Festival 2005 - Performers

Performers for 2005 will include:

Kim Barlow (Canada)

Performers’ Names & Instruments: Kim Barlow guitar, vocals, John: guitar Andrea, keyboard

Bio: Kim was born in Quebec, and raised in rural Nova Scotia. She graduated from Florida State University with a BA in music. She taught herself to play the banjo beside a campfire in the Yukon and from there embarked on an eccentric musical career that has taken her from Inuvik to the UK; and from Martha’s Vineyard to the Vancouver Folk Music Festival. Along the way Kim produced 3 CDs and one son. Her songs are wry and impassioned, deft distillations of the beautiful and absurd world she inhabits. Playing guitar, banjo, and cello, the Juno nominee uses her training as a classical musician to create complex and unexpected settings for her fables of lost children, plaints of lust, and songs of protest. Kim has also written and performed music for theatre, dance, storytelling and film.

Webpage: www.caribourecords.com

Bernard Bolan

Performers’ Names & Instruments: Bernard Bolan

Bio: From the first concert at the opening of the Sydney Opera House, through all the major Australian and New Zealand folk festivals and countless concerts and club shows, Bernard Bolan has made himself a National Treasure with his unmistakable blend of words, wit and finely crafted music. Whether he sings of his dogs, his loves, his life as a city lawyer or getting his equipment caught in lift doors, a Bernard Bolan performance is an unforgettable experience.

Webpage: www.cordiallyyours.com.au/BernardBolan/

Blackwood

Performers’ Names & Instruments: Andy Rigby: harp, flute, whistles, vocals, James Rigby: guitar, cuatro, fiddle, vocals, Bruce Rigby: mandolin, vocals, Jane Thompson: vocals, whistles, accordion, maracas

Bio: Blackwood make sweet yet powerful music, from the tin whistle jive of the South African townships to the harp jaropos of Venezuela and a hundred places in between……………Songs of social justice sung in 4 part harmony, all in Blackwood's inimitable style: "Warm and engagin, one of the Australian festival scene's favourite acts." Steve Barnew, Fairbridge Festival, WA.

Webpage: www.makingmusic.com.au

Carus & The True Believers

Performers’ Names & Instruments: Carus Thompson: vocals, guitar, harmonica, Jason McGann: drums, Andrew Fry: bass, John Bedgood: piano, mandoliln, violin, Mo Wilson: keyboards & Stu MacLaughlan (mixer)

Bio: Carus has been a part of the new Roots-Folk scene since day one and with its explosion his fan base has grown enormously. Much the same as fellow West Oz success stries; The Waifs and John Butler - Carus & The True Believers level of grass roots support continues to soar as proven when their 'Ain't No Crime" single recently took out the Number 1 spot on Triple J;s Net 50. They were also chosen for Triple J's "Next Crop" in 2005 band to watch! 2004 included 2 tours to Europe and much applauded shows at Port Fairy and The Falls Festivals. As an independent artist, Carus has shown that you don't need a record company to get airplay or to pull big crowds or even to tour internationally. He and his band the Ture Believers are sure to be a standout at Yackandandah 2005.

Webpage: www.carus.com.au

The Counterfeit Gypsies

Performers’ Names & Instruments: Malini Chidzey: violin, Ashley Jones: violin, Kath Paal: flute, Brendan Rick: guitar, Chloe Smith: upright bass, Ben Charnley: drums

Bio: Counterfeit Gypsies are a gutsy six-piece band playing a blend of Gypsy and Klezmer tunes from Eastern Europe. Highly danceable and energetic, this music dares you to defy the urge to boogie. Known to incite pole climbing, chair throwing, ankle straining and other minor public disturbances, The Counterfeit Gypsies never fail to put on a wild show!

Webpage: www.thecounterfeitgypsies.com

Dadscrampy

Performers’ Names & Instruments: Andrew Holding: vocals, fiddle, banjo, whistles, Owen Holding: vocals, mandolin, guitar, Sacha Spinks: vocals, guitar, Sam Holding: bodhran, mouth organ, vocals, Adrian Baker: bass, vocals

Bio: For the last three years Dadscrampy have been building a reputation in North East Victoria as an energetic folk band, playing traditional Irish tunes and Australian folk songs. Their epertoire includes Irish Jigs and Reels, many of the old favourite Irish folk songs, Australian bush music, a few originals and several songs about whiskey.

Webpage: www.dadscrampy.com

Festival Comedy Company

Performers’ Names & Instruments: Peter Willey guitar, S Sorrensen guitar and ukelele, Alan Glover, harmonica

Bio: These guys are hilarious. They have performed at the Edinburgh Fringe, countless UK and Australian comedy clubs, Melbourne and Sydney Comedy Festivals, Woodford and Port Fairy Folk Festivals and the odd dody buck's night. Their routines have rendered audiences helpless with laughter and their wives helpless with despair. Their jokes have not been tested on animals. They've come to Yack because their partners want them out of the house.

More info here

Webpage: www.willey.com.au

Bob Fox (UK)

Performers’ Names & Instruments: Bob Fox, vocals & guitar

Bio: Bob Fox has been well established on the UK and International folk scene since the mid 70's as a singer/guitarist performing traditional and contemporary songs. Nominated as best folk singer in BBC Folk Awards fro the las two years as well as nominations for best original song and best traditional song. "Possibly the most complete British Folk artist." Daily Telegraph. "One of the best voices in England." Ralph McTell

Webpage: www.bobfoxmusic.com

Fretwork

Performers’ Names & Instruments: Gerry McKeague: guitar, whistle and vocal, Tracy Gormley: fiddle and vocal, Jamie Molloy: Concertina, guitar and vocal, Caroline Frawley: button accordion

Bio: Fretwork: Originally from Belfast and Co. Clare but now living in Bright, Gerry McKeague, vocals and guitar, Tracey Gormley, vocals and fiddle and Caroline Frawley, button accordion have joined Corryong local, Jamie Molloy, to perform a blend of Irish reels and jigs, and songs from a wide variety of sources. All are experienced players with a wide repertoire of popular and not so well known tunes and songs from Ireland. They have recently been playing together in sessions at festivals in Victoria eg. Beechworth, Maldon, and in their lounge rooms.

Rosie Haden and the Slidewinders

Performers’ Names & Instruments: Rosie Haden: vocals, rhythm guitar, John Fairbridge: slide and lead guitar, Brian Dwyer: drums, Johs Lewis: harmony vocals

Bio: A Yackandandah local, Rosie's country-blues flavoured songs have been described as full of lust, desire and shady pasts - sung with a sultry and passionate voice. Rosie has previously performed solo at the Yack Festival but this year is debuting with her band the Slidewinders.

Maldon Folk Festival(2004) stated that Rosie "has a voice that will have you trembling at the knees."

Sal Kimber and Friends

Performers’ Names & Instruments: Sal Kimber, guitar , mandolin, banjo & vocal, Meri Greenwood, flute, vocals, Johnny Watson: guitar, banjo, Tully Sumner: guitar, vocals
Bio: Sal Kimber, guitar, mandolin & vocal, and Meri Greenwood, flute, grew up in our region and return to Yackandandah to entertain us. They are a young, high energy, talented duo who have come back to their childhood home to show us just how much they have learned out in the big wide world.

Lyndal and Strat

Performers’ Names & Instruments: Lyndal Chambers: vocal, accordion (piano and button), flute, recorder, trombone, Brian (Strat) Strating: vocal, fiddle, mandolin, clarinet, saxophone

Bio: For over 20 years Lydal and Strat performed with the highly acclaimed Gipplsland folk group Boola Boola. Both talented singer/songwriters and multi-instrumentalists, they have performed at most major festivals within Australia and have toured internationally on a number of occasions. They have performed throughout Europe, Asia and Cananda wheter they have collected many tunes and songs and gained insights into a range of genres and styles. Strat and Lydal are also enthusiastic session musicians who love to be involved in spontaneous music making, either on stage or informally after hours around the bar or kitchen table.

McAlpine's Fusiliers

Performers’ Names & Instruments: Leigh Schroeter: guitar, vocals, spoons, Adam Clusker: fiddle, bagpipes, Sean Lachlan: drums, bodhran, Ben Henzgen: bass, vocals

Bio: McAlpine's Fusiliers expand on the tradition of Irish, Australian and American roots music to form a powerful cocktail of "Irish-Bush-Billy". Drawing on influences such as the Dubliners, Johnny Cash, The Clash, Weddings Parties Anything and ACDC. Their songs are honest accounts of love, loss, drink'n 'til dawn and the odd jail break, Irish ditties with colonial brashness and Melboune bitter fuelled breakdowns.

Madviolet (Canada)

Performers’ Names & Instruments: Brenley McEachern: acoustic guitar and vocals, Lisa MacIsaac: violin, acoustic guitar and vocals

Bio: Two Canadian girls. One's a brown-eyed raspy voiced, guitar slingin' blond. One's a blue-eyed, axe bearing, fiddle playin' brunette. The heart of Madviolet is folk sensibility, but the fringes touch upon soome alt-county, rock and pop. With a British produced record, "Worry the Jury" featuring Sinead O'Connor's backing band and lush harmonies, Brenley McEachern and Lisa MacIsaac have created their own fresh organic sound.

Webpage: www.madviolet.com

Jack Mancor

Performers’ Names & Instruments: Jack Mancor: vocals, guitar, steel guitar, mandolin, harmonica, foot percussion

Bio: Jack is an acoustic singer/songwriter performing on acoustic and National steel guitar, harmonica and foot percussion. Playing in a folk/blues style, my songs reflect and are inspired by my travels, social issues, working ife, the struggles, the laughter and the love of people he's met.

The Millers Tale

Performers’ Names & Instruments: Bec Quade: vocals, electric bass, piano accordian, John Maclean: vocals, acoustic guitar, mandolin

Bio: Melbourne based duo The Millers Tale - Rebecca Quade & John Maclean - present an irresistibly intimate blend of warm acoustic melodies woven with sweet vocals and magical harmonies. Their simplistic approach to live shows - utilising just acoustic guitar, accordion and vocals - belies the beautiful sounds they are able to create, through a wonderful collection of pop, folk and country infused songs.

Webpage: www.themillerstale.net

Milk

Performers’ Names & Instruments: Helen Begley: vocals, guitar, accordion; Emily Hayes: vocals, percussion; Greg Craske: double bass; Lenore Ellett: violin.

Bio: Melbourne based band Milk present songs that take audiences from the streets of Melbourne to the subways of New York, from cheeky cabaret to finger lickin' country and from original folk tunes to bluesy gospel covers.

Webpage: www.milkthebandd.com.au

Jessica Paige

Performers’ Names & Instruments: Jessica Paige, acoustic guitar, vocals

Bio: Jessica Paige is a Melbourne singer/songwriter who has recnetly won The Ranges Songsmith Award and The Hanging Rock Busker's Festival. She has charisma, a wonderful melodic sense and a great groove with her acoustic guitar style.

Webpage: www.jessicapaige.net

 

John Palmes (Alaska)

Performers’ Names & Instruments: I play anything with strings. Mouthbow, the world’s oldest stringed instrument, is the subject of my most recent recording, Mouthbow:Small Voices. Mostly I play guitar and fiddle and sing with both.

Bio: John Palmes is from Alaska. As well as being a great singer/songwriter, he speaks and sings in Tlingit, and plays the traditional Tlingit mouthbow. From Juneau Alaska, John Palmes plays fiddle, guitar, kalimba and mouthbow, the world’s oldest stringed instrument. His songs include Gospel music in Tlingit, and songs about salmon fishing and the love life of insects. He teaches workshops on Harmony Singing and Making and Playing the Mouthbow. While he is here he would like to learn some Australian songs, play with some new musicians and see the local flora and fauna.

Webpage: http://www.efolkmusic.org/ArtMusic/ViewArtist.asp?Artist=John+Palmes&AID=79&bA=True

Martin Pearson

Performers’ Names & Instruments: Martin Pearson

Bio: Martin is a multiple choice performer, please pick one or more of the following: a) Stand up Comedian b) Satirist and parody writer c) Folksinger d) Poet e) Debater f) Storyteller g) A cricket ground in Melbourne. Martin is a comedian with a keen eye for making everyday events so mundane that they are laughable. A parody writer of renown and a singer of some notes. Martin is also a folk singer, who longs for serious recognition in much the same way as a flatworm longs for reeboks. He can on occasion, and in the true folk tradition, sing songs so maudlin that audience members may attempt to end it all by throwing themselves into a pint of guinness. JUDY SMALL: "Martin Pearson writes songs that tickle your funny bone and your fancy but hit a nerve every time. We like him because he makes us laugh, but also because he makes us think"

Webpage: www.7thdimension.com.au/index.cfm?artist_details=4

Planet Woman (NZ)

Performers’ Names & Instruments: Lorraine Jordan: vocals, bouzouki, guitar, bodhran, Gill Hunter: vocals, keys, accordion, guitar, Ora Barlow: vocals, log drum, bass drum, guitar, ukulele, Messepa Eruera: vocals, djembe, log drum, bass drum, Maea Martin: vocals, guitar, log drum, bass drum

Bio: Planet Woman is a powerful collaboration of female musicians from both sides of the glove. Messepa Eruera, Ora Barlow and Maea Martin - Maori/Samoan, perform original and traditional songs from the Pacific, featuring log drums, bass drums, ukelele, percussion, guitars and voices. UK based Lorraine Jordan and Gill Hunter (Ireland/Scotland) peform original Celtic influenced songs with piano, accordion, bouzouki, tin whistle, guitar and voices. Together they fuse their music, creating a global world music sound. They have performed at WOMAD UK, Sidmouth Festival and Edinburgh Fringe Festival and have released a collaborative CD "From Celtic Roots to Oceanic Soul."

Webpage: www.planetwoman.net

Sheila-Na-Gig

Performers’ Names & Instruments: Kerryn Beatty: vocalist, guitar, keyboard, Carm Hogan: vocalist, percussion

Bio: This local vocal duo's storytelling through song, captures a perspective rarely heard, reflecting the subtleties of the human condition. They act as a voice through which we can share in the emotion and experiences fo rural women. With a pinch of satire, their performances inspire, delight and put goose bumps on your bum.

Soursob Bob

Performers’ Names & Instruments: Soursob Bob guitar & vocals

Bio: Soursob Bob is a down to earth Australian story teller, with an acoustic guitar and limited vocal range. He performed in 2002 at the National Folk Festival and he's a regular at comedy and musical venues in his hometown of Adelaide. He is both a songwriter and a camel racer, but after a near fatal camelling accident, finds folk music safer."Soursob Bob is unllike anything else in Adelaide. ..Nothing is sacred in Sousob Bob's world, as he puts his spin on everyday occurances, the unusual, even the political." Adelaide Advertiser.

Tecoma

Bio: Amira Pyliotis from the Northern Territory is Tecoma. Drawing as mujch from roots, jass and contemporary stree music cultures, as it does from the rich Arabic and European folk heritage, at its heart, Tecoma is folk in the truest sense of the word. This is music that knows its history but at the same time is elbow-deep engaged and enamoured with life unfolding all around it.

Twice Shy

Bio: Twice Shy is an Albury district based Duo specialising in original and classical country/folk style music. Twice Shy have become regular performers at many concerts and venues in the North East and recently appeared live on ABC Radio.

Bruce Watson

Performers’ Names & Instruments: Bruce Watson: vocals, guitar and ukulele

Bio: Bruce's music relfects life, ordinary people, politics and the environment, with a strong Australian flavour, presented with a livley sense of humour and a warm stage presence. His performances are always entertaining and full of surprises. A well respected songwriter with satirical genius and sharp eye for the humouress.

Webpage: www.geocities.com/brucewatson1

Chris White & Dave Diprose

Performers’ Names & Instruments: Dave Diprose: vocals, guitar, resophonic slide guitar, 12 string guitar, mandolin, harmonica, Chris White: Vocals, guitar, mandolin, resophonic slide guitar, banjo

Bio: Chris White and Dave Diprose perform an exciting mix of tradional and origianl material in the styles of the legendary country bluesmaen. They humourously address the dangers of all manner of excesses, and Australian themes on a wide variety of acoustic instruments. Chris and Dave are highly regarded songwriters: Chris' "Crop Dusters Blues" is the joint winner 2004 Victorian Blues song of the Year.

Webpage: www.chriswhite.com.au