There’s stomping feet and clapping hands, bombastic bass drum and resonator, mandolin and double bass, and soaring harmonies aplenty - the combinations are instantly recognisable as the music of Great Aunt.

Winners of the 2024 Folk Alliance Australia Artist of the Year (Duo) award, Great Aunt is a collaboration between songwriters Megan Bird (mandolin, resonator, acoustic guitar, vocals) and Chelsea Allen (double bass, vocals, percussion). Their music draws inspiration from the traditions of folk, bluegrass, and country music, with a gleeful nod to the pair’s diverse, individual careers in punk, jazz, soul, and rock.

The duo has delighted audiences at some of Australia’s finest music and arts festivals, including Woodford Folk Festival, Blue Mountains Music Festival, Yackandandah Folk Festival, and Deni Ute Muster, and toured extensively within the United States of America. They have shared stages with notable acts including Adeem the Artist (US), Joe Crookston (US), Vika & Linda Bull (AUS), The Weeping Willows (AUS), Sue Ray (AUS), Smith and Jones (AUS), Mary Flower (USA), Paisley Fields (USA), Wiley Gaby (USA), The Belle Miners (CAN), Kerryn Fields (NZ), and more.