Penelope Swales

Singer and storyteller Penelope Swales is at the cutting edge of contemporary folk in Australia. Best described as a musical journalist, she constantly travels Australia and the world. She combines wry and often outrageous humour with her deep passion for people and issues.


In concert, she blends the best of old and new - not only does she present songs a cappella and in the time-honoured singer-guitarist format, but by applying a small on-the-spot sampler to both her rich vocals and her energetic guitar style, she builds live, trance-like soundscapes over which she deliveres a shatteringly incisive commentary.


Her spoken word material swings from anecdotes bordering on stand-up comedy to an astute presentation of deeply challenging and thought-provoking ideas. She pokes sly fun at our failings while celebrating with insight and compassion our attempts to build a better world and our capacity for love, courage and sensuality.