‘EM IS RORY ELLIS & CHRISTIAN MARSH
Stories by the ton, Americana music with fire!
This act features the hypnotically resonant voice of Rory Ellis, in turn playing all things acoustic.
He is joined by harmonica master Christian Marsh who adds a perfect melody and tastefully underpins the songs. Together they perform stripped down, gutsy versions of songs from Rory's last 10 nationally and internationally media acclaimed albums. And now for the first time, Rory and Christian have released a strikingly honest duo album of 11 brand new songs titled “We Can’t Dance”.
Rory’s musical journey has been 35 odd years in the making performing extensively at major venues and festivals here and abroad alongside greats such as Robert Cray, Richie Havens, Charlie Mussellwhite, Eric Bibb, even Pokey La Farge. Some of these festivals include, the Isle of Wight Festival UK, Maryport Blues Festival UK, Shetland Folk Festival UK, Castel St Pietro Blues Festival IT, Celle Festival DE, Thredbo Blues Festival AU, Port Fairy Folk Festival AU and the National Folk Festival AU.
In recent years Rory and Christian have performed together at the Blue Mountains Music Festival, Thredbo Blues Festival an amazing 3 times. Bells Line Festival, Cygnet Folk Festival, Northern Beaches Music Festival and Broadbeach Blues Festival as well as many other venues and shows around the country.
Christian is a phenomenally versatile Australian harmonica player.
A master of both the Diatonic and Chromatic harmonica he has experienced a rich, wide and varied performance history. He’s rubbed shoulders with the greats working alongside harmonica legends Howard Levy and Larry Adler, performed with Symphony Orchestras and won Gold Harmonica Awards in Tamworth. Furthermore, Christian has a highly colourful palate of recording sessions for film and television, featuring on music projects for an extensive range of Australian and International artists. He has credits on over 70 albums.
WE CAN’T DANCE
“We Can't Dance” is an intimate collection of bold, bare boned Americana tracks, recorded with just one mic! It is filled with powerful storytelling, exceptional musicianship and raw emotion.
Voice, acoustic instruments, chromatic, diatonic and bass harmonicas played with fire, timbre and virtuosity, with stories that will challenge, comfort and resonate. It’s like they are in your lounge room.
Songs of longing, let downs, straw men, visions, folklore of drought and struggle. Songs that recognise the harsh words spoken in life that outlive death, industry destruction, its outfall, lockdowns, and the years when the world changed. It is also deeply personal, touching on the little demons that find their way into the room!
Sound interesting?
SOME RECENT QUOTES ABOUT THE ALBUM.
“A duo with a small selection of instruments and one mic. Raw, rich, blues-infused Americana /alt Country, with lyrics of contemplation and celebration.
Listen to the album and you’ll know what to expect at live shows. Ellis and Marsh have captured the rare sound and beautifully honed feel that epitomises what they do best.” CHRIS LAMBIE RHYTHMS MAGAZINE SPRING 2026
"I file Rory’s records alongside my Chris Wilson albums, which, of course, is a mighty compliment. Rory Ellis is like an old bluesman – earthy, no frills, just compelling storytelling. And you believe every word he sings.” jeff Jenkins (RRR, Rhythms) 2/7/26
“Absolutely brilliant album, stripped back to perfection” Lees Blues and Roots Review Goldfields FM (Lee Koumarianos)
