
Ella Hartwig
Stage Door Sessions.
The Princess Theatre
8 Annerley Rd
Jun 23, 2025
6:00 PM GMT+10
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About this concert
June 23, 2025.
The next edition of Stage Door Sessions. brings together two distinct voices in Australian folk music. Brisbane’s poetic bluesman Jordan Merrick, returning to the stage with raw intensity after nearly two years away, and rising folk-country star Ella Hartwig, fresh off her QUBE Effect 2025 success and debut album release. From Merrick’s haunting lyricism to Hartwig’s heartfelt melodies, this special session promises an unforgettable night of storytelling, soul, and stripped-back magic.
Ella Hartwig.
Brisbane-based folk/country singer-songwriter continues her steady rise in the Australian music scene with a sound defined by heartfelt storytelling and emotional depth. A finalist in Brisbane City Council’s The QUBE Effect 2025, she’s gained acclaim for her raw and honest song writing, showcased beautifully in her live studio performance of "Backup." With performances across Queensland and beyond, Hartwig is carving out a space as one of the most promising new voices in Australian folk and country music.
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Ella Hartwig Biography
From Country Nights to City Lights and Writing All About it:
Cape York’s singer/songwriter Ella Hartwig blends her folk roots with a hint of country and a twist of pop.
Freshly graduated from the Australian Academy of Country Music and a finalist in Brisbane City Council’s QUBE Effect, Hartwig sold out the first print of her debut, physical exclusive Country/Folk album: TAKE ME SOUTH.
Hailing from Cooktown, Far North Queensland (Australia), Ella’s musical journey began in her early years and quickly garnered international recognition for her songwriting talent. For songs she wrote at the age of thirteen, she had already earned two Queensland Music Award nominations.
At the cusp of adulthood, Ella made a pivotal move from the remote Far North to the City of Brisbane, determined to expand her artistic horizons. In 2022, Ella took a bold step, moving nearly 2,000 kilometres from her hometown to pursue a full-time music career at just nineteen. Having performed since the age of twelve, she has shared stages with some of Australia’s most prominent artists, including Neil Murray, Kim Churchill, Ash Grunwald, Boo Seeka, Full Flower Moon Band, and the beloved Black Image Band and Roadtrippers from her hometown region.
After launching her first single at age fifteen, Ella released her debut EP in 2019, supported by Arts Queensland, which earned her further acclaim, including multiple Queensland Music Award nominations and other songwriting wins for tracks like "Can’t Ask You to Stay" and "Staged Reality."
Described by the Cooktown Weekly as continuing “to make Cooktown proud after being selected for two prestigious Australian music development programs” Hartwig’s further wins include snagging a spot in Listen Up’s Semi-Final Songwriting Competition for “Backup” in 2024, and a slot as a finalist in the Gympie Music Muster’s Mothertone Talent Search.
Best known for her breakout country single, "Western Star," Ella gained widespread attention, leading to her music video being featured on Country Music Television, a partnership with Daimler Trucks, and a video premiere on Scenestr Magazine. With over 300,000 music streams and more than 780,000 social media uses, her music continues to resonate widely.
Described by Scenestr magazine as possessing an "earthy, powerful, robust voice that instantly captures your attention… surging like a storm-ravaged river," Ella’s sound is often compared to the likes of Missy Higgins and Melissa Etheridge. Her influences range from Paul Kelly and Vance Joy to Sam Fender, but it’s her unique style and deeply emotional lyrics that truly set her apart, creating an intimate connection with her listeners.
“I’ve always been captivated by lyrics and music. My inspiration comes from the world around me, and songwriting is my way of connecting with people,” Ella says.
Read MoreCape York’s singer/songwriter Ella Hartwig blends her folk roots with a hint of country and a twist of pop.
Freshly graduated from the Australian Academy of Country Music and a finalist in Brisbane City Council’s QUBE Effect, Hartwig sold out the first print of her debut, physical exclusive Country/Folk album: TAKE ME SOUTH.
Hailing from Cooktown, Far North Queensland (Australia), Ella’s musical journey began in her early years and quickly garnered international recognition for her songwriting talent. For songs she wrote at the age of thirteen, she had already earned two Queensland Music Award nominations.
At the cusp of adulthood, Ella made a pivotal move from the remote Far North to the City of Brisbane, determined to expand her artistic horizons. In 2022, Ella took a bold step, moving nearly 2,000 kilometres from her hometown to pursue a full-time music career at just nineteen. Having performed since the age of twelve, she has shared stages with some of Australia’s most prominent artists, including Neil Murray, Kim Churchill, Ash Grunwald, Boo Seeka, Full Flower Moon Band, and the beloved Black Image Band and Roadtrippers from her hometown region.
After launching her first single at age fifteen, Ella released her debut EP in 2019, supported by Arts Queensland, which earned her further acclaim, including multiple Queensland Music Award nominations and other songwriting wins for tracks like "Can’t Ask You to Stay" and "Staged Reality."
Described by the Cooktown Weekly as continuing “to make Cooktown proud after being selected for two prestigious Australian music development programs” Hartwig’s further wins include snagging a spot in Listen Up’s Semi-Final Songwriting Competition for “Backup” in 2024, and a slot as a finalist in the Gympie Music Muster’s Mothertone Talent Search.
Best known for her breakout country single, "Western Star," Ella gained widespread attention, leading to her music video being featured on Country Music Television, a partnership with Daimler Trucks, and a video premiere on Scenestr Magazine. With over 300,000 music streams and more than 780,000 social media uses, her music continues to resonate widely.
Described by Scenestr magazine as possessing an "earthy, powerful, robust voice that instantly captures your attention… surging like a storm-ravaged river," Ella’s sound is often compared to the likes of Missy Higgins and Melissa Etheridge. Her influences range from Paul Kelly and Vance Joy to Sam Fender, but it’s her unique style and deeply emotional lyrics that truly set her apart, creating an intimate connection with her listeners.
“I’ve always been captivated by lyrics and music. My inspiration comes from the world around me, and songwriting is my way of connecting with people,” Ella says.
Country
Country Pop
Folk
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