Madeline Leman (album launch)
Northcote Social Club (Northcote, VIC)
Sunday, 26 July 2026 4:00 pm
Madeline Leman and her band will play the Northcote Social Club stage for the first time to celebrate the release of her highly anticipated sophomore album 'Ripen on the Vine' with support from local favourites Girlatones.
Following the success of her 2019 debut 'Nobody’s Fool' (celebrated on Triple R fms ‘Soundscape’), and her 2021 single 'This is Living' which debuted at number 1 on the AMRAP chart, 'Ripen on the Vine' represents a striking sonic evolution.
A beautifully rich and sonically distinct collection of alt-country and indie folk tracks, Ripen on the Vine explores themes of longing, disillusionment, hope and change. Writing this album helped Madeline navigate her Saturn return and grief for a world falling apart. Written partly during lockdown and then during her journey toward motherhood, this album has survived a pandemic, pregnancy, matrescence and a tree change. It is a symbol of hope and of maternal strength. As much as the world may have wanted her to fade into motherhood, this album became an anchor that allowed her to use motherhood as a vehicle for rebirth and creative evolution.
"This album is a step closer to the sound I've always been chasing. It represents a musical maturity that I'm really proud of and a vulnerability that is slightly terrifying but ultimately really powerful.”
Drawing on inspiration from the likes of Judee Sill, Carole King and Todd Rundgren, Madeline strives to balance the playfulness and storytelling of country music, the warmth and familiarity of vintage pop hooks with the lyrical depth and pathos of the folk tradition. What has resulted is an album that is as modern as it is timeless.
Madeline's songs are brought to life by her rhinestone studded band. With harmonies by Ruby Jones, drums by Dylan Young (Way Dynamic), lead guitar by Jesse Williams (Leah Senior), bass by Sal Wonder (Chinabeach, Pat Wilson) and drums by Nat Riley (Baby Blue) Madeline is backed by some of the most innovative and beloved players out of Melbourne.
The singles off the record have been widely supported by community and ABC radio, with alt-folk dreamscape 'Steeple Mountain Dream' named in PBS FMs top ten tracks of the week.
Madeline and her band will be joined by local indie favourites Girlatones (Jesse Williams and Leah Senior) who will play a supporting set on the night. Jesse, the lead singer of Girlatones, recorded and mixed Ripen on the Vine in his studio on the surfcoast and will make a guest appearance during Madeline's set.
"It feels really special having Jesse and his band play with us on the night. His ability to capture such a rich and honest sound was pivotal in making the album what it is, not to mention his friendship and support along the way."
Jesse (Girlatones) writes songs that are at once funny and heartbreaking, naïve and clever. He writes great melodies – simple folk-pop kind of things – and sings them in a voice that is always searching earnestly for the right note, musically and emotionally. The band has a charming sound – loose, with bright electric and acoustic guitars, occasional organ and a solid beat. What they most remind me of soundwise is probably the second Go-Betweens single (...) Girlatones have the same sunny tones and colours – lots of yellows and oranges – and a similar endearing awkwardness. It’s the awkwardness of innocence, and it’s not something that can be faked. (Rhythms 2020).
Join Madeline and her 6 piece band for a late afternoon of music, connection and celebration at this iconic venue.
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THIS SHOW IS STRICTLY 18+
Northcote Social Club strives to create a safe space that everyone can enjoy.
Crowd surfing & dangerous behaviour will result in removal from the venue.
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