Women of Soul is Australia’s premier collective of soulful female artists. Since 2011 Women of Soul have presented live original music written and performed by female artists from across Australia.
Chelsea Wilson
Women of Soul Collective​
Women of Soul is Australia’s premier collective of soulful artists curated and led by Artistic Director, Vocalist, Broadcaster and DJ Chelsea Wilson (House of Valerie Joan) and produced by Creative Producer Linda Catalano (Quiet RIOT).
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Since 2011 WOS have presented live original music from artists including Mo’ Ju (VIC), Nkechi Anele (Saskwatch) (VIC), Audrey Powne (VIC), Stella Angelico (VIC), Chelsea Wilson (VIC), Odette Mercy (WA), Clairy Browne (VIC), Kylie Auldist (The Bamboos) (VIC), Alphamama (NSW), Rita Satch (VIC), Thando (VIC), Raleigh Williams (Cookin' on 3 Burners), Randa and the Soul Kingdom (WA), Tara Lynch (The Transatlantics) (SA), Candice Monique (SA), May Johnston (VIC), Milan Ring (NSW), Shae Mourtzakis (QLD) and many more.
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The collective have been featured on ABC Radio National, Mi-Soul London, PBS 106.7FM, RRR 102.7FM, and were guest hosts on triple J’s Roots ‘N’ All program. Performance highlights include Melbourne Recital Centre, The Malthouse Theatre, Federation Square, Adelaide Fringe Festival and a special live broadcast from the MPavillion for Australian Music Week on ABC Radio. Their debut album “Women of Soul”was nominated for Best Soul/R’n’B Album at The Age Music Victoria Awards.
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The collective aims to empower women in the music industry through facilitating collaborations including songwriting and recording and producing incredible live shows. Women of Soul also engages women behind the scenes in supporting roles including sound engineering, production, photography, lighting, producing and child care, overcoming barriers to women participating and thriving in the music industry.
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What began in 2011 as a collaboration between Randa Khamis (Perth), Chelsea Wilson (Melbourne) and Candice Monique (Adelaide) as a way to collaborate, share audiences and pool resources has grown exponentially over nearly a decade. We look forward to sharing the next decade and beyond with you.
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"There’s no doubting the depth of talent in Melbourne’s soul scene. It’s damn near impossible not to be caught up in the creativity that’s on offer and the accompanying revelry it breeds. The Women of Soul collective, featuring some of the leading vocalists in Melbourne, has been knocking the crowds off their feet with their live shows for five years and have now turned out one of the most ambitious and original projects. Whilst it is an ambitious project, the confidence and purposefulness of the Women of Soul rises to the top and makes this album a surefire affirmation of the heart and style that exists in the Melbourne soul scene today. The Women of Soul album is definitely a keeper."
Adam Fox – Soulsides on RTR-FM 92.1
“As soulful as you can get”- The AU Review
“Women of Soul..showcases the best of Melbournes soul music scene " - Beat Magazine
Chelsea Wilson
Creative Director/ Vocalist/ Curator
(House of Valerie Joan)
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Chelsea Wilson is an independent Melbourne-based vocalist, songwriter, festival producer and DJ. Her debut release “I Hope You’ll Be Very Unhappy Without Me” was lauded ABC Radio National #2 Album of the Year and nominated for Best Soul Album at the Music Victoria Awards. She headlined the APRA Melbourne Arts Centre Stage at The Australasian World Music Expo and made her UK debut at Glastonbury Festival, subsequently selling out London Jazz Cafe. She has performed in venues such as Melbourne Recital Centre and The Athenaeum Theatre and supported artists such as Macy Gray, Tina Arena and Neneh Cherry. Her sophomore album “Chasing Gold”, was nominated for the 2019 Australian Music Prize.
A Graduate of the Queensland Conservatorium of Music she is an accomplished international touring artist and has performed in Japan, the USA, United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Thailand, France and the UK. Behind the scenes Chelsea is the Creative Producer at the Ian Potter Centre for Performing Arts Monash University, Industry Liaison for Jazz Congress Director for Melbourne International Jazz Festival, and Board Director of Music Victoria. She was a guest speaker at The Lincoln Centre New York City for Jazz Congress 2019 and is currently Producer and Presenter of the Control Podcast.
Linda Catalano
Creative Producer (Quiet Riot)
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Founded by award-winning Creative Producer Linda Catalano, Quiet RIOT is an independent production company built on the values of activism, diversity and representation. Quiet RIOT fosters risk-taking and ambition by creating strategic opportunities and touring pathways for projects that encompass radical empathy, collaboration and a sense of adventure. They’ve collaborated with venues and festivals including SOHO Theatre, Roundhouse London, Southbank Centre, Sydney Opera House, Sydney Festival, Arts Centre Melbourne, Malthouse Theatre, QPAC, Adelaide Festival Centre, Skirball Centre NYC, The Cultch Vancouver and Glastonbury Festival to name a few.
Creative Producer Linda Catalano is an independent Creative and Executive Australian Producer with national and international experience as a programmer/ curator, agent and manager that spans both live performance and film and television. Curious and hard working, Linda is someone with a magical blend of literal and lateral who is equally happy with numbers and data as she is with brave leaps into the unexpected and unknown. A critical thinker and creative problem solver, Linda's professional practice is dedicated to developing, presenting, programming and representing diverse, evocative, irreverent and intersectional work. Community connection and professional development are also a key part of her practice.
Women of Soul is led by Artistic Director
Chelsea Wilson & produced by Linda Catalano.