GRace Barbé

Multi award-winning Grace Barbé hails from the sunburnt Indian Ocean islands of the Seychelles, where a colourful history of slavery, pirates, coups d’etat and coconuts have produced a unique Kreol rhythm, language and culture.

Drawing from the diverse culture of the islands, Grace’s music fuses the tropical rhythms and dances of the slaves with psychedelic rock, afrobeat, reggae and pop. In performance Grace’s trio conjures a bewilderingly huge sound -Barbé sings over her own complex polyrhythmic bass lines to Mauritian drummer Hardy Perrine’s authentic island grooves while guitarist Jamie Searle adds a dense layer of Afro-guitar sorcery.

Grace has been enticing audiences to get up and shake their coconuts since the release of her debut album Kreol Daughter in 2008, with appearances all over India, East Africa and the Indian Ocean, as well as at Australia’s leading music festivals, including WOMADelaide, WOMAD New Zealand, Byron Bay Bluesfest and Woodford Folk Festival.

Amongst the numerous accolades under her belt, are an ARIA nomination for the third LP FANM:WOMAN, and 11 consecutive WAM awards for & “Best World Act”. Grace recently joined Australia’s iconic act The Cat Empire on bass!

Get ready to shake your coconuts!