Ossa Music Prize-winning trio PALENCIA will undertake a five-concert statewide tour from Tuesday, delivering a set of fantasy love songs.
Amity Hutton, Emily Oates and Christian Palencia - Bachelor of Music students at the University of Tasmania's Conservatorium of Music - will perform songs from their debut album Westerly.
The fairytale folk album features PALENCIA's signature harmonies and intricate arrangements, telling the musical story of a lazy blacksmith who falls in love with an inventor trying to bottle lightning to create a new form of energy.
With enchanting folk melodies and a performance style that is both uplifting and immersive, PALENCIA will create an evening filled with wonder and connection across all regions of the state.
PALENCIA was awarded the 2026 Ossa Music Prize, valued at $14,500 including the fully funded tour, last month.
"Our music draws a lot of inspiration from place so we're very excited to see how the band is influenced by our travel around the state," said Ms Hutton, who is from Wynyard in Tasmania's North West.
"I'm also keen to bring this music back home to show my friends and family what I've been working on."
PALENCIA have been performing together for 18 months after forming at the Conservatorium. To coincide with the tour, they will launch Westerly on November 6 on Bandcamp.
"Each song is a chapter of a larger story with the intention of spreading awareness of neurodivergence, inclusion and culture," Ms Oates said.
The tour begins in Queenstown on Tuesday before shows in Burnie, Launceston, Swansea and Hobart.
"I'm preparing to write our next album, Southerly, which is inspired by my time in Tasmania," Mr Palencia said.
"This tour will give me an edge with actual lived experience to inform the songs so I'm elated at this opportunity."
The Ossa Prize is named after Tasmania's highest mountain peak and was established in 2018 by University alumnus Dr Rod Roberts and Mrs Cecile Roberts to help students pursue excellence in musicianship. The tour will include a performance in Queenstown in memory of Margaret Stoermer, thanks to support provided by her family.
Tickets are free but bookings essential as seating is limited: utas.edu.au/events
Westerly is available on Bandcamp on November 6 and other streaming platforms on November 27.
Tour dates
- Queenstown - Paragon Theatre, Tuesday 3 November, 6.00pm
- Burnie - Makers Workshop, Wednesday 4 November, 6.00pm
- Launceston - Annexe Theatre, University of Tasmania, Thursday 5 November, 6.00pm
- Swansea - Swansea Town Hall, Friday 6 November, 6.00pm
- Hobart - Ian Potter Recital Hall, The Hedberg, Monday 9 November, 6.00pm
Download images here. Image credit: Peter W. Allen
