Artist of the Month
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Luke Bowen: 100% Home-Grown
Welcome to Highland FM’s 100% Home-Grown, a platform dedicated to giving a voice to the rich diversity of contemporary Australian musicians and songwriters.
Each month Highland FM will feature a selected artist from our region, including live interviews, performances, new releases and more.
100% Home-Grown is the heartbeat of Australian music. Access the freshest tunes of 2024, an eclectic mix of genres to introduce you to the very best in new sounds.
November Artist of the Month: Luke Bowen
Throughout November, Highland FM celebrates the artistry of pianist, Luke Bowen. Recorded at Old Binda Road Studios, Luke’s interpretations of Liszt, Chopin, Schumann and Chamanade capture both the fire and soul of each piece. Many of these compositions were inspired by the great creators of their time, including painters, literature, poetry and nature, reflecting the rich interplay between music and visual art. This spirit perfectly mirrors November in the Highlands with its celebration of arts and culture. Tune in to Highland FM 107.1, where Luke invites listeners to experience each composition as if hearing it for the first time.
Pianist Luke Bowen, the 2024 recipient of the prestigious Eva Pascoe Award, is a Shoalhaven based musician with an impressive presence in the Highlands and beyond. On avchieving his Licentiate in Music with distinctions at just 15, Luke has since become a frequent recitalist at St. Jude’s in Bowral where his wide ranging repertoire consistently captivates audiences. He has appeared as a soloist with the Highlands Sinfonia (2022) and recently performed Liszt’s Piano Concerto No. 1, a highly complex and transformative work, with the Southern Highlands Symphony Orchestra.
In 2023, Luke was featured in Inspire Music Australia’s Emerging Artist Series, performing in Bowral and Wollongong alongside former 100% Home-Grown Artist and 2023 Eva Pascoe Award winner, acclaimed violinist, Cedar Newman.
Having performed extensively across the Shoalhaven and Illawarra regions, including two appearances in the recital series for Music Shoalhaven, Luke most recently joined the Highlands Music Collective for their Vienna Gold series. There, he performed chamber works by Mozart, Schubert and Australian composer Robert Constable alongside violinist Myee Clohessy, cellist William Howard and violist Patrick Brearley.
Beyond recitals, Luke is a familiar face at the Shoalhaven Eisteddfod, where he won the Teen Piano Championship title for three consecutive years. In 2021, he was a finalist in the prestigious national Theme & Variations Foundation competition for pianists. Luke has also performed as a guest soloist with the Shoalhaven Lydian Singers, the Bundanon Trust and international tenor John MacNally during his Australian tour.
Alongside his musical achievements, Luke earned a diploma in music from the University of New England and is currently pursuing a science degree at UNE while studying piano privately with Professor Robert Constable AM. Excited to return to the 2024 Emerging Artists Series, Luke hopes to inspire local audiences and the wider community as he showcases the talent nurtured by the local music scene.
RECORDED: OLD BINDA ROAD STUDIOS
Audio Engineer: Stephen Lindsay
Mastered: Warren ‘Wazz’ Barnett
Produced: Adam Stokeld
If you like what you hear, you can discover more about our 100% Home-Grown feature artists on this page, find out how they got into music, what makes them tick and listen to their latest releases on demand.
100% HOME-GROWN, THE HEARTBEAT OF AUSTRALIAN MUSIC
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Previous Featured Artists of the Month
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October 100% Home-Grown Feature Artist
Our 100% Home-Grown Artist Of The Month for October is Ben Malone
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September 100% Home-Grown Feature Artist
Our 100% Home-Grown Artist Of The Month for September is Dan Challis
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August 100% Home-Grown Feature Artist
Our 100% Home-Grown Artist Of The Month for August is Jodi Phillis.
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July 100% Home-Grown Feature Artist
Our 100% Home-Grown Artist Of The Month for July is Amber Kenny.
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June 100% Home-Grown Feature Artist
Our 100% Home-Grown Artist Of The Month for June is Jerikye Williams.
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May 100% Home-Grown Feature Artist
Our 100% Home-Grown Artist Of The Month for May is Angus Murray.
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April 100% Home-Grown Feature Artist
Our 100% Home-Grown Artist Of The Month for April is We Mavericks.
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March 100% Home-Grown Feature Artist
Our 100% Home-Grown Artist Of The Month for March is Two If By Sea.
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February 100% Home-Grown Feature Artist
Our 100% Home-Grown Artist Of The Month for February is Speed Dial, a seven-piece Southern Highlands band.
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January 100% Home-Grown Feature Artist
Highland FM’s 100% Home-grown Artist Of The Month for January is the band The Water Runners.From Kiama and Gerringong NSW,…
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December 100% Home-Grown Feature Artist
Highland FM’s 100% Home-grown Artist Of The Month for December is Sara Berki.Sara is a Southern Highlands-based country singer-songwriter with…
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November 100% Home-Grown Feature Artist
Highland FM’s 100% Home-grown Artist Of The Month for November is The Rich Pitcher.The Rich Pitcher began their journey in…