Bowen and Clare at folk club

Bowen and Clare will perform at the next Troubadour meeting to be held on Saturday, March 18, at the Woy Woy CWA Hall.

Darryl Bowen, an Australian of Irish descent, has been performing Irish and Australian music for well over a decade, starting as front man for Sydney bush band Barbwire.

He penned some of the tracks on Barbwire's album Come to Dinner and, in 2003, he produced a solo album of both originals and covers titled Just a Sniff.

Bowen's musical partner Lydia Clare came from a musical background with her father Norm and her brother Gary working as brass and woodwind technicians.

Clare began performing in the late 90s as an original member and songwriter for Sydney folk band Wild Honey.

Bowen and Clare came together in 2007 and produced their 14-track debut album Hillbilly Hippy in 2011 with Bill Chambers.

They said this was inspired by the peace of the bush and the pioneer spirit that permeates their home in Wheeny Creek, NSW.

The duo won the mountain-bluegrass section at the 2011 Canberra Country Music Awards for the album's title track.

"They're down to earth singer-songwriters of what they call Croak Music," said Troubadour publicity officer Ms Willy Timmerman.

"They're like sugar and spice.

"She's soft and sweet and he's bold and earthy.

"If they're not singing songs you know and love, they're singing songs you'll grow to love.

"Their music is catchy and energetic with an authentic sound and a raw edge that conjures up who they are, simple folk, simply living.

"They've been engaging and moving audiences with toe tapping guitar, mandolin and harmonica in a fusion of country, folk, bluegrass and more."

Media Release, 19 Feb 2012 Willy Timmerman, Troubadour Central Coast Inc.