The McMenamins are a brother and sister duo, drawing on alt country and folk influences, using honeyed vocal harmonies with mandolin and violin driven instrumentals to deliver original acoustic music.
Their unique style ranges from storytelling within intimate and sensitive soundscapes to high energy folk which delights audiences time after time.
After an overwhelming response from audiences The McMenamins have toured the US twice in the last 18 months. In Sept/Oct 2011 they played 3 weeks of shows in Oregon, Texas and Tennessee. Feb / March 2012 saw them perform an Official Showcase in Memphis at the Folk Alliance International Conference followed by a week of shows in Austin Texas, including College Shows, Major TV appearances, Radio and University Events.
2012 turned out to be a very busy and successful year for the duo, after returning from the US they performed at The Queensland Music Awards Ceremony, Showcased at Bigsound in Brisbane, and were shortly after announced for the Byron Bay Bluesfest in 2013 and went on to secure funding support from State and Federal Government to Record and Tour their 4th Album 'Sand and Stone'.
In 2011 The McMenamins song "Umbrella Town" won a Queensland Music Award, their Second Award and Fifth Nomination to date and they also won the "Folk & Country" category of the OzSong International Songwriting Competition with their song "63 Years". Gaining some great reviews and widespread airplay on ABC Radio and community stations with their third album 'Long Time Gone', their two tours of the US, and a string of major Australian festival and tour dates in 2010 - 11.
It was back in 2005 when they recorded their debut album and wrapped up their first national tour opening for Missy Higgins which entered them into the consciousness of the masses performing to crowds of thousands in large outdoor stadiums. The duo then went on to be shortlisted in the 2006 APRA Professional Development Awards (PDAs). The film clip of the single 'How It Is' was in the top 5 video finalists of the 2006 Music OZ Awards and the same song went on to win a 2007 Q Song Award and was in the finals of the 2007 IMAs (Independent Music Awards).
In 2007 The McMenamins toured Queensland opening for The Waifs and their song 'The Last Rain' was shortlisted in the 2009 American Blackbird Song Contest. Previous to their recent Americana and Folk Alliance Showcases The McMenamins have performed showcases at Canadian Music Week in Toronto and Big Sound in Brisbane.
Their festival dates include Woodford Folk Festival, Tamworth Country Music Festival, Nannup Music Festival, Festival of the Sun, Peats Ridge, Tablelands Folk Festival, Sydney's The Great Escape and most recently Byron Bay Bluesfest.
They have supported the likes of Angus & Julia Stone, The Waifs, Missy Higgins, Ray LaMontagne, Jason Mraz, Toni Childs, Lior, Bertie Blackman, Kate Miller-Heidke, Jez, Ash Grunwald, Jen Cloher, Deborah Conway, & Serena Ryder.
Their four releases are out through MGM distribution, and available on itunes. Tracks from The McMenamins new album Sand and Stone are currently receiving high rotation on many community and ABC stations around the country and they have plans for more touring in 2013 - 14 in Australia and America where they have secured a US Booking Agent, Representation and physical distribution.
