Denmark Festival of Voice: Kalgan River product Matthew Bracknell of Echo Omen and his lunar compositions

Kalgan River product Matthew Bracknell will be performing at the Denmark Festival of Voice for the first time as an artist, though the musician has attended the festival as a guest for many years. Performing as Echo Omen, Bracknell fronts the band that has a rotating line-up, using a variety of local session musicians to explore different genres and make the most of Great Southern talents. Bracknell is now in the third year of his lunar composition sessions, in which he writes, records and produces a new song and associated music video every new Moon. “The Moon seemed like a nice natural cycle, giving me the perfect amount of time for new composition without rushing but gives you enough of a kick up the butt that I’m not dawdling or procrastinating,” he said. “Being down south you don’t have the blinding city lights obstructing the Moon so there’s maybe more of a yearning to connect back to nature when making art.” His previous collaborations have resulted in hip hop, jazz, gospel and indie tunes, which he compiled into two albums and two EPs. As well as working full-time as a greenkeeper, Bracknell managed to find time for a tour around WA and Tasmania and has recently been approached for more gigs in Perth, though admits he has a soft spot for performing at home. “I grew up in Kalgan, now live in Denmark and having attended as a punter for the last few years it’s very exciting to have a gig performing for (the Festival of Voice) on the horizon,” he said. “It’s such a wholesome crowd and I feel like they’ll be able to get on board with whatever spontaneous thing I decide to do. “There’s a lot of space in some of my songs for different artists in the band to have solos, and just give them room to let it rip.” Echo Omen will perform at the Green Pantry at 11am, on June 1, and at the Denmark Civic Centre at 11.30am, June 2. The Denmark Festival of Voice showcases the different ways a voice can be used with more than 380 artists performing in 56 acts over the three-day festival. Information on the festival is available on its website.