Joni Mitchell and her music exist outside the realm of aspiration for myself and probably many artists. Instead her music nourishes us year after year after year… “and pours out in these lines from time to time”. I once dreamt I was standing in a rich garden, and knew at once that the garden was Joni’s music. I hadn’t been there in a really long time, and was overcome with this amazing sense of relief of knowing, and of wonder.

- Tania Bowra

Tania Bowra first came to attention with the release of her 1989 debut “Heaven and Earth” (ABC Records/Polygram) which won her an ARIA nomination for Best New Talent. Many years on Tania’s unmistakable voice continues to leave indelible imprints on those who hear her.

While much of her writing is rooted in the singer-songwriter tradition of the early seventies, Tania shares much in common with soul singers and performers, possessing the rare ability to communicate the emotional essence of a song through voice, harmony and rhythm. Her songs are timeless and classic, drawing parallels with artists such as David Gray, Fiona Apple and the early songs of Elton John.

Tania’s professional career – spanning more than 20 years – has enjoyed some impressive highlights: while living in the UK in the mid 1990’s Tania appeared at such prestigious venues as Edinburgh’s famous Spiegeltent, the 12bar club and The Garage in London, toured with ex-Fairground Attraction singer Eddi Reader in her band and, at songwriter Paul Brady’s request, joined him on a tour of the UK opening for him, including a night at the London Palladium.

Fans of Tania’s music have had to cultivate patience between her albums: she has averaged an album per life-cycle – 7 years  but it’s always worth the wait. Tania’s second (self-titled) album was released in 1996, and showed a growing soul influence in her writing, later to be followed up by “Place in the Sun” (2004, Craving Records). “Place in the Sun” was produced by Tania with help from talented producer and musician Matt Fell and met with highly enthusiastic reviews. The album features some of Sydney’s finest musicians including drummers Hamish Stuart, Terepai Richmond, bassists James Haselwood and Greg Royal, Hammond organ player Clayton Doley, and members of string quartet Fourplay.

Though singing, performing and writing remain very close to her heart, recent years have seen Tania broaden her experience into producing  an interest first sparked in her as a teenager thanks to the gift of a 4-track recorder from the late great Ted Albert. From those days of arranging and recording her own demos (eventually leading to her first record deal), later producing numerous childrens albums and projects for the ABC during the 1990’s, up to recent production credits such as Sydney band Sistermadly’s album “Naked”, Tania’s venture into production is a most natural complement to her performing and songwriting career – and is a direction she feels increasingly excited about!

Tania also enjoys working in the community arts, producing projects, mentoring other songwriters, musicians and technicians. As part of her ongoing work at Redfern Community Centre in inner Sydney, Tania produced a compilation album “Songbird Calling  Stories from Studio RCC” in late 2008, which showcases predominantly unknown Aboriginal artists. The project was supported by City of Sydney Council and represents a strikingly unique collection of songs and performances.

Currently Tania is thrilled to be working with her friends Sydney duo Stiff Gins, producing their latest album with them, due for completion later this year.

And, keen to return to more live performing, she is working on a new project with two very talented song-women: Suzy Connolly (ex-butterfly 9) and Lara Goodridge (one quarter of Fourplay) and hunting for the ultimate Rhythm Section!!

“no better female singer/songwriter roaming our shores”

- Sydney City Hub

“a blessedly distinctive and gorgeous voice she never loses sight of the song or its melody. For at heart, [she] is searching for the perfect song. “

- Mike Gee, The Brag

“.a writer possessed with a supreme sense of melody and lyrical intelligence a cross between Neil Young and Fiona Apple.”

- Inpress magazine

“no transient talent. She will be around in 20 years time Her voice with all its sincerity and warmth, she’s one of the best singers we have…a remarkable talent in our midst.”

- Bruce Elder Sydney Morning Herald