Cathie O'Sullivan

Cathie O'Sullivan is an Australian harpist, singer, composer, and pianist whose musical journey weaves together the threads of folk tradition and contemporary exploration. Known for her work both as a solo artist and with the innovative folk group The Larrikins, O'Sullivan has a high, clear voice and a knack for arranging traditional songs with fresh, beautiful instrumental harmonies—often playing the metal-strung Irish harp and banjo herself. Her recordings, such as *Dark Pleasures & Angels*, *Silly Winds*, and *Down By The Green Bushes*, often spotlight her original arrangements of classic folk tunes and original compositions, drawing inspiration from Australian lyricists like Banjo Paterson and Henry Lawson.

Though deeply immersed in music in the 1970s and 1980s, Cathie led a parallel life in academia, earning degrees in pharmacy, social anthropology, and later a PhD in Film and Cultural Studies, even contributing to academic publishing and teaching at the Australian National University. Still, she remained a beloved figure in the folk revival, celebrated for her ability to both honor tradition and push its boundaries, collaborating with notable musicians including Cleis Pearce, Declan Affley, and others.