Highland FM’s 100% Home-grown Artist Of The Month for January is the band The Water Runners.

From Kiama and Gerringong NSW, The Water Runners’ original bluegrass-infused Australian folk/roots music with its four-part harmony story-telling has engaged and moved audiences at festivals, venues and events around the country since 2016.

The band is a mix of experienced musicians John Littrich (guitar/vocals) and Neil McCann (banjo/mandolin/vocals, formerly of folk legends, Wongawilli) and younger musicians James Turk (double-bass), Danita Harris (violin) and Dom Littrich (percussion). Dom also plays in rock band, Pacific Avenue, and funk band, Big Twisty and the Funk Nasty, when not having fun making videos with his housemates, The Inspired Unemployed.

The Water Runners have built a solid reputation as songwriters and performers which has been recognised through final honours over the last few years in the Tamworth Song Writers Association song competition and in achieving both ‘Best Band’ in the 2020 Australian National Busking Championships and second in the Open category. The band were selected to represent Australia in the 2021 Sounds Australia Folk Unlocked live stream and were finalists in the “People’s Choice’ category of the 2021 Australian Folk Music Awards.

The Water Runners worked have released three albums: Heading South (2016); Point of No Return (2019) and, in 2021, worked with multi award-winning producer, Matt Fell (ABC’s ‘The Recording Studio’), to record and release Further Down the Road.

Guitar, banjo, mandolin, fiddle, double bass, percussion and harmonies combine with tight harmonies as The Water Runners take you on a musical journey musical journey down South Coast back roads and through human stories past and present. Come along for the ride!

Key Highlights

  • The Water Runners were voted Best Band at the 2020 Australian National Busking Championships 
  • Finalist in the Australian Folk Music Alliance’s People’s Choice Award

“The true beauty of The Water Runners’ music is that it connects people”

Highland FM 107.1
https://youtu.be/KwM2D2EJ1kI
https://youtu.be/yZWqii7Razs

The Water Runners album Further Down The Road is available via Spotify, Apple Music and iTunes and can be purchased through the The Water Runners’ website.

Recorded Live in the Highland FM Studios

Highland FM Live is a platform dedicated to giving a voice to the rich diversity of contemporary Australian musicians and songwriters that tell our stories, contribute to our culture and give voice to our communities.

The Water Runners – Kate Kelly’s Dream – Live in the Highland FM Studios

The Water Runners-Kate Kellys Dream

The Water Runners – Lay That Burden Down – Live in the Highland FM Studios

The Water Runners-Lay That Burden Down


Music Releases

The Water Runners – Fire In The Stone

Fire in the Stone

The Water Runners – Further Down The Road

Further Down the Road

The Water Runners – Jamberoo Mountain Blues

Jamberoo Mountain Blues

The Water Runners – Banks Of The Minnamurra

Banks of the Minnamurra

The Water Runners – Sing Like A Bird

Sing Like a Bird

The Water Runners – Water From The Well

Water From the Well

The Water Runners – Stand On Your Own Two Feet

Stand on Your Own Two Feet

LISTEN TO JOHN LITTRICH FROM THE WATER RUNNERS ON 100% HOME-GROWN

John Littrich talks to Lea Steed and provides an insight into the stories that is the Water Runners’ unique sound. Click on the tab below to hear the full interview, as recorded on Highland FM’s 100% Home-grown program on Saturday 1 January, 2021.

100% Home-Grown interview with John Littrich from The Water Runners

Interview With The Water Runners

LISTEN TO MICHAEL SIMIC ON 100% HOME-GROWN

As featured on 100% Home-grown on Saturday 1 January, Michael Simic, Regional Music Officer at MusicNSW chats with Lea Steed about Highland FM’s new Artist of the Month for January – The Water Runners.

Michael also chats about the first 100% Home-Grown Live Concert and Highland FM Live, an initiative for local musicians to record acoustic music. Click on the tab below to hear the full interview.

100% Home-Grown interview with Michael Simic from MUSIC NSW

Interview With Michael Simic

LISTEN TO MICHAEL SIMIC ON 100% HOME-GROWN LAUNCHING THE ARTIST OF THE MONTH INITIATIVE

As featured on 100% Home-Grown, Michael Simic, Regional Music Officer, MusicNSW chats with Adam Stokeld about Highland FM’s Artist of the Month Initiative.  Click on the tab below to hear the full interview.

100% Home-Grown Artist Of the Month Michael Simic MUSICNSW

MusicNSW, Southern Tablelands Arts and Southern Highland News are working with Highland FM to give a voice to our local musicians and songwriters.

You can catch all the latest releases, interviews and new Australian music from the Amrap catalogue every Thursday and Saturday on Highland FM’s award winning program, 100% Home-Grown. The program is dedicated to supporting independent Australian artists.

MusicNSW

Southern Tablelands Arts

Southern Highland News