Well, I must say I have been to gigs in Mansions, at the beach, in pubs the size of a postage stamp all the way up to stadiums, but I have never been to a gig in a converted chicken coop on a community farm/garden space. Tonight’s performance was hosted by Ecoss a not-for-profit community environment hub located in Wesburn part of the Yarra Valley in Victoria.
Opening the early evening gig was Awol Monks, an acoustic duo with Dom McKay on vocals and guitar and Leanne Hall on percussion including a Djembe drum. They played a 30-minute set of 5 original and cover songs. They have a folky sound mixed with jungle beats. Dom’s voice has a hauntingly controlled calm to it and mixed with Leanne’s enchanting drum rhythms they are a hippy, cool duo. An entertaining warm up for the main act.
Awol Monks Gallery
Shaun Kirk is a Melbourne born independent soul and blues singer/songwriter. A one-man band, he stands on the stage with his tour beaten guitar, harmonica around his neck and an assortment of foot pedals that control a kick drum, cymbals, tambourine and other assorted percussion. Watching Shaun control his one-man band is like watching the web feet of a duck paddling underwater. His legs do not stop moving, but oh! The sound those legs produce mixed with classic blues guitar and harmonica undertones is a feast for the ears.
Shaun has a powerful down home and dirty velvet blues voice. His sound takes you back to a smokey juke joint or in this case a converted chicken coop. By the end of the evening, he had every hen, rooster and everything in between up moving, dancing and singing.
A great storyteller, and his stories are often self-reflective and uplifting. With lyrics which are intense, powerful and energetic. His 9th song of the evening is about unconditional love or as an audience member said #DogLove is a perfect example of how he pours his heart and sweat into every word and note.
Shaun was on stage for over 90 minutes. He played 11 original songs and had the intimate audience captivated, his voice and music filled the room with old school blues, & his 20 years of playing are evident in his fine honed skills.
Having performed on festival iconic stages like Bluesfest Byron Bay, to sharing the bill with legends like John Mayer, John Butler Trio, and The Teskey Brothers; to opening for household names such as blues virtuoso Joe Bonamassa. If you love blues, then I suggest you check out Shaun’s music or, if he is in your town go and see him! He is a prolific tourer and maybe in a town near you soon.
Thank you to Shaun Kirk and Ecoss for allowing myself and Ozgreeny Photography to be your guests and as I write this I wonder if I should keep the Coop at Ecoss a secret for myself, but this secret is too good to keep. Ecoss runs a Friday afternoon/evening market every week and special music events regularly. (Nathan Cavaleri performing on 24/5/25) If you live in the area check out social media for future events.
Shaun Kirk Gallery
All image credit Oz Greeny’s Photography