Xani – violinist and singer/songwriter
Naarm/Melbourne, Australia
Xani Kolac is a violinist and singer/songwriter form Melbourne, Australia. 2022 marks the second time Xani has been selected to perform an official showcase as part of Folk Alliance International (albeit virtually).
In 2020, Xani released her debut album “From the Bottom of the Well” which received critical acclaim and radio play around Australia and internationally. Her album was a finalist in the Australian Folk Music Awards for “Best Contemporary Folk Album”. Xani was also nominated for “Outstanding Woman in Music” at the Music Victoria Awards.
Using live looping technology and effects pedals, Xani has created a style of playing and writing music that is uniquely her own. Inspired by the likes of Andrew Bird, Camille, St Vincent and Bjork, Xani’s music traverses folk, pop, instrumental jazz/improvisation and dance music. Her violin-playing is virtuosic as well as rock ’n’ roll, earning her roles in some of today’s most contemporary musicals, theatre shows and tours with contemporary artists. Xani was the violinist for the Melbourne and Brisbane seasons of “Come From Away”, the Melbourne season of “Girl from the North Country”, and has performed and toured with the likes of Jens Lekman, Kate Ceberano, Clare Bowditch, Jordie Lane and many others.
2022 will see Xani release new singles from her forthcoming sophomore album “An Inaccurate History of Electronic Dance Music” due out in March 2023. This album is inspired by the evolution of a style of music that has historically brought communities together to move and dance. The album is influenced by the progression from disco, Kraftwerk and techno, Acid House through to now, but all done with the violin front and centre. Xani’s vocals are charmingly subtle and her songwriting is full of witty metaphors and imagination. This album modernises Xani’s folk, classical, jazz and Celtic beginnings, and is full of innovation and a fresh approach to the world of music for violin.
Xani will embark on her first Northern American tour in early 2023 and beyond and is looking for opportunities to meet with other artists, festival directors and events organisers from this region.
Bookings: amy@iheardjango.com
xanikolac.com