Pot'n'Kettle came to the conclusion that they were exactly that after playing a beautifully intimate gig for an audience of 20 in an impeccable sushi bar in Castlemaine called Run Sushi Run. :) The audience were as taken by the out-takes as the in and as engaged by the energetic musings between these two as they were soothed and excited by their musical marriage.
Since then, the harmony has only yet deepened and Penny Larkins and Carl Pannuzzo have decided to call themelves by their names, having been more widely recognised as the truthful and creative talents that they are in the world of folk and independent creativities. Their world-class musicianship is met with a humility that breaks down the stigma of the stage, such that their casual but considered and sometimes vulnerable offerings are received by an often captivated and private sense of audience.
Among their own shows, festivals, house concerts and guest appearances, they have also supported the likes of Eddi Reader, Jose Feliciano, Nano Stern, Michael Kennedy and Simon Nield, who also for the most-part, recorded and played on their debut CD 'Black...and Blue'.
Increasingly popular workshop facilitators and choir leaders, their generous and safe-space nature and energy has seen some beautiful results from many high profile events nationally, including the Sydney Childrens Festival, the Woodford Folk Festival Fire Event Choir, the Daylesford Singers Festival (all invited back for a 2nd year), many creative retreats such as Rhythmsong, Summersong and Wintersong, and more recently the Boite Schools Chorus and Melbourne Millennium Chorus massed choirs, 'Build-a-song' workshops for the ' Casey Sings' Winter Arts Festival and numerous 'Big Sing' workshops and guest facilitation invitations for great events such as Vocal Nosh and The Victorian Arts Centre kids program.
Continuing to perform at festivals nation-wide and special artistic explorations such as the recent Quiet Music Festival, Punctum Inc's 'Inhabit' series at the Abbotsford Convent and Music for the Soul series, Penny and Carl consistently renew and develop their own creative merits as well as reflect superbly on their collaborations with other artists.
Carl Pannuzzo (Totally Gourdgeous, Acapelicans, Checkerboard) and Penny Larkins (Salvation Jane, Aimless, Mamma Mia!) have arrived at this hotspot of creative co-operation from two very different journeys but golly, it's lucky they did.
Creatively in performance they are now working beyond their rich and humble duo, in a plethora of genres! In the last 2 years we have seen them being a dynamic harmony duo for Jo Jo Smith, the Zoe Frater Quintet and being the disco king and queen of Castlemaine in Uke N' Dance as well as the closing party of the Castlemaine State Festival. Dinner in a Dry Dam (for Punctum live arts) an exquisite entirely sung pocket opera for double bass and 2 voices saw them recently receive a standing ovation as part of The Big West Festival. The show is looking to continue touring in 2010 and beyond.
Local to their Victorian Goldfields abode, Penny and Carl host a beautiful series of intimate music called 'The Quiet Place' at a re-designed Theatre Royal in Castlemaine. This 150 year old theatre becomes transformed into the perfect setting for guest artists such as Lucie Thorne, Sally Dastey, Liz Frencham, to name a few, to find a rich and deep soundspace under the exquisite hand and ear of sound engineer Mark Woods. The audience up close in a cabaret-style setting, receive the best of each specially selected artist. The nights are as anticipated as warmly remembered. Look out for the next season, a show a month during Winter. www.theatreroyal.info