Jessie Monk is an avant-folk musician out of GunaiKurnai land, Australia, now based between Berlin and Naarm. She weaves new stories with old threads, inspired by the Celtic and Appalachian folk traditions and more experimental mediums such as neu-musik and Butoh.
Often accompanied by a renegade ensemble in Europe: Fabiana Striffler, Max Andrzejewski, Paul Santner and Conor Cunningham, and in Australia: Arlon Faria, NoLess (Aidan Ryan) and Claire Abolegis, Jessie Monk and Band create an atmosphere of tangible and, at the same time, experimental folklore and thoughtfulness, enchanting audiences with their mythical and fearless playing style.
Her sound is reminiscent of Joni Mitchell, Sam Amidon or Anna Mieke while her lyrics are inspired by the likes of Rilke and Ovid. Also an actress and a dancer, Jessie has played in major musicals including the Australian Premier of David Bowie’s, Lazarus and recently performed in the Australian tour of Anais Mitchell’s, Hadestown, 2025.
In 2023, she released her debut LP, Continually Becoming, reviewed in Rolling Stone Magazine as ‘Boundless Folk, about and against the grain’. Her sophomore album – Mis O’ The Mountains – a concept album based on the myth of the ancient celtic goddess named Mis, was released in May, 2025, and is a Finalist for AFMA’s Contemporary Folk Album of the Year.
Jessie has toured, played festivals and supported major artists at venues around Europe and Australia. Most notably these have included – Festivals: Women in (e)Motion (Bremen), BeKind festival (Berlin), The Smallest Desk on Earth (Leipzig), Reeperbahn Festival (Hamburg).
Support slots: Support for Ocie Elliott (Regensburg), Support for Matthew and the Atlas (Hamburg), Support for Rachel Sermanni (Europe Tour).
Jessie’s music is cherished by many of Europe and Australia’s leading radio stations:
EU: Deutschlandfunk Kultur, Bremen 2, Radio 1, Fritz Radio, BBC 3
AUS: Triple J, Double J, ABC Country, PBS
Listed below are some of the venues Jessie has played in Europe and Australia:
Concert Houses: Thon-Dittmer-Palais (Regensburg), Kulturzentrum Schlachthof (Bremen), Hedon (Zwolle), Silent Green (Berlin), Nachtasyl (Hamburg), Haldern Pop Bar (Rees), Trafo (Jena), Pop Seasons – Chistrianskirche (Hamburg Altona)
Folk venues: Levis Corner House (Ireland), The Song Room (Ireland), Brees Bar (Ireland), Open Studios (Melbourne).
Jazz/Experimental venues: Donau 115 (Berlin), GalilaaKirche (Berlin), Petersburg Arts Space (Berlin), The Wesley Anne (Melbourne), Bennigan’s Bar (Northern Ireland)
Opera Houses/Theatres: Nikolaisaal (Potsdam), St John’s Theatre (Ireland), Ararat Town Hall (Australia), Danchouse (Australia).
