Bizerka

Bizerka are Melbourne's freshest, most dynamic and craziest band playing the music of Eastern Europe and the Balkans. Bizerka unashamedly play in a very non-traditional style, combining on-stage antics and tall stories to bring relatively unknown tunes to a wider audience in a fun way which still does justice to the cultures they're borrowed from.

Performers: Jody Porter violin, Nick Hagan guitar, Nigel McLaughlin accordion, Francesca McCarten cello, Teal Bain Roben percussion. www.bizerka.com

Anam Cara

Anam Cara is the luscious combination of four very different voices drawn together by their love of harmony, variety and really good coffee. Songs range from contemporary, jazz and blues to traditional folk. Accompanied by guitars and fiddle, lots of soul and wicked humour, their spell is irresistible!

Performers: Racheal Butler guitar, vocals; Avril Lambert guitar, fiddle, vocals; Charisse Venables vocals; Clare Hynes vocals.

Brent Parlane

Originally from NZ, Brent Parlane has been described as a "National Treasure" but he's really just a very fine singer / songwriter. He has been performing for many years, travelling throughout the USA and UK. The warmth and wisdom in his songs tell a tale of the ups and downs of love and life. You'll laugh, you'll cry and you'll go home feeling less alone.

Perfomer: Brent Parlane www.myspace.com/
brentparlane

Bluegrass Parkway

Bluegrass Parkway has led the charge throughout Australia in exploring the origins of bluegrass music and following their ground breaking, triumphant tour of the United States, the band has extended this exploration even further. Who influenced the creators of the Bluegrass Genre? What was on the radio in the mountains during the 1920s and 30s? Who were the Greats listening to? Catch this amazing band and find out the answers!

Performers: Paul Duff mandolin, Maria Duff double bass & fiddle, Donal Baylor fiddle, Mick O'Neill Banjo, Guy Paris guitar. www.bluegrassparkway.com

Bohemian Nights

Melbourne violinist Ernie Gruner and accordionist / singer Phil Carroll play Gypsy, Klezmer, Middle-Eastern, French, Italian, Russian, jazz and tango music which range from soulful to wild. They have both studied overseas, and play and record together on larger bands (Klezmeritis, Yalla!, Flirting Mazurkas). Concert highlights include the National FolkFestival and National Multicultural Festival, and In NZ, the Wellington Folk Festival and Christchurch Jazz Festival. Ernie specialises in Jewish music and Phil specialises in Middle-Eastern music. They have worked together with theatre and dance events for Russian, Armenian, Jewish, Turkish, French and Italian and other productions and communities, as well as parties and weddings.

Performers: Ernie Gruner violin, mandolin, vocals; Phil Carroll accordion, vocals, duduk, ney. www.erniegruner.com/
gypsynights.html

Cecile Corbel

Cecile was born in Brittany, the Celtic region in the north-west of France. Her unique harp technique and her appealing young voice that hovers somewhere between Kate Bush, the purity of Sinead O'Connor and the mysticism of Enya, reveal a world encompassing ancient poems, original compositions, Celtic tunes and Mediterranean melodies. She takes you for a trip out of time.

Performers: Cecile Corbel, harp & voice; Cynl Mauris, guitar; Pascal Boucaud, bass. www.myspace.com/cecilecorbel

Carrobity

Carol is the current Australian Champion Bush Poet and the Australian Bush Laureate 2007 Performer of the Year. Writing is her passion and she currently holds numerous literary awards. Carol's work has a wide variety - humorous, heart wrenching, quirky, topical, passionate and covers all sorts of topics with appeal to a broad audience.

Performer: Carol Heuchan poetry. www.carolpoet.com.au

Chloe Hall

A concert with Chloe Hall is uplifting, thought-provoking and entertaining. This Melbourne-based singer/songwriter has toured extensively, both in Australia and North America, and is well known to lovers of Australian contemporary folk music. An accomplished songwriter with a beautiful voice, Chloe's music is full of energy, hope and the joy of life.

Performers: Chloe Hall voice, guitar. www.chloehall.com.au

Chris Aronsten

Chris is a solo singer - songwriter. Playing original songs, interspersed with traditional material, he moves between guitar, fiddle, mandolin and spoons. His original material is of a folk / blues style, with traditional fiddle tunes and bluegrass flat picking, warm expressive vocals and some harmonica as well. His love and passion for his music comes through in his performances.

Performer: Chris Aronsten vocals, guitar, mandolin, fiddle, spoons, harmonica, stompbox. www.chrisaronsten.com

Cloudstreet

Cloudstreet - hot harmonies & beautiful ballads. John and Nicole's performances are packed with vitality, humour and excitement, as they breathe new life into some of the great songs of the Australian, English and Celtic traditions and carry the tradition forward with original songs and tunes. Driving guitar and Irish flute support their enthralling vocals. Their trademark dazzling harmonies and their impassioned presentation are leavened with humour and great tales from their travels. Cloudstreet makes their audience feel that they are the privileged viewers of something very special.

Performers: John Thompson guitar, Nicole Murray, flute. www.cloudstreet.org

Damien Neil

Damien Neil has amazed audiences with his guitar playing and singing wherever he goes! His playing is weaved from a rich tapestry of many styles including jazz, blues and folk. Some of his early influences were Chet Atkins, Leo Kottke, Danny Gatton and of course Tommy Emmanual. Damien has played in many line ups over the years; such as The Ned Kelly Show and Mighty Servant. Damien has just recorded a solo CD in Cobargo NSW. Damien has also been playing fiddle for the last 3 years and is slowly incorporating it into his performances.

Perfomer: Damien Neil guitar, vocals, fiddle & mandolin. www.myspace.com/
damienneilmusic

Dale Willis

An emerging unique folk / roots performer already well established as an award-winning fingerstyle guitarist. Dale has melded elements of folk / roots, funk and blues together with soulful songwriting in dynamic and enchanting live solo performances in Australia, New Zealand, the US and more recently in Canada. Using specially customised Maton and Cole Clark acoustic guitars combined with an Ellis acoustic stompbox, the result is a distinctly strong groove element and a jaw dropping one-man show!

Performers: Dale Willis - guitar, vocals and stompbox. www.dalewillis.com

The Duhks

The most vital acoustic music being made today acknowledges its predecessors and lives in the here and now. For four years now, The Duhks, the band of five, skilled, high-energy, tattooed twenty-somethings from Winnipeg, Manitoba, has been riveting audiences and winning staunch fans across North America and around the world with just that kind of music. Since the release of their self-titled, Bela Fleck-produced album in 2005, and the consequent re-release of their Canadian debut, Your Daughters and Your Sons, as well as Migrations (Tim O'Brien and co-produced by Grammy award-winning engineer and producer Gary Paczosa), the band has won admirers as diverse as David Crosby, Dolly Parton, and Doc Watson. This is not surprising, given their Duhks-alone blend of soul, gospel, North American folk, Brazilian samba, old time country string band, zydeco, and Irish dance music, and the attack they bring to these interwoven acoustic styles-which might as well be called sheer rock and roll.

Performers: Leonard Podolak 5 string banjo, vocals; Tania Elizabeth fiddle, vocals; Jordan McConnell guitar, vocals; Christian Dugas percussion, vocals; Sarah Dugas lead vocalist. www.newsouthfolk.com.au

Emily Spiller

Emily is a woman with soul; a woman with something to say. She has a smooth, bluesy voice, full of emotion and experience. She brings her blues and jazz influenced music with roots / soul / groove flavour all the way from Victoria Canada to tour her new album.

Performers: Emily Spiller vocals, saxophone, percussion; Ross Dwyer guitar; TBA drums, bass. www.myspace.com/
emilyspiller

Erin

Whether it's the infectious rhythms, the stirring tales, or the haunting melodies that get you, Erin assures you a traditional Irish band - with a twist - and an experience you'll never forget. With her exciting mix of instrumentation, Erin offers both traditional and contemporary interpretations of ancient Celtic melodies and timeless folk tunes with a dash of the best from the great Irish performers of today. Thrill to the fiddle, swoon to the song, and enjoy the 'Craic' with Erin!

Performers: Bernadette Lannen lead vocals, bodhran, percussion; Nate Downie fiddle, backing vocals; Andrew Goodwin guitar, backing vocals; Todd Johnston bass guitar, backing vocals; Chris Davidson drums. www.erin.net.au

George Papavergis

In the 1960's George was guitar-bashing protest songs in Greek "boites", playing lead guitar in a teen band, while also discovering mediaeval French and Italian songs. In the UK in the 70's he fell in love with folk; in the 80's he rediscovered Byzantine chant; in the 90's he found some gems in the Netherlands; and in the 2000's, back in the UK he once again picked up the folk threads. Then, in April 2001 George started song writing. The result is 186 songs and six albums so far. Prepare yourself for an emotional and compelling performance.

Performer: George Papavgeris guitar, vocal, stories & song. www.folk4all.net

Færd

Færd was launched in 2001 by Peter Uhrbrand and Eskil Romme after touring up north on the Faroe Islands, where they heard a unique style of Scandinavian music. Their material is a mix of traditional and newly composed tunes and songs by a wide range of musicians and composers from all over the world. Since 2005, they have toured in Denmark, Italy, Holland, Germany, the Faroes, Spain, Australia and New Zealand. They are a trio whose music crosses borders between styles, nationalities and traditions. Music with roots going back before 1700 ie Danish and Faroese ballads, melodies by the Faroese troubadour J.Chr.Svabo and Shetland fiddle tunes.

Performers: Jens Ulvsand, Swedish guitar, bouzouki player and singer; Eskil Romme, saxophonist and accordion player; Peter Uhrbrand; prize winning Danish fiddle and viola player. www.faerd.com

Grimick

An honest, rootsy mix of styles, Grimmick are an energetic four piece who never stray far from the essential ingredients - great rhythm, a contagious melody, and something to say. Griff's soaring vocals and the band's ability to entertain will both captivate and move.

Performers: Chris Griffiths lead vocals, guitars, Michael Petrulis keyboard, guitar, trumpet, vocals; Warwick Fear guitar lead, vocals; Matt Bulkeley drums, percussion. www.grimick.com

Heidi Hibberd

Heidi is an engaging and awarded performer with a rare songwriting gift. She sings about her suburban life, annoying neighbours, being a housewife, pollution in her street, social issues, growing up in the bush, her primary school dramas and even more diverse topics in a passionate and personal way! Described as "a talented performer and gifted songwriter" by Australian music reviewer The Dwarf, the Melbourne based artist "not only plays beautiful and bouncy acoustic melodies - she also knows how to tell a bloody good story" (FasterLouder.com). After three years of playing the festival circuit around Victoria and the South-East coast, in late 2007 Heidi finally released her debut ep, "Stars + Streetlights" .

Performers: Heidi Hibberd guitar, ukulele, vocals. www.heidihibberd.com

Judy Small

Judy Small describes herself as an old-fahioned stand-up-with-a-guitar-and-sing-political-songs-folksinger. She has been peforming for more than 30 years all over the English speaking world. Her powerfully political performances are spiced with humour, and have been described as "more like an evening with a favourite aunt than a concert".

Perfomer: Judy Small vocals and guitar. www.judysmall.com.au

Luke R Davies

A performance that consists of singer songwriter material influenced by the blues. Songs with humour and social issues. Great vocals with wild harmonica, foot stomping percussion. Home made tea-tin guitar adds some novelty to the show.

Performer: Luke Davies vocals, guitar, harmonica, foot percussion, tea tin guitar.

www.ezfolk.com/
audio/Luke_R_Davies

Margret Roadnight

Margret's full-time career started in mid-60s Melbourne and has her taken around the globe, with too many highlights to list. She has sung blues, jazz, gospel, folk, comedy, and social commentary songs in concert halls and cathedrals, clubs and campuses, from Broome to Hobart, Beijing to Memphis, Paris to Auckland, Edinburgh to Tel Aviv, New York to Seoul, Amsterdam to Dublin, New Orleans to London, Vancouver to Nuku'alofa. She's renowned for powerful and versatile vocals, a wide-ranging roots-based repertoire, and "lyrics notable for their wit and wisdom" (Musica Viva)

Performer: Margret RoadKnight guitar and kalimba. www.homepages.ihug
.com.au/~margretr

Lyell Sayer

Lyell is a veteran singer/ songwriter in the traditional Australian style, returning to performing after some years absence. He performs a mixture of original and traditional folk songs. Audience participation is encouraged!

Performer: Lyell Sayer, solo singer guitar & harmonica

Midnight's Poet

Midnight's Poet style can be described as an earthy acoustic sound within the folk/roots category. They have been compared to bands such as: The Waifs, Paul Kelly, Weddings Party Anything, Crowded House and Red gum. Since then the band has worked on a variety of music. Each member contributes different influences and styles, from hip hop to folk. They focus on entertaining the crowd while expressing themselves through their music. To its members, Midnight's Poet is more than just a band, but rather a musical family.

Performers: Rochelle Barnard djembe, piano, vocals; Timothy Dick bass, piano, vocals; Tanya Daly djembe, vocals; Michael Shackleton guitar, vocals, harmonica; David Daly guitar, mandolin, vocals. www.myspace.com/
midnightspoet

Mike Compton

Multi Grammy award winner, Mike Compton, is possibly the most popular mandolin player on the world music scene today. His ferocious introduction to the song "Man of Constant Sorrow" in the film "Oh Brother Where Art Thou?" has given him world wide recognition. However a lifelong career of mandolin playing has created one of the most recognisable and respected mandolin voices.

Performer: Mike Compton mandolin, tenor guitar, mandola, guitar. www.mikecompton.net

Nick and Liesl

This distinctive duo brings together Nick Everitt, a bushman from the Central Coast of New South Wales Australia, and Liesl Karlsson, a well-travelled Aussie-Swede recently returned to Australia. Being both singer/songwriters and already involved in more ways than one, teaming up as a duo was as natural as singing in the shower. With influences ranging from Nick's love of James Taylor and Cat Stevens to Liesl's classical songbooks, this multi-instrumental duo present their own uniquely flavoured blend of acoustic, folk and roots. Combining invigorating harmonies with guitar, piano, percussion and a naturally large and varied repertoire, their performance is never predictable and always splendid.

Performers: Nick Everitt guitar, vocals, stompbox, drums; Liesl Karlsson guitar, vocals, piano, percussion. www.myspace.com/
nickandliesl

Rachel Unthank & The Winterset

Dancing down the leftfield and singing in their own lilting Geordie accents, Rachel Unthank & The Winterset make friends of staunch tradition and sonic adventure. Elements of blues, jazz, burlesque cabaret, classical and leftfield contemporary music make their take on folk music peerless, fearless and wholeheartedly brave. The all-girl Northumbrian quartet have courted the mainstream without diluting their folk music. Rachel Unthank & The Winterset might best be understood as eclectic artists whose only common ground is in sounding like nothing that has come before. They are known for their warmth and humour on stage, as seen on their recent sell out UK tour of 300-600 seat venues.

Performers: Rachel Unthank vocals, cello; Becky Unthank vocals, feet; Belinda O'Hooley piano, vocals; Nipha Keegan fiddle, vocals www.rachelunthank.com

Nick Tiliacos and Goodnight Thomas

Nick Tiliacos and Goodnight Thomas are a folk / rock band with a stand out quality of unique vocals and lyrics. Their songs range from low tempo intimate stories to toe tapping folk / rock at its most sublime. Although still in their infancy, they have been growing in prominence with good support from Melbourne venues and local community radio.

Performers: Nick Tiliacos vocals, Christopher Vassos Guitar, vocals; Oliver Davey bass guitar; Andrew Chong cello; Eugene Smith drums. www.myspace.com/
goodnightthomas

O'Shea-Ryan Irish Dancers

The O'Shea - Ryan Irish Dancers range in age from very young to adults, and include dancers who have performed extensively, in Australia and overseas. They present solo, group, hard and soft shoe dances in a colourful and lively display of Irish Dancing.

Performers: The O'Shea - Ryan Irish Dancers 20 - 25 performers.

Richard Perso

Richard is a 16 year old singer / songwriter from Yackandandah in North East Victoria. Richard's music covers the boundaries between folk, blues, roots and country. Sitting with his acoustic guitar on a stomp box with a drum pedal under his left foot and a tambourine under his right, Richard belts out tunes from a wide range of artists. Richard plays covers as well as an expanding list of his own music - all with his own unique style.

Performer: Richard Perso 6 & 12 string guitar, stompbox, tambourine.

www.myspace.com/
richardperso

Ryder

When Jade Myconos sings, it's a unique sound, both alluring and powerful, the songs beg for your attention, equally matched by the sound of the boys in the band. This is the sound of Ryder. Featured regularly on Triple J, Ryder's style encompasses blues / country / folk / pop and has been impressing audiences across Victoria for the past two years. Ryder have toured regularly and played with such well known bands as Killing Heidi, Dallas Frasca, Liz Stringer, Jaimi Falkner, Josh Owen and Bomba and at many regional festivals.

Performers: Jade Myconos vocals, guitar; Greg Whithead guitar, lapsteel, vocals; Trent McKenzie double & electric bass, vocals; Mark Aird drums. www.myspace.com/
rydermusic

Sayon Souare

Sayon Souare is from Guinea, West Africa. He and his wife Molly play a number of traditional West African instruments, sing original and traditional songs and display dances from West Africa.

Performers:  Sayon Souare Djembe, Gongoma, Bolon, Voice, DunDun; Molly Souare Djembe.

Sal Kimber and the Good Ole Boys

Hailing from Country Victoria and now a local Northcotian, Melbourne, Sal has been playing gigs in urban and regional Australia for a few years, including playing on the Aussie Folk Festival circuit : Port Fairy, Woodford, Maldon and The National. Sal and the Good Ole Boys play country folk, with elements of rock, jazz, blues and city beats played on guitar and banjo. Darebin Festival Songwriting Award 2007 winner, Sal (and the Good Ole Boys) will be launching their first full length CD "No Shoes On".

Performers: Sal Kimber banjo, guitar; Shane French drums, guitar. www.myspace.com/
salkimber

Simon Phillips

Simon grew up in the south-west region of WA. After obtaining a music degree in Perth and a trip to Brazil to further his studies, he joined the Sydney Latin guitar duo - Urban Gypsies. In 2004 he toured solo around Australia and travelled to Aceh to help out with tsunami relief. He returned to Melbourne in 2005 having written songs inspired by his travels. The acoustic guitar, singer songwriter, original, jazz-tinged songs are complimented by funk and soul inspired rhythms.

Performer: Simon Phillips guitar, vocals. www.sessionrecords.
com.au

Squeal and Piggyback

Squeal and Piggyback consists of three young up and coming, down and going, local artists. Presenting an eclectic array of alternative rock, contemporary folk and original, catchy rhythms. They recently recorded their debut single and since then have been experimenting with their sound and expanding their repertoire.

Performers: Georgia Ginnivan vocals, guitar, clarinet; Hannah Neumayer vocals, bass; Shakira Snell drums.

The Andi and George Band

The Andi and George Band are a bunch of some of Canberra's happiest musicians. Their smiles are contagious, their gigs spontaneous and their music, written and performed with great energy and soul, has often inspired crowds of people to break into song and dance. Their music ranges from folk / jazz ballads to rock and reggae. They hope to encourage social and environmental awareness as well as street dancing.

Performers: Andrea Kirwin vocals, guitar; George Bishop didgeridoo, vocals, guitar; Matty Sykes drums; Chris Pound bass; Grahame Thompson cello, ukelele; Elyane DeFontne violin. www.myspace.com/
andiandgeorge

The Go Set

The Go Set began in 2003, and includes members of iconic Australian acts, Weddings Parties Anything, The Killjoys, and Chris Wilson's Crown of Thorns. The Go Set has released 3 albums, toured relentlessly around Australia and overseas, and now has an enormous underground following, with more than 15,000 albums sold. Combining the traditional sounds of bagpipes, accordion and violin, with contemporary pop muxic, The Go Set are a unique Australian act.

Performers: Justin Keenan vocals, guitar; Jen Anderson violin; Mark Wallace vocals, accordian; Mark McCartney mandolin; John Bamford bagpipes, tin whistle; Mark Moran bass, bohdran; Dave Folley drums. www.thegoset.com.au

The Taylor Project

"A bit more Brunswick than Nashville" - The Taylor Project give a modern spin to the theme of traditional ballads - loves lost, loves pending, abandoned mattresses and the sea. The twin sisters combine ensemble musicianship (including guest appearances from Andrew B of Khancoban) with droll banter for many entertaining and memorable live performances.

Performers: Elizabeth Taylor mandolin, violin, vocals, piano; Sarah Taylor guitar, vocals, piano; Andrew Bonnici banjo, lapsteel. www.myspace.com/
taylorproject

The Undesirables and David Ross Macdonald

The Undesirables are Corin Raymond and Sean Cotton hailing from Toronto, Ontario, Canada. For more than ten years this duo has blazed an international trail that now brings them to Australia with their beguiling, haunting and entertaining show. Their songs and theatrics draw upon mystical, weird and heart felt worlds and characters, past, present, future, real and imaginary ... hard to describe, but maybe, if you stumbled upon a writers' tavern where Tom Waits, Jim Morrison, Charles Dickens and Ray Bradbury were sharing old stories and ale laden songs, then just maybe you might be getting close to the energy and verve of The Undesirables. David Ross Macdonald from the Waifs will be drumming for these guys but using only an old suitcase with brushes!

Performers: Corin Raymond vocals, Sean Cotton guitar, vocals; David Ross Macdonald percussion, (as a soloist - guitar & vocals). www.davidrossmacdonald
.com

Tim McMillan

Fans of fretwork will be delighted to hear the acoustic axework and amusing ramblings of Tim McMillan. With a healthy influence of Folk, Classical, Latin Jazz, Flamenco and Blues Guitar, his eclectic mix of guitar based music, also including live sampling, foot percussion, storytelling and song, must be seen to be believed.

Performer: Tim McMillan guitar, vocals, woodskin. www.timmcmillan.com.au

Timothy Cannon

Timothy Cannon lives in a hole in the ground with a bag of apples and his guitar. He launches his tunes, which whimsically walk the line between ecstasy and despair, with a searing passionate voice that will send a chill down your spine, and warm your heart.

Performer: Timothy Cannon vocals, acoustic guitar. www.timothycannon.com

Tom Yates

With an extensive repertoire of gathered and original material, Tom, a resident of Yackandandah, performs in troubadour fashion. "Songs I sing for family, songs I do for fun, songs of social comment, don't want to hurt no one. Sha na na na na, Hey friend gather round, don't you love the sound of a good song goin' down."

Performer: Tom Yates guitar, voice, harmonica.

Marie Finlay

Mother of 3, Grandmother of 2 and storyteller, Marie believes that story is central to everybody's life. Telling stories is how we make sense of daily events, is how we teach ourselves and others. The ordinary heroism in all of us needs more attention. Come to one of Marie's sessions and participate in storytelling, ballads, exploring family stories & grabbing hold of history.
Performer: Marie Finlay, storyteller

“My particular interest is personal and community development through story and storytelling, believing that it is possible for people to develop a strong sense of themselves, their place in the world, and their creative potential through the story process.”  (Marie Finlay)