we get them? 

Melbourne duo, The Gracemakers, have been announced on the line-up of St Kilda Festival’s Yalukit Willam Ngaree (YWN), the indigenous arts and cultural festival, and will help kick off the nine-day festival, taking to the YWN main stage (O’Donnell Gardens) at 3.40pm on Saturday, Feb 4.

Their single, “Blanket”, is being serviced to community radio this week. Blanket, lifted from their four track, self-titled EP, is an impassioned song about friendship, unconditional love and the quest for personal freedom. Blanket and The Gracemakers EP are now available on iTunes.

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