Flora presents their sophomore album ‘This Feeling is a Memory’. First up on Flora’s inaugural interstate tour is hometown Bendigo. They will be joined by the local Xanthe Thorpe. Flora’s debut and sophomore album will be available to purchase on vinyl.
Doors – 4:30pm, Xanthe Thorpe – 5pm, Flora – 6pm
Flora is the evocative musical project of Wurundjeri-based artist Manni Churchill (they/them). Known for their alt-folk and country-gaze magic, Flora’s music is a steady fixture of the Melbourne/Naarm music scene. Seeping through venue walls Flora encapsulates echoes of home, unspoken conversations, and a fierce dedication to the underdog. Backed by an intricate ensemble, Churchill’s sonic world draws comparisons to the raw vulnerability of Adrianne Lenker and the melancholia of Phoebe Bridgers. While pulling from an eclectic web of influences ranging from the quirky lo-fi folk of Kimya Dawson to the soulful, textured beats of Nujabes, Flora’s sound has it’s own unique feeling.
Central to Flora’s identity is Churchill’s emotional connection to Djarra country. Growing up in the rolling hills of Harcourt, the landscape served as a playground of freedom and imagination. Churchill spent their childhood roaming the hills, building hidden cubbys within granite rocks, swimming in snake-inhabited dams, and proudly guiding friends on tours of the local wombat holes and forests. This profound intimacy with the land remains the beating heart of Flora’s songwriting. It infuses the music with a distinct sense of place and nostalgia.
As an active participant in Naarm’s vibrant music scene where folk music and community naturally intersect, Flora has cultivated a dedicated following, regularly selling out local venues long before releasing their self-titled debut album in 2024. The first record explored early struggles with mental health in raw tracks like ‘Die Young’ and ‘Get Better’, Flora’s highly anticipated sophomore album, ‘This Feeling is a Memory’ represents a triumphant, unfolding evolution of their life journey. The album is a cohesive testament to Churchill’s personal recovery, speaking directly to healing, hope, and the enduring strength of bonds with loved ones.
As an independent artist, Flora begins the songwriting process with an acoustic guitar. While Churchill arranged specific instrumental blueprints for the title track, the band contributed their own creative liberties to build upon the foundations of the other songs. The band consists of Pia Nesvara (backing vocals), Lali Hodgkins (banjo, backing vocals), Finn Endries (viola, accordian), Lachlan White (Drums) and Franz Justice-Delupang (Bass).
Successfully producing their first album with Lara Prokop, they have collaborated for a second time to produce ‘This Feeling is a Memory’. The duo meticulously produced the album to refine Flora’s unique alt-folk sound.
Flora’s live performances offer audiences a multi-faceted experience. Performing solo, Churchill delivers the songs in their purest form, just a voice, unconventional chord progressions, and alternate guitar tunings. Deeply inspired by Melbourne’s old-time scene, they also perform as a stringband trio gathered around a single condenser microphone. When joined by the full band, the arrangements bloom into a grand, spellbinding wall of sound. Banjo, viola, accordion, and acoustic guitar interweave with a rhythmic backbone of bass and drums, all elevated by rich, three-part harmonies. With a vast back catalogue of poosongs already earmarked for future stringband reimagining, Flora continues to evolve, proving that home isn’t just a place in the hills, but a feeling carried forward.
@flora_andtheband
Bendigo native singer-songwriter Xanthe Thorpe has been surrounded by live music since her birth. Growing up in a musical family, she began performing locally at around 14, developing her voice through bands playing everything from jazz and funk to rock and beyond. In 2026, Xanthe shifted focus to become a solo acoustic performer, bringing that broad musical background to a mix of acoustic covers and original songs. With a love for exploring different genres and a passion for sharing music, she brings a wealth of experience and a fresh perspective to the solo stage.
The Old Church on the Hill is on Djaara Country – the land of the Dja Dja Wurrung people and is located on the corner of Harkness and Russell Streets, Quarry Hill, Bendigo.
The Singer/Songwriter Showcase events, staged at the Old Church by the Bendigo Blues & Roots crew on a semi-regular basis, are an opportunity to enjoy a House Concert vibe in a public venue. The door charge is kept as low as possible to ensure accessibility to all. Under 12s free and, although drinks are available for sale, the focus is on THE MUSIC.
Proceeds from drink sales go to supporting the Old Church crew and their many worthy initiatives.
We look forward to your company for an intimate concert experience like you’ve likely never experienced before.