bio

The Jane Austen Argument on the stairs!

“Stunning… powerful and moving… leaving the audience gasping for more. *****” (Broadway Baby)

“Dark, dazzling… music visceral enough to almost carry the smell of sex and cigarettes. *****” (Herald Sun)

 “Raw and wonderful” (Three Weeks)

**Winner – Best Cabaret (Director), Adelaide Fringe Festival 2011**

**Winner – Best Cabaret, Adelaide Fringe Festival 2010**

**Highly Commended – Best Cabaret, Melbourne Fringe Festival 2010**

The Jane Austen Argument are a Melbourne-based indie cabaret band with overtones of anti-folk and punk love. Their ‘swirling, heartbroken waltzes’ (ThreeThousand) are voiced with sharp tongues and performed with chaotic abandon.

Brought together through a chance cigarette break encounter, original duo Tom Dickins and Jen Kingwell discovered a shared love of Nick Cave, Regina Spektor, eyeliner and theatrical musical convention. The immediate creative chemistry between the pair has transformed into a visceral performance dynamic which ‘leaves the audience gasping for more’ (Broadway Baby).

Since the release of their debut record in February 2012, Dickins and Kingwell have been joined by band members Stive Collins and Jess O’Keeffe on drums and cello. The Jane Austen Argument are just as likely to be found playing intimate house gigs, Fringe festivals and haphazardly organised Twitnics (picnics with fans, instruments and MOAR WINE) as mega rock shows from London’s Heaven nightclub to the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall.

No band members currently listed.

8 Responses to “bio”

  1. Marion-sun June 7, 2011 at 3:32 am #

    Had a really bad day today, but listening to your music makes me feel better! Found ´Bad Wine and Lemoncakes` on the Amanda Palmer Album and i love it! Voice and Piano together makes me dream away! I would like to see you live! Ever thought about coming to Germany? ;-) Go on with your Music, i like to hear more!

  2. ana clara stauss April 11, 2011 at 10:45 am #

    Uma das coisas mais sublimes que conheci ultimamente.
    Espero ansiosa por vocês em Perth ou São Paulo~Brazil.

  3. Will van Niekerk March 5, 2011 at 3:51 am #

    I heard “Bad Wine and Lemon Cake” on Amanda Palmer’s album, and had to google you. I’m now impatient for a full length album.

  4. Matt March 1, 2011 at 3:40 pm #

    Thanku for an amazing peformance on Saturday night first time are saw u both I adored your songs and the angel wings

  5. Jan February 14, 2011 at 12:19 pm #

    I am located in Minnesota, USA, about as far away as one can get from Australia. Yet I still managed to find your music and performances. Bought your EP and have been listening to it every day to and from work. I also watched “Where Was I?” and shared it with my friends. I would love to purchase any/all of your other songs…Bones…Ready To Heal. Please put them up on Bandcamp or somewhere soon? Thank you, Jan

  6. Kameron McDonnell February 5, 2011 at 11:14 am #

    I just bought Amanda Palmer Goes Down Under, and came across your song, Bad Wine and Lemon Cake, and just wanted to say that your voice is magnificent, and I promptly bought your new ep (congrats!) so I could experience more. Thank you.

  7. Charlene February 2, 2011 at 11:03 pm #

    I fell in love with Bad Wine and Lemon Cake, its really the most beautiful song I’ve heard in years. Your voice is like sipping a good Cognac, you could be reading the user guide to the I-pone4 and it would still be brilliant. I cannot wait for your album and I’ll definitely be first in line for any performances in Perth

  8. Marc Vanderveen February 2, 2011 at 3:29 am #

    I saw you both perform tonight in Canberra and at 3.22am on a work night am still processing how impressed I remain with the experience.