Xani Kolac

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Biography

“Of all the countless violinists I’ve played with over the years, Xani stands out as one of the greatest. She’s got that rare thing called soul.” – Jens Lekman

Celebrated violinist, artist, and intrepid songwriter, Xani Kolac has boldly navigated the Australian music scene, genre-hopping seamlessly since her breakout with indie band The Twoks over a decade ago. By no accident Xani has carved out and refined her own unique corner of the industry along the way.

Musician, improviser, collaborator, singer, songwriter and principally an electric violin player, Xani approaches music making from so many levels the outcome is something distinct, venturing into the spaces between pop, jazz, electronic and chamber. A musician of the highest regard, Xani’s live performance is unforgettable. With electronic effect pedals and live looping charging her highly improvised live sets. Xani’s is a repertoire coloured by the ferocity of her instrumental output and shaded by a deep creativity, her earnest voice, and pure joy.

“Will she be dancing wildly today, or riffing on the loops her fans have sent in for an improv jazz session? Playing violin or singing? She’s been a pandemic panacea for me.”

– Cat Woods, The Guardian, November 2020

Whether a small steamy jazz venue, packed theatre, nightclub, or her bedroom Twitching out to thousands of followers, XANI’s art is unwaveringly limitless, and she’s always visibly enjoying every minute of it. It doesn’t take audiences long to discover why she is one of the most admired musicians of her generation and seen so much success in her short career, including winner for Best Musician at the 2022 Music Victoria Awards.

“It’s rare to hear a musician who plays as gloriously and with as much passion as Xani. We’ve been waiting for this album for years.”

– Clare Bowditch

In just a decade, an AU Review Best Live Instrumentalist and Music Victoria Outstanding Woman in Music award nominee, XANI has performed and collaborated alongside Australian music pioneers Clare Bowditch, Tim Rogers, Jens Lekman, Kate Ceberano, taken stage at Hamer Hall and Edinburgh Fringe Festival, on SBS’s RocKwiz, and in the multi-award-winning productions Come From Away and Girl From the North Country and released three original self-produced records. Xani was awarded "Music Victoria's "Best Musician" in 2022.

A renowned musician, consummate performer, and exploratory songwriter with a fearless duty to her craft. XANI’s quest to create intelligent accessible, highly danceable music, and to put her violin at the helm, is earning her exclusive rites into the rich tapestry of the Australian music scene.

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