The Snowy Rail Bridge will become a stage for Victorian-inspired wonder when the Snowy Steampunk Soirée returns, with local trio Smuggler’s Moon bringing their own brand of genre-bending sound to the historic setting.
Made up of Orbost locals Douggie Kerr and Rachel Songailo, along with Bonnie Edwards from Cabbage Tree Creek, Smuggler’s Moon’s love of playing music together comes through in their live performances.
Douggie brings bass, banjo, guitar and vocals to the group, while Rachel adds the unmistakable sound of violin and piano, alongside her voice.
Bonnie contributes guitar and vocals, helping shape a sound the band describes as anything but predictable.
“Smuggler’s Moon is a mix of genres, ranging from ‘dirty gypsy pirate’, oceanic country, blues, rock n roll and grunge music,” Bonnie said.
“At the moment we keep our style quite open.”
For their Snowy Steampunk Soirée performance, the trio will lean into a moodier side of their music.
“For the Steampunk event we are going down the avenue of a bit darker and a bit more ominous,” Bonnie said.
It is a fitting direction for a night that will see the Snowy Rail Bridge transformed into a world of mystery and mechanical imagination.
The band came together through a shared love of connecting with people through music and have become familiar faces at local events, including performances at Sailors Grave Brewing and Forest Park’s music festival Forest Rythyms.
For Smuggler’s Moon, playing the Soirée is another opportunity to celebrate the creative spirit of the region.
“We love connecting with people through music,” Bonnie said.
The trio will open the evening for internationally experienced cellist Christina Hayes, who will bring her own unique sound to the event with her electric cello.
Hayes has performed professionally with orchestras across Europe and now creates a distinctive fusion of classical influence and modern performance.
Her style will be right at home among a steampunk atmosphere, set in the East Gippsland bush.
The Snowy Steampunk Soirée will take place beneath the historic trestles of the Snowy Rail Bridge on Saturday, July 18, as part of the East Gippsland Winter Festival.
The event will feature live music with catering by Wyanga Park Winery. Tickets are on sale now via the East Gippsland Winter Festival site.
