Highlights for 2009 include
Chris While and Julie Mathews (UK), Greg Champion, Kavisha Mazella,
Damien Howard and The Ploughboys, Kristina Olsen (USA), The Ellis Collective, Rose Turtle Ertler, Peter
Denahy, Rosie Haden, Anita George and more
David Francey and Craig Werth (Canada)
One of Canada's best loved troubadours,Davids Francey's straightforward songs tell honest stories of real people and real places. Poetic perception and a keen eye for the heart of the matter are trademarks of the man and his music. His songs and stories pack an emotional wallop andare a direct connection for audiences seeking depth and meaning in the day-to-day.Touring with David is American ballad maker and multi-instrumentalist Craig Werth.
Damian Howard and the Ploughboys
For almost 14 years Damian Howard and The Ploughboys, have been weaving their musical magic on crowds around the world. They have justreturned from a successful tour of Europe in 08 with a new CD/DVD.
The Ploughboys are a great band to watch. They seem to have a crowd of instant fans attracted by a swaggering and cheeky Aussie gregarious presence that raises the stakes with real passion.. "...Original-penned songs that reek of Ireland and the Australian landscape..."
The April Verch Band (Canada)
She is a virtuoso fiddler, stunning vocalist and electrifying stepdancer delivering a beguiling blend of folk, jazz, old-time, bluegrass and roots music woven together with precision, intensity, and soul. The April Verch Band have established a reputation as consummate performers, winning over audiences not only with sheer virtuosity on their respective instruments, but also with charm, humor and boundless energy on stage.
Kristina Olsen
Kristina Olsen is a most entertaining and compelling performer,superb multi-instrumentalist (acoustic guitar, steelbody slide guitar, saxophone, concertina and piano) as well as an award-winning songwriter. Kristina'smix of powerful songs ranging from sassy bottleneck blues to lilting ballads to swing jazz to raunch and rollmakes for a diverse and satisfying musical experience, on stage and on disc.
"Her sensual, athletic voice knows no boundaries, nor does the subject matter of her stories exceptional guitar work, strong and honest vocals and gutsy, playful blues." Evening Sun, Norwich NY:
Valanga Khoza and Leo Dale
Valanga Khoza and Leo Dale bring the black and the white notes together from their backgrounds on the far flung corners of the earth.To an irrepressible beat, they play kalimba (African thumb piano), jaw harp, harmonic flute, guitar, baritone sax, soprano sax, alto flute and the original instrument - voice.From Sth Africa, right around the world, through the outback and into their hometown of Melbourne, these master story tellers and musicians bring you the indestructible beat of Soweto set to a background of soaring jazz.
Chris While and Julie Matthews
Chris While & Julie Matthews have long been one of England's most successful contemporary music partnerships. Internationally acclaimed, they are exceptional singers, songwriters and multi-instrumentalists. As performers they are unrivalled. Their songs cover life as they see it, from the industrial wastelands of the north, to injustice and freedom, and matters of the heart. They bring with them their critically acclaimed latest release, Together Alone.
Kavisha Mazella
Kavisha Mazzella is a musician and singer unafraid to cross musical boundaries. She sings in English and Italian,drawing on her rich Eurasian heritage making original life affirming songs with haunting melody and lyrical depth with a deep respect and affection for traditional folk roots influence. She is joined by Aria Award winner Irini Vela on Bazouki guitar and mandolin. Kavisha is becoming increasingly well known for her outstanding musical contributions to community cultural projects and has played with a vast array of national and international folk musicians.
"Her voice flows like tears of joy and sorrow, theres a saltiness and warmth of sensuality here that sings the great bitter sweet song of life... Theres a power and presence in her stage performance which is simply beyond words."Colum Sands. Ireland. "Kavisha sings with the voice of a heartbroken angel"Victoria Laurie, The Australian
Greg Champion
Greg Champion is part humourist, part folkie, half hippy, half bogan, part Victorian and completely South Australian.ABC radios Macca on Sunday mornings put Greg Champion on the map in 1986 by strangling the daylights out of Gregs song I Made a 100 In The Backyard At Mums. Champs has been a member of long-running national ABC radio programme The Coodabeen Champions for 26 years.Greg Champion has followed his own path through the Australian musical landscape, and in the process hes released seventeen albums reflecting his distinctive take on the way we live.
He's produced a uniquely Australian body of work and its been said of Greg, that hes contributed to the fabric of Australian culture.Champssings at Folk and Country Festivals and at lotsa corporate things where he classifies himself as a De-Motivational Speaker. A two time runner-up in the Australian Underachiever Awards, Champs has no criminal record.
Akasa
With stunning passion, power and skill, the four women of Akasa create irresistible tapestries of intricate and elaborate harmonies and rhythms. Celebrating the cycle of life and embracing the need for care and social justice in our community, Akasas original songs rock the cradle one minute and the boat the next!
Since forming in 1998, Akasa has produced 3 highly-acclaimed CD releases and toured extensively in Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific.
Jugularity
Jugularity's brand of madcap musical comedy successfully combines skilled, inspiring musicianship with comedy cabaret. Jugularity includes lively, upbeat, eclectic versions of jazz, folk, blues, rap, country, gypsy and other styles of songs they've written, borrowed or parodied. Fabulous fiddling from Ernie Gruner, power percussion from Peter Vadiveloo, beastly bass-playing from Gavan McCarthy and awesome anecdotes with grandiloquent guitar from Bruce Stephens. Surprise, audience involvement, great music, fun and spontaneity make Jugularity popular with all ages.
The Secret Lunch
Unbeknownedst to the sleeping world, Stephen Taberner, arch-conspirator behind the Spooky Men's Chorale, and Emma Jasmine Kelly and Sam King, two thirds of festival circuit favourites One Night Jam, have been gleefully engaging in not-so-secretive musical congress and putting together a tidy little brood of songs, some mock-melancholy, some not melancholy at all, and now they dare to suspect that such musical bon-bons will benefit from a discreet airing amongst those of like minds....
Stephen's original songs in this incarnation will recline in the magnificent musical sofa consisting of his own brooding and tasty double bass work, plus the judicious application of guitar legend Sam King, who plays with the diabolical intensity of a street fighter on death row, and Emma Kelly, who plays violin with the aching tunefulness and purity of the angels waiting to receive him.....not to mention the drop dead gorgeous singing of the pair of 'em.
Peter Denahy
Pete is one of those blokes who was always around the pub, the session, the concert or the buffet with his fiddle in his hand, ready with a joke or a twisted one-liner.At twenty-two he joined a band called the "Ploughboys" playing the fiddle and guitar. The Ploughboys took him to folk festivals including Port Fairy and the National.He toured with the Slim Dusty Show for four years doing comedy and playing fiddle in the band. Most recently, Peter has shot to fame for his song "Sort of Dunno Nothin" which typifies an unexciting conversation between a parent and child.
January 2009 saw Pete travel to Tamworth where he was nominated for five Golden Guitars. Having won none of them, he is now the proud loser of more awards than anyone at this year's Tamworth festival.Come along and see his gig if you can.........he is absolutely world class.
(written mostly by Pete Denahy)
Bookings - Geoff Bell at Laing Entertainment 0248 214 913
Tin Pan Orange
Festival favourites TinPan Orange are a unique sounding vessel that chugs through the waters of melodic virtue. Blending soulful songwriting with old fashioned story telling, all the while incorporating virtuosic musicianship. Headed by brother / sister songwriters, Jesse and Emily Lubitz, who perform their songs with a flare about the poetics of the everyday uncanny; binding the momentary with the eternal and the playful with the wretched. TinPan Orange also features maestro musician Alex Burkoy on violin, mandolin and guitar. This is a show not to be missed!
Rant
Beginning in the Celtic tradition, yet drawing inspiration from such varied genres as European folk, jazz, contemporary rock and even music theatre, Rant is a band fresh with imagination and undaunted by the bounds of definition. Performing with infectious energy and enthusiasm, Jonathan Burton (guitar), Michelle Doyle (harp), Mischa Herman (piano accordion and whistles) and Carrie Young (vocals and keyboard) have enlivened audiences at small soirees and filled out festival venues, often to great acclaim.They formed in 2008,after receiving the Paddy O’Neill Award, an initiative of the Lake School of Celtic Music, Song and Dance, Victoria, The band have recently enjoyed working with songwriters Ted Egan and Nerys Evans, composing material to be featured on their forthcoming first album.
Milton Taylor
Milton Taylor is one of Australias foremost Bush Poets who presents a variety of traditional and modern rhyming verse and yarn spinning covering all aspects of emotion from tragic through to ludicrous. A multi award winning performer, he has represented Australia at festivals in the USA since 1997 and is a frequent featured artist and conductor of workshops at many festivals throughout Australia.
www.abpa.org.au/
Bush_Poetry/Modern
_Poetry/Milton_Taylor.html
Anita George
Powerful vocal dripping with soul. Anita George is a wandering troubador with a penchant for folk. A natural storyteller and evocative songwriter, her tales of love, loss and hitch-hiking are only matched by her trademark voice and carefully crafted slide and folk style guitar blended with world-wide influences in her music. Anita George has toured extensively through Australia, Canada and south America to universal acclaim.
Men in Suits
Men in Suits is without peer as Australias leading musical performing group in the genre other Melbourne-based non-religious well-dressed male parody choir. Buried deep within the nations economic stimulus package, Men in Suits has accepted a mission to lift the spirits of musically deprived Australians with a fiscally challenging mixture of wisdom, Georgian lullabies and nonsensical fun. Under the direction of Stephen Taberner, they even think they can go places.
The Ellis Collective
From the bright lights of Woodford to the cosy session fires of 'Quinty, the past year has seen The Ellis Collective inhabit a unique niche in a landscape often inhabited by musical proformas. Fusing traditional acoustic sensibilities with modern urban grit they have been compared to other seminal Australian storytellers such as Tim Rogers, Paul Kelly and John Schumann in their delivery of an unmistakably Australian brand of lyrical intensity.
If you follow the trail of breakfast beers, black coffee, cigarettes, broken teeth, busted dreams, confessionals, apologies, simple tunes and soft harmonies, it will take you to the place where they make music. "The pick of the national folk festival... I was blown away" BMA Magzine - April 2008
JUST
JUST is a band of musicians from the North East that delivers Ethnic Tribal Beats influenced by the Philippines and Australia. Reggno-Rock is joyous energized music. Its essence stems from a desire for world harmony to create music that everyone can enjoy irrespective of where they come from or who they are. JUST... aims to create a collaboration between the band and the audience to create an organic, electrifying, atmosphere. Their music is all about passion, rhythm, movement, and having fun. The line up comprises Datu Mandipensa - Acoustic Guitar/Lead Vocals/Percussion/Tribal Instruments. Philippine born, Datu has been writing and playing his original music for the past 20 years. His main inspiration is drawn from the forests surrounding his homeland, his tribal culture, and from the music itself which has emerged through his family for many generations. He describes his music as being a blend of world music, tribal music, with a dash of rock. Datu is joined by David Thorpe - Lead Guitar. Rab Kusmierski - Bass Guitar. Dave Elvin - Drums. Lisa Mandipensa -Percussion/Flute/ Didgeridoo/Conga. Rowan Brown- Saxophone/Trumpet/ Trombone.
Glover & Sorrensen
Glover & Sorrensen is a two-handedstand-up comedy act that combines the talents of two of Australias most experienced comedians Alan Glover and S Sorrensen. Their shows have generated much entertaining excitement for audiences and for Alan and S themselves (who are often as unsure of what will happen next as the audience is!).
Glover & Sorrensen features both comedians on stage at the same time bouncing off each other (verbally mostly; physically sometimes) combining their wealth of material with unpredictable, spontaneous improvisation.S Sorrensen, poet and comic, has a flashing wit and sense of being born into a world he never created. S Sorrensen has been seen on TV and regionaland national radio. He is also the comedy programmer for the Woodford Folk Festival.
Alan Gloverhas been a standup comedian since 1983,working all over Australia and overseas at countless comedy clubs and pubs and many festivals including Londons 4th Annual Cannabis Festival. He has also worked in film and on television.
The Rainmakers
With five glorious voices and sublime vocal harmonies; provocative and endearing songs, and a range of instruments, The Rainmakers are: Jane Thompson, James Rigby and their 3 teenage daughters Maggie, Elsie and Naomi. They have a new CD Singing Up A Storm, which they will launch at the Festival, and hope for rain to come pouring down on about Monday!
Grimick
An honest, rootsy mix of styles, Grimick are a Sydney duo who never stray from the essentials - great rhythm, a contagious melody, and a story to tell.
With seemingly no upward limit to his range, vocalist/guitarist Chris Griffiths is capable of both power and tenderness. Michael Petrulis adds brilliant harmonies, cheeky percussion, and arrangements on conga, bass, guitar and piano.
www.myspace.com/grimickmusic
Sam Niedra & Simone Nolan
Sam Niedra and Simone Nolan are a duo of north -east Victoria bred singer/songwriters whocombinetheir original songwriting, melodic finger style guitar, open tunings, and vocal harmonies to produce soothing and evocative folk music. Past performers at Yackandandah, the duo are currently living and playing in Melbournebut jump atevery opportunity to escape the city and play at regional festivals.Sam Niedra is an award winning singer songwriter and unique finger-style acoustic guitarist. He writes and plays enchanting folk/roots songs using non-standard guitar tunings, and sings about family, the environment, death, life and love. His guitar style is reminiscent of the Nick Drakes - bold, hypnotic, and melodic.Simone Nolan is integral to the duo's flavour with her rare talent gifted with a pure voice and a knack for writing catchy and moving folk songs.
Ange Takats
Ange TakatsNational Folk Festival winner of the 2008 Lis Johnston Award for vocal excellence, Ange Takats' voice has been described as Joan Baez meets Gillian Welch. Her songs tell stories of knitting, longing and lovely Irishmen. Strangely enough, Ange began her musical journey in Bangkok where she joined a folk rock band. Singing songs from the early 70s, drinking sweet Thai whiskey and learning from Buddhist musicians with big hearts, Ange's songwriting has been greatly influenced by her time overseas. Her voice contains so many representations of great female singer/songwriter;, but, at the same time bringing herself strongly to your attention. - Jim MacQuarrie, Folk Alliance Australia
Anam Cara
Take one Spanish-Classical guitarist, add one Galway songstress, mix a handful of hot rhythm guitar, lace with one well-spiced fiddle and add vocal harmonies to taste. From Ireland, Queensland and Victoria the four musicians have separately performed at a range of festivals in Australia and Ireland. Anam Cara now combines Lok Smiths guitar, Clare Hynes vocals, Avril Lamberts fiddle and vocals and Racheal Butlers guitar and vocals in songs and tunes which are a celebration of human experience. Best enjoyed with a glass of good red-Bon appetit!
Red Dog's Folly
When it comes to rattling sheds and getting feet stomping Red Dogs Folly has it covered witha repertoire of solid country rock covers that always seems to strike a chord with audiences. Front man, Lachie Cossorprovides vocals, guitar, mandolin and harmonica andis well versed in the country rock genre. Guitarist, David Thorpe takes up lead guitar duties, at times changing to bass to fill out the bottom end of the sound spectrum while also contributing backup vocals.And drummer, Dave Elvin provides the driving force for the band.
Recently Red Dog's Folly has been finding new musical flavours adding some of their emerging, original songs into performances.
Rosie Haden
At the core of Rosie Haden's writing and performance is the musical spirit of 1960's San Fransisco. More Grace Slick than Janis Joplin, more Mamas and Papas than Grateful Dead, yet every note and word of Rosie's performance distills and delivers the essence of that era to speak for the 21st century. Raunchy, powerful vocals full of lust and desire. Deeply soulful. Thoroughly original and utterly convincing.
Kieran Glasgow
Raised in the working class town of Cessnock, NSW with a Celtic heritage, Kieran Glasgow comes with an honest and down to earth approach to his music. Glasgows lyrical intelligence, genuine sentiment and unbridled vocal talent are combined with acoustic guitar, foot percussion and lapsteel guitars, creating a solid little back beat.His songwriting and performance isalways engaging . Kieran plays regular original gigs in and around Sydney at venues including the Sando Newtown, The Hopetoun Hotel and The Basement. Kieran's album Harvesting Time can be purchased at all live gigs and through
Richard Perso
Take a deep breath....
Breathe out for 5 minutes continuously. While you are doing this play a didgeridoo. Try adding some 12 string slide guitar, throw in some stomp box with your left foot , tambourine under your right foot and include some rich, deep vocals. If not the 12 string, it will be a lap steel guitar or a steel bodied guitar and a second stomp box. Now we get a totally dynamic act where the only one not gasping for breath is the performer.Richard Perso - talented 17 year old from Yackandandah who in a very short time has quickly established himself on the festival circuit.
White Boyz Can't Funk
Roaring straight outta Footscray are a new breed of dynamic musicians - A savvy six-piece, ready to make you dance uncontrollably; a tight, raw and excitable revue that has been mesmerizing audiences from Fitzroy to Yackandandah...and back again.... and so on.
Building their foundations upon their ridiculously fun and epic live show; White Boyz Cant Funk are out to prove that, yes, they can funk. By infusing elements from the heyday of their Funk, Soul & Motown heroes, with their roots in Australian Pub-Rock, the Boyz have stumbled onto something big.Worshipping the likes of Sly Stone, the Breakestra, James Brown and The Meters; their sound has gradually shifted to incorporate other aspects of Hip-Hop, Blues and Jamaican Popular Music.
Leanne Murphy
Singer-songwriter-pianist Leanne Murphy, recently settled in Beechworth, performs her folk-ballad songs reflecting on experiences of migration and the search for love and belonging, delivered with warmth and good humour. In 2003 Leanne released her debut album, Portal, and has since performed at numerous festivals and events around Victoria and NSW. Leanne's creative pursuits also include facilitating community music-making and puppetry creations.
Havana Palava
Havana Palava is the sensational band out on the streets.
Saxes, brass and percussion beat out street tunes from Havana, Soweto, New Orleans, Athens, Sofia, Leeds and beyond. 20 musos get down and move around to a mighty acoustic, outdoor, cacophony of Latin, Balkan, jazz, blues and ska rhythms. In the best tradition of bright, funky, anarchic, high energy street bands, Melbourne's bright pink Palava's love to get dressed up, get the crowd dancing and create a great carnival atmosphere on the street and at festivals. This is a street band thats hard to resist. "They are the heart and soul of the Sydney Road Street Party" John McAuslan Brunswick Music festival organiser
Kerryn Beatty Band
Taking influence from the great sounds of 80s rock/pop and adding a folk sensibility, Kerryn and her band of Erin Taylor, Cam Nolte, Scott Rowlings and Adam Pica showcase original, catchy tunes filled with love, lust, friendship.
Rose Turtle Ertler
Rose Turtle Ertler has been performing her original contemporary ukulele songs for the past 8 years, touring a lot around Australia. She has also toured twice to Europe and more recently played at the New York Ukulele Festival in 2008.
Rose does not play her ukulele in the traditional Hawaiian style, but instead takes aspects of all styles she has encountered to create her own contemporary sound.
Rose aims to demonstrate the versatility of the endearing ukulele as well as to show the capabilities of an instrument to be taken seriously.
"This is not traditional uke music, but it's interesting music and Rose Turtle has a cool voice and the kind of lyrics that challenge you and invite you to think. If you are open to new sounds give it a try and support one of the biggest promoters of the ukulele in Australia." (DAVE WASSER, UKULELE HALL OF FAME, USA)
Tom Tuena
Tom Tuenas music style can be described as honest and thoughtful. His song writing is well crafted and draws on a wide range of influences, Paul Kelly, Lior and John Butler to name a few. Within the Melbourne music community hes known for his powerful and emotive performances, his dedication to his craft and his will to succeed.
Kate Rowe
One time French scholar and former party fairy, Kate Rowe has been described by Capital News as a cross between Missy Higgins and Sara Storer ... fresh and delightful. Kates exciting, disarming and thought-provoking songs are rich with stories what dogs would say if they could talk, the man she never got to blind date, a dysfunctional pirate family, the creepy Parisian catacombs and frequently reduceaudiences to laughter and tears.
