Biography

Jesse Lawrance is a songwriter from Castlemaine, Victoria. With roots firmly planted in the Texas songwriter tradition and a deep appreciation for country and Americana, he writes songs that are gritty and poetic. His lyrics combine powerful imagery with deft storytelling to create moving vignettes from the raw materials of life.

Having honed his craft as front man for Melbourne roots outfits The Goodtime Medicine Band and The Bon Tons, Jesse turned to songwriting in earnest in 2020 – you might say manically! The result is an ever-growing catalogue of songs he now shares at venues and festivals across Victoria, solo and as a duo with his partner Honeytree.

His debut album Some Little Town was released in 2024. The single For Better or for Worse, a duet with Honeytree, reached #4 on the Australian Country Radio chart.

In 2025 Jesse won the Roddy Read Songwriting Award at the Maldon Folk Festival, earning him a place on the festival's 2026 bill. He is now writing toward his second album.

Jesse's music evokes a sense of time and place, weaving strong melodies, powerful imagery and authentic storytelling into varied emotional landscapes. A true folk poet, he is earning a reputation as a captivating songwriter and performer.