Miranda - Episode 2
Miranda is an emerging Illawarra folk trio blending warm storytelling, gentle harmonies and banjo-driven charm. Formed through local community connections, they create simple, heartfelt songs shaped by friendship, shared creativity and the Gong’s grassroots music scene.
Full Video - Premiers December 10th - 7pm
Miranda
Miranda are one of the Illawarra’s warmest and most refreshing new folk outfits — a trio built on friendship, honesty, and the simple joy of making music together. Formed almost by chance after a conversation at a local climbing gym, the band brings together Jodie, Freddy and Jess, each adding their own stories, humour and musical quirks to a sound that’s charming, unpolished in the best way, and full of heart.
Their style sits in the world of gentle folk — stripped back, story-driven and lyrically centred. Drawing inspiration from artists like Kimya Dawson, Joan Baez, Ora Cogan and Angie McMahon, Miranda craft songs that are simple by intention, allowing space for their voices, banjo lines, and shared storytelling to shine.
The band’s creative hub is Jess’s shed: a humble practice space that has become a place of magic, nerves, and unexpected breakthroughs. Their songwriting process is collaborative at its core. One member will bring an idea — sometimes a nearly finished piece, sometimes a rough spark — and the others instinctively build around it. It’s spontaneous, trusting, and surprisingly cohesive, even with Freddy still new to the banjo after adopting the instrument (literally) from home.
Since forming, Miranda have quickly built a following within the Gong’s grassroots music community. Their recent performance at Van Q stands as a highlight: a full-room singalong, a crowd-shared tambourine, and the unmistakable warmth of a lounge-room-style gig that captures exactly who they are.
Their name comes from an in-joke turned destiny — suggested by a friend named Miranda over drinks one night — and the band have embraced the playful chaos of the moment ever since. Their dream gig locations range from local venues to, hilariously, Miranda Shopping Centre in Sydney.
Looking ahead, Miranda are preparing to enter the studio to record their first professional releases. For them, the next chapter is about capturing their sound in a way that can be shared far beyond the shed — something real, lasting, and meaningful enough to one day show their kids.
Their featured track in this episode, “Mandarin,” reflects everything that makes Miranda special: a simple moment on a back deck turned into a warm, layered folk piece that brings out each member’s strengths and leaves the listener feeling gently uplifted.
Miranda are a reminder that community, courage and sincerity still have a place in modern folk — and that sometimes, all you need is a shed, a banjo, and a few good friends.