From Wicklow to Sydney: The World of Bonniesongs
A POSTCARD FROM BONNIESONGS
Words from a life lived in movement
In a sun-drenched coastal nook of Sydney, where sandstone cliffs drop into cobalt surf and humpback whales breach on the horizon, Irish-born musician Bonnie Stewart—better known as Bonniesongs—writes to us from her adopted home in Clovelly. Wrapped in an Aran jumper and warmed by winter light, she sends a message that feels more like a love letter to place, presence, and the magic of movement.
Originally from Wicklow, Stewart has made an extraordinary journey—both geographically and creatively. From studying jazz drumming in New York to jamming in experimental bands across Sydney’s genre-blurring music scene, her path has been one of constant curiosity and quiet reinvention. As Bonniesongs, her music flits between spectral folk and exploratory soundscapes, capturing the essence of the places she’s passed through—from the haunted hush of Lake Mungo to the dripping ferns of New Zealand’s Waikato valleys.
With her second album Strangest Feeling on the horizon, and a CV that includes collaborations with avant-garde folk duos, circus shows in Queensland, and music video storyboarding sessions with ten-year-olds, Stewart’s life is a collage of encounters, landscapes, and improvisations. This feature traces the emotional map of an artist who moves lightly but listens deeply—carrying her home in voice memos, herbs, tarot cards, and the swooping joy of a scooter ride.
From koala-filled treehouses to witchy rituals on the road, here’s Bonnie Stewart—an artist whose compass always points to the beautifully strange.
Where in the world are you right now, and what’s the mood of the place?
I’m in a beachside town called Clovelly in Sydney, Australia. It’s winter here now, so it’s a clear, sunny but chill day. Wearing sunnies, scarf, hat and an Irish Aran jumper! The mood is chill(:
You’ve lived in Australia for over a decade now. What still feels new, strange, or otherworldly about it? Are there particular moments when you think, This could never happen back in Ireland?
Yes! Definitely being in the bush, where things can sometimes feel a bit different energetically. There’s more of a sense of connection with the land and ancestors there. My otherworldly experience has been at Lake Mungo. Mungo is where some of the oldest remains of Aboriginal people have been found. The landscape is sand and dirt, with emus and roos running and hopping around. It’s a very magical place. It even inspired a song of mine called ‘Sand Dunes’.
You’re often touring or making music on the move — do you write differently when you’re in transit or far from home?
What does movement unlock in your creativity?
Often, I am collaborating while on tour, but that’s most often in an improvised way. In a way that feels the same anywhere – meeting up and just playing! I think generally, new places can fuel my creativity. I love being in new surroundings. It’s a great shake-up and helps me think differently than when at home.
Your recent tracks were shaped by time in New Zealand — how did that landscape seep into the songs? Do you have a vivid memory from that time that ended up in the music?
Yeah, I wrote my song ‘Bittersweet’ on Mount Pirongia, looking down on the valley and farmlands of Waikato. We were staying with my partner’s family, including his 10-year-old nephew Manu. Writing the song, I imagined a music video where we all played witches and were chasing Manu around the bush and pines, trying to put a spell on him! I wrote ‘Olive Oil’l in our friend Jake’s house in Wellington. I remember Jake telling us to make ourselves at home and help ourselves. All they had was olive oil and bread, which happens to be one of my favourite snacks. They lived in an old wooden cold house on top of a hill. – Classic Wellington!
Are there specific places that have become spiritual or creative landmarks for you? A town, a coast, a studio, a hotel, a café… somewhere you go back to in your mind?
I first got really into writing songs as a solo artist when I was doing farm work outside Byron Bay, NSW, near Minyon Falls. This sounds like a dream, but I happened to be living in a treehouse on a mango tree in a permaculture farm and eco community. I had a small, simple wooden hut on the tree where I’d check for snakes and spiders before I got into bed. I sat looking out to the stunning valley of tropical bush and rainforest and wrote songs with my mandolin. I try to access that place in my mind as much as I can. This was the first and only time I’ve seen and heard koalas in the wild, too!
Do you travel light, or do you carry ‘home’ with you in certain objects, routines, or sounds? What’s always in your suitcase or your tour bag?
I’m pretty practical when packing, as you gotta save those $ wherever you can! Australia is a big expensive country to get around! I guess I always have headphones and a notebook. I never have music saved to my phone these days, so when I’m travelling, I find myself listening to voice memos of old ideas, rehearsals and clips I’ve recorded of my dad singing or birds… I also love smells, so I’ll usually have a little bottle of essential oil of some kind to dab and sniff every now and then.
Which part of the world has surprised you most with its energy, people or pace?
I visited Vietnam for the first time last year. I loved it so much! I knew I would like it, but it surprised me how much and what things I enjoyed… I’d never been on a motorbike before, and that was a real highlight. Riding in crazy traffic, delicious food and friendly people. There was a lot of joy to be found there. It was also so much more lush and green than I imagined.
A POSTCARD FROM BONNIESONGS: WORDS FROM A LIFE LIVED IN MOVEMENT
Do you have any rituals when arriving in a new place? Things you do to get grounded, inspired or tuned in?
I can get pretty witchy… I usually take my sage and palo santo to a new place when I can. If it’s with friends or a band, I’ll bring my tarot cards so we can all get deep and make witchy bonds.
What’s your favourite way to explore a new city or place when you’re touring? Are you a wanderer, a map-marker, or do you chase local food, record shops, and swimming spots?
I actually really LOVE electric scooters! They bring me such joy and a sense of freedom and aliveness I can’t explain… I’ll have my eyes peeled for those where it’s safe to do so, then go on a scoot ’n search for swims, bookshops and chai tea. I was touring in Townsville, Queensland, a few years ago doing a circus show, and the whole crew had the best time scooting and swimming every day!
Is there a place you haven’t been yet that you feel an instinctive pull toward?
A place I have a pull back to is Scotland… So many isles to adventure and whiskeys to sip. I’d also love to get to Sweden someday. It’s a place I’ve almost gone to a lot… I sing a few songs in Swedish in another band I’m in called Runa Cara. I’ve a suspicion that I’ve got some Swedish blood in me as I connect with the music so much.
From Wicklow to Sydney, via Wellington and everywhere in between — how do you define ‘home’ now?
I saw something recently that said it’s only possible to have a sense of home in up to 3 places… I don’t think I could take more than this! Once you set up home, it’s a home for life.
A POSTCARD FROM BONNIESONGS: WORDS FROM A LIFE LIVED IN MOVEMENT
Finally, if you could send us one photo and one short line that captures your current surroundings, what would you show us, and what would the postcard say?
This salty, sunny, silly place gives me a sense of home. It fills me up and comforts me. It constantly inspires my songs, music videos and self.
Dear you,
Currently at home in my favourite Sydney suburb, Clovelly. The sky is blue, the air is cool, and I can smell the ocean. I visit my fishy friends at the popular concrete beach every day that I can. One of my good pals, the blue grouper fish, swam with me yesterday, and at this time of year, we can see humpback whales flapping their tails in the distance. The best days are when we can sit at the local bowling club and have a beer on the hill, looking out at Bondi. You’ll have to visit me soon. x
Bonniesongs’ album ’Strangest Feeling’ is out now on Impressed Recordings
