Broderick Smith has been homing in on this unique territory for nearly 50 years. He staked his first claims with seminal Melbourne blues / roots outfits Carson and The Dingoes. Not that his journey began there by any means. But in a sense, Unknown Country (his new album) is where it was always heading.

Australian Blues guitarist and singer, Fiona Boyes, has been variously described by reviewers as a ‘musical anomaly’, ‘Bonnie Raitt’s evil twin’, or simply as ‘scaring the hell out of me’.  How did this fair-haired gal, born and raised in Melbourne, Australia, of Scottish and English heritage, become an internationally recognised and awarded recording and touring artist? How did she come to be the first woman and non-American to win the International Blues Challenge in Memphis?  Why did some of the great Mississippi Delta and Chicago blues giants, such as the late Pinetop Perkins and Hubert Sumlin, choose to describe her as one of the best women guitar players since Memphis Minnie, record on her albums, and share stages with her at international Blues festivals?  How does it come about that the Mayor of Clarksdale, Mississippi, birthplace of the Blues, should present Fiona with the ‘Key To The City’, recognising her as an Aussie ambassador of the Blues?

The answer lays partly in Fiona’s striking and original talent; she writes, sings and plays just about anything in the Blues realm with passion and authenticity.  It is also her immersion in the wide musical and historical traditions that make up the Blues and her deep love of the art-form itself.

Fiona has been recording and performing internationally for more than 25 years, building a career that has taken her to major festivals and stages in Australia, New Zealand, North America and Europe.  A veteran recording artist with 13 releases, 6 international award winning albums, 4 successive Blues Music Award nominations in 4 different categories, 15 Australian Blues awards, as well as a string of accolades in the folk, jazz, and  Americana scene, Fiona has carved out a well deserved reputation as a guitarist, vocalist, songwriter and band leader.

2013 Semi Finalist at The International Blues Challenge in Memphis Tennessee, 2012 Blues Performer of the Year and 2009 Australian Female Blues Artist of the Year are just some of the awards this killer band has won over the years. Delivering high energy, Sassy, Soulful original blues since 1999, The Andrea Marr Band is one of the hardest working most sought after bands in the thriving Melbourne Blues Scene. If you like your blues with a whole heap of soul and sass, this the act you must not miss!

An exciting act on the Blues scene.

Fronted by a brilliant voice in Iseula Hingano, backed by a cooking band led by her partner, Nathan Brett (Guitar) Blue Eyes Cry are certainly a Blues act on the rise. The other band members are      Stuart Prendergast (Bass) and Cameron Smith (Drums).

Originally hailing from the North Coast of NSW, Iseula, Nathan and Cameron have moved to Melbourne to further their musical ambitions. Upon arriving they linked up with bassist Stuart, to form a line up that is performing the Blues in a sophisticated and modern manner.

Iseula has performed at some of Australia’s premier music festivals and venues. Spending a few years in London, she absorbed as much as she could about the music business in one of the most competitive environments in the world.

Upon returning to her home town of Coffs Harbour, she linked up with Nathan to form Blue Eyes Cry. Entering a local talent competition, they took out first prize, and with their winnings, decamped to Melbourne.

Influences run the gamut of the modern Blues scene – Robert Cray, Eva Cassidy, Robin Trower, through to Soul artists – Stevie Wonder, Donny Hathaway etc.

Since their relocation to Melbourne in 2011, Blue Eyes Cry have captured the attention of local Blues fans, the Melbourne Blues Appreciation Society, Hugo Armstrong of the Blues Train and John Durr of Black Market Music.

“One of the genuine rising blues stars in the Australian Blues scene” Patrick Elliget-Pearl Magazine (The Peninsula Blues Report

Performing close to 200 shows this past year including festivals such as The Wangaratta Jazz and Blues Festival, Echuca Blues Festival, Broadbeach Blues Festival, and the legendary Blues Train. Blues Mountain have also enjoyed an ongoing weekly residency at The Customs House Hotel-Williamstown for the past 2 years, they’re regular visitors to the Mornington Peninsula & Bendigo with a monthly residence at The Royal Hotel and Mornington Peninsula Brewery-Mornington and The Gold Dust Lounge-Bendigo, a jam packed Album-Launch at the GH Hotel-St Kilda, and a very successful overseas tour in New Zealand which included The Bay of Island Jazz and Blues Festival. From local blues jams to the international stage, Blues Mountain is a band whose star is indeed on the rise.

Consisting of; Wailin’ Aaron Gillett (harmonica and cigar-box guitar), Julian “Hoodoo” Byrne (vocals and electric  guitar), Ben “Chicken-shack” Gerrard (drums), and “Juke-joint” Jordan Hyde (bass), Catfish Voodoo keeps their sound deeply rooted in the early 50’s Smokey Chicago-blues scene. Playing a set consisting of their own material and original takes of classic blues songs such as; Mojo workin’, Smokestack lightnin’, and a high energy, crowd pleasing version of the John Lee Hooker classic, Boogie Chillun’.

CHRIS WILSON has been an essential part of blues and rock music in Australia since taking the stage with the Sole Twisters twenty years ago. Stints with Harum Scarum and Paul Kelly and the Coloured Girls followed, and the end of the 80s saw Wilson as one of our finest vocalists, harmonica players and songwriters, fronting the superb Crown of Thorns.

His instrumental gifts have oft been utilised on recordings by the likes of James Reyne, Hunters and Collectors, Vika and Linda, Renee Geyer, Archie Roach, X, Deb Conway and Ross Hannaford’s Dianna Kiss. Chris has enjoyed the company of Australia’s best musicians on stage and in the studio when realising his own visions in song.

Hailing from the Blue Mountains near Sydney, award winning Australian solo artist Claude Hay blends slide guitar, sitar, bass and drums to create music that invokes the best of stomping traditional blues, hard rock and booty-shaking funk, all delivered with chops to burn and a vocal range to match. Claude is perhaps the world’s ultimate Do-It-Yourself musician – forging his live sound on the back of looping technology which allows him to create a band vibe without the band. This approach has seen this fiercely independent artist build an audience for his music globally with the release of three award-winning home-made albums.

Acclaimed for their gritty, driving, down home-sound, Collard Greens and Gravy play a mostly original repertoire of foot stomping country blues that would sound right at home in a Mississippi Juke Joint. Featuring Ian Collard (vocals, harmonica and guitar) James Bridges (guitar and fiddle) and Anthony Shortte (Drums), Collard Greens and Gravy have been together since 1995.

The trio have received many awards including second place at the 2001 International Blues challenge in Memphis. In the same year the band’s second CD More Gravy won an Aria award for Best Blues and Roots Album. Their third CD Silver Bird won the Best Self-Produced CD Award at the International Blues Challenge (IBC) in February 2005. Their fourth CD Devil In The Woodpile has won numerous awards including Best Album 2008 and Best Band 2008 at the Australian Blues Awards and Best Album 2008 and Best Band 2008 at the Vic/Tas Blues Awards.

Continental “Robert Susz is a vocalist, harmonica player & songwriter. He was born in Budapest, Hungary & emigrated to Sydney, Australia where he still is. His bands included THE DYNAMIC HEPNOTICS (1979-1987) A soul band that toured extensively around Australia & had a national SMASH HIT with the Robert Susz composition “Soul Kind Of Feeling” which also won the Gold APRA award for 1985. THE MIGHTY REAPERS (1987-2000 plus rare reunion shows when all the members are in the same town!) A funky blues & soul combo that recorded a series of critically acclaimed albums for the Rufus label in Australia & Terra Nova in the USA & included award winning Susz compositions such as “Bad Luck Attack”, “Trouble People” & “Guess I’ll Find Out Later On”. THE CONTINENTAL BLUES PARTY (2000- right now!) Another down home, funky, blues & soul combo that have their debut album “On The Soul Side” nationally distributed by Vitamin Records & also available at all “Continental” Robert’s live shows. Wherever you catch Robert performing he’ll be singing & blowing his harp with all his heart & soul!!

Dan Dinnen plays finger-picking acoustic guitar, tasty blues harp and sings up a storm with his rich, soulful vocals.  Playing originals and blues standards, from smoking ballads to juke joint stomps, Dan draws on a wide range of blues influences, especially the deep well of old time, pre-war and country blues styles. Dan Dinnen is a dynamic, energetic blues performer with an authentic feel and style. 

DREAMBOOGIE formed early in 2010, named after vintage American jazz/ blues writer Langston Hughes’ famed poem “Dream Boogie”.

The band comprises members – Rebecca Davey, (vocals), Sam Buckley (guitar), Connor O’Neill (bass) and Robert B Dillon (drums).

In early 2012, they represented the Melbourne Blues Appreciation Society (MBAS) at the International Blues Challenge (IBC) held annually in Memphis, USA. Not only did the band compete at the IBC, but the trip gave them an opportunity to visit the famed “Crossroads” in Clarksdale MS — birthplace of the Blues, and an inspiration for their muse.

“You can feel the history of the Blues in the South” states Rebecca. “It gives a meaning to the words and music of those great artists we attempt to emulate, and who inspire us. We are now a much better band and musicians as a result.”

Genevieve Chadwick returns to the WBF this year. Every once and a while an artist emerges who touches the very soul of the audience and Genevieve is such an artist. She looks like an angel….roars like a lion… and plays guitar like a demon. If you haven’t seen Genevieve before you are in for a real treat!

Geoff is a highly regarded independent Blues/Roots musician who has taken his music around the world. *** His energetic live performances showcase his creative guitar style and soulful vocals. Geoff delivers a wide range of funky original tunes and inspired arrangements of blues/rock standards. *** 

Geoff  began his musical journey in rural Australia, playing in his father’s dance band at the age of 13. He later developed a passion for American blues and taught himself the rudiments of the art form. In his early 20s he moved to the city of Melbourne and was hired as lead guitarist with legendary bluesman ‘Dutch’ Tilders. 

After several years with Dutch he departed to focus on his own music and embarked on an international campaign. 

Jimi ’the human’ Hocking has been a familiar sight to Australian audiences for many years.

Along with the gold records he collected with the ‘Screaming Jets’ in the 1990’s, Jimi has also released a large body of solo work (13 albums), from electric rock and blues, to contemporary folk and even blues mandolin.

In the 1980’s Jimi stepped out of his ‘Zappa’ inspired electric 3 piece, and the folk café’s of Melbourne to join rock legends ‘The Angels’ on their ‘Live Line’ tour when Bob Spencer was injured.

“Soulful is rather an understatement… Listeners were hypnotised into silence by his raw rustic tone… A beautiful purity to his voice.” BroadWay Baby -Edinburgh 2012

“An Exceptional musical experience… I felt nothing but a sense of privilige… A Deeply Satisfying show.” – Three Weeks Edinburgh 2012

“Masterful Blues Guitar was Brilliant and Blisteringly fast…Resonant & Powerful\.” – Rip It Up  Adelaide fringe 2013

Australian Soul/Blues artist John McNamara will release his debut album mid 2013 through Australia’s most successful blues & roots Label Black Market Music.

Melbourne based musician Jules Boult has already turned a lot of heads in the industry. His progression into a performer came naturally but only after dipping his toes into an array of eclectic positions from oil rigger to model – his feet are now firmly planted in the music industry. From listening to his father play in their family home, Jules Boult grew up surrounded by live music, so it was really no surprise that he returned to the comforts of home and established himself a career in the industry. 

Louis King “The King of the Rockabilly Blues”  was born in Scotland and raised on the road in Australia .

He has been at the top of the Roots music scene in Australia since their first CD was released in 1996 .

He has performed at all the major festivals in the country ,including the East Coast Festival in Byron Bay 5 times, as well as Bridgetown Cairns and Broadbeach Blues festivals

Louis King has also  toured Europe 4 times,performing at the prestigious Great British Blues Festival.

In 2013 he again is touring Europe  and  is a featured artist at The Screamin’ festival in Barcelona.

With 8 albums, a swag of accolades and 20 years of performing, writing and recording, Lloyd Spiegel has certainly squeezed a lot into 30 years! Lloyd is one of the country’s leading Blues artists.

Marshall OKell has an exciting new project & new band Marshall OKell & The Pride!!! It’s the sound of Surf Roots & Australian Mojo Rock. It’s stomping in high energy yet jaw dropping and full of fresh new raw emotion. A style of music garnished and brewed in the Far North Coast surfing Mecca of Lennox Head/Byron Bay, NSW. The songs are powerful, rhythmic, honest and emotional. The live performances are raucous, energetic, feel good and super sweaty!!

Since forming in 1998, The Mojo Webb Band has forged a unique path in the Australian music scene. Performing

an original brand of blues and roots music, the trio of Mojo Webb, Coojee Timms and JB Lewis have toured the

nation, performing at major music festivals including Womadelaide, The Byron Bay Blues & Roots Festival, The

Woodford Folk Festival, The Australian Blues Music Festival, The Blues On Broadbeach Festival, The Bridgetown

Blues Festival, The Thredbo Blues Festival and The Caloundra Music Festival, among others.

Mojo Webb, whose solo debut 2006 album ‘The Burden’ garnered him the 2006 Australian Blues Music ‘Chain’

Award for ‘Best New Talent of The Year’ is the possessor of a singular and amazing singing talent and is a

worldclass guitarist/multi-instrumentalist. He played every instrument on ‘The Burden’, including guitar, bass, drums,

harmonica and saxophone as well as writing and singing all the songs.

I  started playing guitar when I was 19 and fell in love instantly. I always loved rock’n’roll from Elvis through to Jon Spencer and when you start following the roots of Rock you’re on a freight train headed straight for the heart of the blues. I was completely self-taught by ear listening to Max Crawdaddy on RRR on Thursday nights got me deep into the blues masters and I was hooked.

I always loved Jon Spencer, Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder, Led Zepplin then Max Crawdaddy introduced me to Chris Wilson, Alvin Youngblood Hart, Chuck Berry, John Lee Hooker, RL Burnside, and my man Howlin Wolf.. more recently its bands like Eileen Jewel, Little Barry, Derek Trucks, Dr Johns new record Locked Down, and Tom Waits “Glitter and Doom” live with that blues infused material that crosses boundaries that is really grabbing me by the ears.

Pete Cornelius & the DeVilles est 1999, have released 7 full length albums, toured relentlessly, both national & international. Featured at some of Australia’s most prestige festivals, including Byron Bay’s Bluesfest, The Great Southern Blues Festival, Blues on Broadbeach, Thredbo Blues Festival, The Australian Blues Festival, Forth Valley Blues Festival, Southern Roots, and more. Pete also spent 3 months living in Chicago 2007. There he played many gigs at clubs such as Buddy Guy’s “Legends”, Rosa’s Lounge, Kingston Mines, Blues on Halsted, and also performed at the Chicago Blues Festival, The Taste of Chicago and many other festivals and clubs in the surrounding states. The DeVilles have gone through a few different phases in the past 11 years. Originally a hard hitting Texas blues band, playing tunes from the likes of Stevie Ray Vaughan and Jimi Hendrix. But have now settled into a new groove. Pete’s song writing, singing and guitar playing have evolved into something that can’t quite be described or put under genre titles, but still remain comfortable in the Blues / Roots camp.

Since the late 60’s Phil has been at the forefront of this genre as well as exploring other styles widely. His ability to absorb other styles and craft them to suit his personality has made him one of the truly unique performers of his time.

A founder & continuing member of the now legendary ‘Chain’, Phil Manning has long been regarded as the most effective blues guitarist produced in this country as well as a fine session player.

(Chain are the only blues band to ever have a number one (‘Black’n’Blue’), they also had a number two (‘Judgment’).  ‘Toward The Blues’, their 1971 album went double gold).

Qynn is a guitarist of rare depth and feel.

He lives in Margaret river in Western Australia, and sites his family, forest  ocean surroundings and European and indigenous heritage, as his main influences.

Music has the power to inspire, entertain and communicate. These are all aspects that Qynn holds dear to his heart.     

“I have played professionally since I was 9 years old. Music has been the one constant in my life all that time. I want people that come to my gigs to be glad they have shared that time with me, to feel happy, entertained and hopefully inspired.”

He brings his unique approach to the blues back to the winter blues festival for a second consecutive year. His music casts a broad net, citing influences from Roy Buchannan and George Harrison, to Julian Bream and Angus Young.

Qynn has toured Canada, Africa, Europe, most of our wide brown land, and played over 160 shows this past year.

Qynn is endorsed by, and proudly plays Strauss amplification, Tokai Guitars, Udelele and Scott Wise of Margaret River.

Sean McConnell is a young Blues/rock/folk slide guitarist, harmonica player and singer. Given his first harmonica at age four at the Echuca Blues Festival, Sean has continued to expand his musical style to blend together the classic raw blues grooves with the more contemporary sounds of artists such as John Butler, Jeff Lang and Xavier Rudd.

Sean has performed with some of Australia’s great musicians including; Wayne Jury, Phil Manning, Andy Baylor, Sarah Carroll, Collard Greens & Gravy, Shannon Noll, Tim Neal, Salty Dog and The George MacFloyd Band.

The Shane Pacey Blues Trio is that rare (and becoming rarer!) thing, a dedicated blues band, rather than a solo star with supporting musicians.

Although Shane’s other band, The Bondi Cigars is still very much a going concern, Shane recently felt the strong urge to revisit the music that turned him on when he first started playing, such as the guitar playing and singing of Peter Green and the short sharp style coming out of Chess Records in the 50’s and 60s.

“The main aim,” states Shane “Is to create something totally different to The Cigars”

Bearing that in mind, people should not expect any Cigars material at an SPBT gig, but rather a no-nonsense trip through blues’ back pages, all played with Shane’s customary attack and passion.

Shannon comes from a place where other Australian guitarist songwriters don’t.

A dark and rich place, deep with ominous tones of foreboding.

And the guitar playing is way past other singer/songwriters.

There is no Dylan here. No stomp boxes, no fashion.

Just what music should be . Honest, from the soul and brilliant.

Together with his band featuring Karl Willebrant(Jimi Hocking), Dean Matters(Geoff Achison, Eran James) and at certain times with Richard Tankard(Richard Clapton, Blue Heat)he plans to lead you through his own vision of where blues/roots music is headed. Always honest and 100 % committed. As heard on his brilliant new live album “62:49 LIVE”

All born and raised here in Echuca, Lokki Somerville, Narjiic Day-Burns and Brody Atkinson have been playing music together for over 10 years now. The guys started playing music together early in High school and have evolved into a band called “THE SMOKIN GUM” which keeps evolving as time ticks on.

The band uses congas, didgeridoo, acoustic and electric instruments and has what can be described as a tight groove that can be enjoyed on a small or large scale.

Playing all types of acoustic covers, the guys are seen regularly gigging around the town. For booking please contact The Smokin Gum via Facebook at www.facebook.com/thesmokingum .

Geelong-based Stringybark McDowell, one of the Blues scenes’ great characters, is also one of Victoria’s best known and treasured performers. For many years McDowell was the front man for much loved Junk Band bluesers the Muddy Puddles whose performances, irreverent humour and unique take on rustic Blues earned them a loyal following throughout rural Australia. McDowell is also a regular fixture on the Australian festival circuit and a staple performer for the Queenscliff Blues Train, and a McDowell performance is always an experience in no-holds-barred, authentic primal Blues, drawing much inspiration from pre-war masters of the genre, delivered with a healthy dose of mad cap merriment. With his uniquely individual appearance, rapid fire hilarity and an array of homemade instruments, McDowell is undeniably a one-of-a-kind and a natural born entertainer who always delivers.

“Wayne Jury’s music can evoke strong emotions. His exceptional voice has the power, the technical strength and the main ingredient – absolutely heartfelt soul – to really move the audience.” – Frankie Lee (ABC Sydney)

“Wayne Jury is one of the best blues singers in this country.” -  Michael Smith, Drum Media Sydney.

Fresh from the launch of their third album “Straight Out The Gate”, Melbourne band Spoonful are performing with fire in their bellies.  The live show captures Spoonfuls love of the body moving, vocally tense stylings of Soul, the insistent beats of electric Rhythm and Blues and the good time shenanigans of Rock and Roll.  And it’s always a lot of fun.

For 10 years, Spoonful has served as something of a musical home base for David Lord (harmonica/keyboards/vocals), Paul Winstanley (bass) and brothers Andre and Kit Warhurst (guitar/vocals and drums/vocals respectively).  Andre has spent time as guitarist for Melbourne based band Neon, recorded slide guitar on Jet’s debut record and is currently collaborating with Kram as part of the Spiderbait frontman’s solo project.  Kit is a member of Rocket Science, The Bowers, The City Lights and the “Spicks And Specks” touring house band The Specktors.  David Lord is an original member of Alt Country band The Rectifiers.  Together, the foursome started Spoonful to ensure that amid their other musical travels, they still got to play some of the sounds they collectively love.

Australian Blues sensation PJ O’Brien knows how to get a Blues party started. His fat and funky fretwork has been turning heads from Perth to Memphis, Chicago, Austin, London, Singapore and back again. Along with frequent flyer points PJ has gathered a swag of awards including: Blues Song of the Year, WA Music Awards (WAMIs); Music Oz Blues Artist of the Year; Sydney Blues Society Performer of the Year; Best New Talent and Song of the Year, ‘Chain’ Australian Blues Awards.

Driven by PJ’s hard-edged, Chicago and Texas style guitar and accompanied by his smooth, soul-filled vocals, PJ’S music is receiving worldwide acclaim. His Blues exude a retro and modern feel simultaneously, delivering award-winning songwriting and spine-tingling dynamics. Tom Hyslop of Blues Revue USA has labelled PJ ‘a talent to watch’ and Al Hensley of Rhythms Magazine Australia recently named him ‘one of the brightest talents to emerge on the Aussie Blues scene in a long while….an international blues star on the rise’. The PJ O’Brien Band also features legendary bass player Al Britton (Bondi Cigars), Dave Fester (Glen Cardier and the Sideshow).

Click here to download PDF of Band Grid 2013

Cass Eager has found herself in a multitude of musical scenarios over the years, from   the acoustic roots of her 2007 debut ‘Beautiful Day’ to the funky festivities of 2009’s ‘Santa’s Got Soul!’ and now with the release of her new EP ‘Down On My Knees’ Cass continues her trip.

‘One of Sydney’s most gifted singer-songwriters, whose refreshingly honest, raspy, almost Joplin-esque like voice is hers alone, and whose songwriting will spellbind the listener.’ Drum Media. ‘Eager’s voice is the driving force of her music.’ Whistler Question, Canada.

It would be a generalisation to group 20 year old Alister Turrill with other young roots players. His style blends a true form of blues with complex song writing seldom seen in someone so young. He won the 2011 Melbourne Youth in Blues award and as a result has been taking guidance from Australia’s most respected blues artists. He’s shared the stage with Jeff Lang, Geoff Achison and Lloyd Spiegel on several occasions and has supported the likes of Ash Grunwald, Tim Freedman and Shane Howard.

In his two years of performing, Alister has performed right across Victoria and played a bunch of festivals including The Queenscliff Music Festival, Apollo Bay Music Festival and Port Fairy Folk Festival.

Throughout this time he has won a series of awards and competitions including

- Apollo Bay ‘Next wave’ performance and song writing competition 2012

- Queenscliff Music Festival ‘Perpetual scholarship’ 2012

2013 has seen Alister Turrill unleash his debut album ‘Reverence & Resonance’, a collection of original, raw, passionate and honest songs.

The 2013 band listing has just been finalised by Hugo Armstrong and Chris Longmore.

Click on this link to download.

THIS YEARS ECHUCA MOAMA WINTER BLUES FESTIVAL WILL BE BIGGER THAN EVER!

In fact there are so many artists in this years festival we will have to rotate them on our website! But hurry and make your booking at your favourite restaurant and motel as we are getting unprecedented demand with bigger than normal crowds expected this year.

Geoff is a very successful independent Blues/Roots musician who has taken his music around the world. With his energetic live performances showcasing his creative guitar style and soulful vocals Geoff delivers a wide range of funky original tunes and inspired arrangements of blues/rock standards.

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