By Lookout Staff

July 21, 2011 – Get ready to rock Down Under tonight, when the Santa Monica Pier's Twilight Dance Series continues with the youthful sounds of Australia's Missy Higgins and Kim Churchill.

The bands take the stage at 7 p.m. As always, the concert is free.

Both in their early 20s, Higgins and Churchill's musical skills far surpass their years. Their fresh and unique approaches to the folk-rock genre have made them two of their nation's most popular recording and performing artists, and their reputations are quickly spreading throughout the world.

Performing since the age of 13, Higgins is an accomplished singer/songwriter whose sound evokes an emotional range that both comforts and challenges her listeners. Her flowing melodies, spot-on lyrics and honey-like vocals set to a classic, acoustic-rock backbeat have won the respect of many older veterans in the international music scene.

Higgin's 2007 album, On a Clear Night, went triple platinum and helped her win an AIRA award – Australia's version of the Grammys – as Best Female Artist of that year. Her previous recording, Sound of White, also garnered critical and popular acclaim and was the country's best selling album in 2005.

While Higgins excels as a song stylist, Churchill wows audiences as a young master of guitar technique, and he is intent on exploring the instrument's sonic possibilities to the fullest.

His intricate picking patterns, fast melodic runs and innovative style place him among the best finger-style guitarists. At times hammering the strings on the guitar's neck with one hand while using the other to beat the instrument's body like a drum, Churchill will then go on to play full-blown power chords with a slide while blowing harmonica, producing an almost avant gard, folk-orchestra sound.

An avid surfer and skateboarder – a lifestyle which he says is integral to his music – Churchill came to Australia's attention in 2009 as National Youth Folk Artist of the year after busking and traveling throughout the country in a van.

Now in its 27th year, the Twilight Dance Series showcases an eclectic array of some of the best musical acts from throughout the world. Downbeat for the 2011 series is 7 p.m. every Thursday between July 7 and September 8.

Upcoming shows include reggae rockers Slackers and Starpool, July 28, and a special show by Cirque Du Soleil, August 4. The series concludes with a New Orleans funk and blues night, September 8.
With this year’s lineup promising to draw large crowds, pier officials encourage concert goers to walk, bike or ride the Big Blue Bus.
Parking will be available at the beach lot located north of the pier at 1550 Pacific Coast Highway, but the pier itself will be closed to traffic. A bike valet will be available on the bike path on the south side of the pier.

The 2011Twighlight Dance Series is sponsored by One West Bank. Cosponsors of the series include Pacific Park, Bloomingdales, StarLine Tours, the Australian Consulate, Cotton On and the City of Santa Monica. The series is produced by the Santa Monica Pier Restoration Corporation and Ron & Humble.