The folk singers spent a large part of 2015 in the US where they performed at the Folk Alliance International Conference in Kansas City.

It was a chance for Alanna and Alicia to showcase their musical talents for American music festival directors and co-ordinators.

“Americans really love their music and there is so many festivals and opportunities. It’s great for Australian musicians to go to American and be in such a positive and expansive culture,” Alanna said.

“Artist don’t receive that tall poppy syndrome either. They’re not asked what their day job is or how they make money, they just want to hear music and help you play.”

Networking opportunities at the conference helped the sisters make a number of good connections and they also got the chance to play gigs in Texas, New Orleans and New York.

“It’s a very vibrant culture. There is so many different styles of folk music going on,” Alanna said.

On returning to Australia, Alanna and Alicia began working on a project that is close to their hearts.

“We have been working on a new album based on work of singer-songwriter John Beavis,” Alanna said.

“We grew up listening to his music, he was a neighbour of ours and our project is to get his work out to the world.”

Beavis was one of the first influences on the sisters’ music.

“He was the first real songwriter we met as very young children. Our parents knew him and sang his songs,” Alanna said.

“I remember he came and introduced himself at the Port Fair Folk Festival. He knocked on door and said he heard us playing his music.

“Last year we learnt a couple of songs for our repetoire. At the National Folk Festival we played a concert of his music and the older generation knew his work and were pleased we were honouring him, so we thought it would be good to record.”

Alanna and Alicia plan to have the John Beavis inspired album finished by early next year.

The sisters also plan to return to the US in the future.

“We did make some really good connections through the conference,” Alanna said.

“We just have to get the schedules right. It’s a matter of sewing something feasible together and working with the connections we made.” 

Alanna and Alicia play at the Wyreena Arts Community Centre in Croydon on Friday night and The Old Church on the Hill on Saturday night. Tickets are $15.

The John Flanagan Band will also play at the Old Church on the Hill. The show starts at 7.30pm.