2010 Festival Artists

BLUE KING BROWN | MISTA SAVONA

JEFF LANG | CHASE THE SUN

The festival will feature a diverse range of musical styles with poetry and storytelling thrown in as well.

There will be a number of venues operating from Friday afternoon to Monday afternoon in Perisher Valley, Smiggin Holes and Guthega Alpine Village.

The event will include around 40 artists from all over Australia in 120 concerts, workshops, dances and feature presentations.

New artist announcements: Blue King Brown, Mista Savona, Jeff Lang, Martin Pearson

The artists so far

a FRENCH BUTLER called SMITH
Big Erle
Big Snore Hammers
Blue King Brown
Bruce Watson
Carol Heuchan
Chase The Sun
Circus Wow
Coolgrass
Damon Davies and Damien Neil
Gobsmacked!
Gregory North
Greshka
Grimick
Hussy Hicks
Jan Lewis & Linton Vogel
Jan Preston DUO
Jeff Lang
Kim Churchill
Lee Taylor-Friend
Lilli Pilli
Martin Pearson
Mick Thomas
Mike Martin
Mista Savona
Oneill & Rodgers
Pete Wild & the Only Ones
Peter Mace
Riogh
Rough Red
Sabrina & The Red Vans
TallaTango
The Barons of Tang
The Crooked Fiddle Band
The Lurkers
The Tealeaves
Vorn Doolette
Wongawilli
Zamboni The Magician
Zondrae King

2009 Artists

There were 45 artists who performed in 140 concerts in 11 venues from Friday to Monday afternoon, see full list below.

Here's some of the artists.....

	TEX PERKINS with Charlie Owen & James Cruikshank From grungy pub rock to evocative soundscapes and world-weary dark country, Tex Perkins has loomed large over the years as one of Australia’s biggest rock stars with a quintessentially Australian sound. For the festival the very smooth Tex Perkins will be teaming up with Charlie Owen and James Cruikshank. This classic trio has played with some of Australia’s favourite bands - The Cruel Sea, The Beasts of Bourbon, Catfish and the Dark Horses. Don’t miss out on catching Tex, Charlie and James for some potent country blues in a very intimate setting.

	The Audreys Fresh from taking home their second Aria Award, The Audreys will be wowing the crowds at Perisher with two shows at the festival. With their distinct style of alt country mixed with a little blues and roots, their latest award-winning album When The Flood Comes has been described as ‘stunningly original’, ‘indescribably beautiful’ and ‘absolutely brilliant’. For festival goers it’s an opportunity to curl up in an armchair by the fire and be taken on a very unique journey with one of Australia’s finest acts.	Website Myspace

	A French Butler Called Smith A FRENCH BUTLER called SMITH first starting jamming together in mid 2008 and began formulating their own new style of high energy, organic funk and world roots music. Consisting of Scott French, Jake 'the Butler' Martin and Brennan Smith, the instrumental trio have been busy pumping dancefloors and jamming with various guests from horn sections to didgeridoos and occasional guest vocalists. They've just finished recording their debut EP recorded at Lovestreet Studios and are planning to take their new funk, latin, reggae, gypsy sound to audiences far and wide.	Myspace

	Ami Williamson "Ami’s show is one of the most original I’ve seen in a long time. She has a rare talent and a natural flair for lyrics; this is an artist to watch" - Eric Bogle. "ONE WOMAN SHOW AT ITS BEST. Ami Williamson will astound you with her beautiful vocals, edgy songwriting and sheer stage presence- a must see!" (Drum Media) "Ami has created something that's not quite country, not quite folk, not quite classical and not quite pop, but an exciting mix of all of the above and more." (Sunday Arts ABC)	Website Myspace

	Azadoota Always welcoming travelling musicians, backpackers and nomads of all persuasions, the fluid nature of Azadoota’s lineup makes every performance unique. The one constant however, is Iraqi-born front man, singer and songwriter Robin Zirwanda. Robin spent the early part of his career as a percussionist, before the rising profile of world music pioneers Youssou N’Dour and Salif Keita prompted him to step out from behind the congas and unleash Assyrian lyrics onto unsuspecting pub-goers. Defying ethnic barriers as well as musical ones, Robin has created with Azadoota a true hybrid of contemporary musical cultures. “Azadoota” is Assyrian for “Freedom”.	Website Myspace

	The Band Who Knew Too Much The Band Who Knew Too Much are a bona-fide foolproof floor-packing band. For over a decade they have branded their sound around the world; a highly energetic act that is at home singing on the festival stage, busking unplugged on the city streets, or anything inbetween!	Website Myspace

	Big Erle Self described as Bent Bluegrass with an Afro twist. His strong vocal overlays his fingerpicking slide/lapslide/acoustic guitar style. The driving rhythm and beats of Drewe (bass) Kade and Damo (percussion) bend the classic blues style reflecting its tribal origins. Big Erle also features the fabulous trumpet playing of Matt Ward creating a unique and tempered style.	Myspace

	Bruce Mathiske Bruce Mathiske's fiery fretwork of solo guitar orchestra playing bass, rhythm & melody at once, encompassing a huge range of genres from swing to Latin, Jazz to African, Folk to flamenco, gypsy to ambient/landscape simultaneously playing didgeridoo. You will be taken on a journey with infectious rhythms from far flung corners of his guitar.	Website

	Davidson Brothers Just into their early 20s, the Davidson Brothers are Australia’s number one Bluegrass act. Having toured Australia extensively and the USA, these two young blokes have all the energy & drive of their generation and an innate ability to transpose that to a younger audience. They won their first Golden Guitar award in 2009 for Instrumental of the year and both Hamish & Lachlan hold current National Bluegrass Championships.	Website Myspace

	Enda Kenny & Lindsay Martin Dublin born songwriter, Enda Kenny has lived in Melbourne, Australia since 1987. Like the seanachies and yarn spinners before him, Enda’s songs describe stories of life, of humour, of nature and injustice. Enda’s gift as a performer is his ability to bring alive the individual experience in a way his audience intuitively relates to. 'Australia's finest folk-singer' SMH 'Enda's songs get right to the heart of the Australian experience and accompanists don't come any better than Lindsay Martin' Fairbridge Festival WA	Website

	Handsome Young Strangers The Handsome Young Strangers (HYS) are a six piece from Sydney who exploded onto the live scene in 2005 with their brand of colonial, folk / rock madness. They sing tunes about bushrangers, shearing, droving, war veterans and iconic Australians .... and all delivered with the intensity of a runaway victa lawnmower ! HYS take their influences from such revered acts as: The Bushwackers, Redgum, Roaring Jack and Weddings Parties Anything whilst displaying an originality that shines through in their own songs.	Myspace

	High Fidelity High Fidelity is a dynamic instrumental trio from the Illawarra region of New South Wales, Australia, whose music showcases the many facets of violin or fiddle playing. Consisting of violinists Niki Donald and Caroline Trengove, and guitarist Simon Dyos, they bring together the worlds of folk, rock, country and classical to produce original music which is both moving and highly energetic. High Fidelity will take it's listeners through a myriad of musical moments from a passionate Tango, to an Irish Air, on to a foot stomping Hoe-Down and into a Rock ballad.	Myspace

	Humbug Take some bush musicians and 60s rock guitarists, a classical flautist and a few community choir singers and actors and you have Humbug! While recently described as 'Canberra's best Celtic group', Humbug’s repertoire is as varied and eclectic as the backgrounds of its members. Lively performances feature distinctive vocal harmonies reviving songs rarely heard these days - from poignant Celtic ballads to rousing singalongs of favourite 60s & 70s standards.	Website Myspace

	Jenny M Thomas "Jenny M Thomas rescues Australian folk from the world of beards and blue jeans" THE AGE. A Golden Fiddle Award winner, she is a fiddle-singer who challenges tradition with breathtaking confidence as she tours her music around the world. As a former Circus Oz performer and orchestral soloist, she has no fear and is influenced as much by Radiohead and Bjork as the old trad players. She doesn’t just sing traditional Australian songs; she plays with them, rips them apart and lovingly puts them back together as "works of exquisite beauty" (Music Forum).	Website Myspace

	Mothers of Intention The ‘mothers of intention‘ are a spirited four piece band sharing a love of music and an enduring friendship. With vocals, guitars, fiddle, mandolin, recorder, bodhrans and doumbek. Our extensive repertoire includes a vibrant mix of Celtic, Folk, Original and Folk inspired covers. From Irish standards, soulful ballads sung in three part harmony to fast jigs and reels and slow airs. An eclectic mix of music to dance or listen to.	Website

	Paul Robert Burton Trio Paul Robert Burton is a multi-tasking, multi-instrumentalist, singer/ songwriter/ producer and sound engineer that performs a highly eclectic repertoire of originals and unusual traditional musical pieces. Best described as a “one man band”, his music reflects an interesting creative blend of Blues, Celtic, Rockabilly, Gypsy, Middle Eastern, Gospel, Bluegrass, Swing, Jazz & Folk Rock influences.	Website Myspace

	Queen Juanita and The Zydeco Cowboys Queen Juanita and the Zydeco Cowboys is a zydeco swing dance band featuring Queen Juanita on vocals and piano accordion and Dr Zot on guitar. This band looks like it’s stepped right out of the 1950s with rockabilly fashions, upright bass, hot rhythms and a dangerously danceable attitude. Queen Juanita and her band celebrate the exquisite melting pot of sounds of Louisiana covering Zydeco, Cajun, Country, Western Swing, Swing Blues, Jazz, Rockabilly and Reggae. Be ready to dance and to party!	Myspace

	Sal Kimber and The Good Ole Boys In defiance of any idea that it has all been done before, ‘Sal Kimber and the Good Ole Boys’ offer a unique and refreshing take on Australiana. Sounding rural and rootsy but with urban savvy, their live shows are charismatic and engaging. From cut back duets on the banjo and glockenspiel to five piece rock n roll alt-country tracks, they share tales of ghost towns, rebels, romance and rain. Described as 'one of Australia's best emerging songwriters'	Website Myspace

	Sunas Súnas is a fiery four-piece Celtic band featuring multi-instrumentalists and exquisite four-part vocal harmonies. They play a unique and unforgettable blend of original, contemporary and traditional tunes and songs. Instruments played by the group include flute, whistles, fiddle, mandolin, bouzouki, guitar and bodhran. They perform regularly in their hometown of Brisbane, but can be seen all over Australia at festivals including Woodford, Cygnet, Port Fairy, The National and Wintermoon. With their endless energy and entertaining stage-presence, Súnas is one group not to be missed!	Website Myspace

	Usutu 8 piece afro-beat orchestra USUTU performs intricate and powerful original music influenced by funk, jazz, reggae, salsa, kwaito, as well as South African and West African traditional and popular music. Between them they have performed and recorded with some of the world’s greats including Hugh Masekela, Youssou N’Dour, Miriam Makeba, Spanish Harlem Orchestra, Baaba Maal. Usutu have captivated audiences all around Australia with their highly energetic, danceable beats and singable melodies.	Website

	Vardos "With stagecraft that is equal parts formation dancing, martial arts and Keystone Cops, the violin-accordion-double bass trio play with formidable panache, spinning the tunes into a dizzying procession of crescendos and false stops. ...Vardos don´t hold back. They give the tumbling, compound-time dances and slow airs- so sad they can´t bring themselves to sing the words- both barrels and not a few of Hunt´s bow hairs." Rob Adams, The Herald, Edinburgh 11/08 2004	Website

	Wheeze and Suck Band Festival favourites from Woodford to Auckland, the Wheeze & Suck Band have been entertaining audiences for over 10 years with their eclectic mix of traditional and contemporary English based music. With their stunning 4 part harmonies and their energetic dance tunes they are the quintessential festival band.	Website

	The Woohoo Revue The sound of The Woohoo Revue reflects the unique experience of a ‘gypsy’ band raised on Melbourne dance floors. Their debut album, Dear Animals, is a frenetic blend of Balkan melodies, latin flavours, swing and dance floor savvy. It is music in the essence of the traditional Roma culture of Eastern Europe. Every song holds such a strong sense of occasion. It is music that will make you feel as if you have fallen into the ring of a circus. It is music of celebration.	Myspace

	Wongawilli The Wongawilli Band has been an ambassador for Australian folk music since 1987. Since that time they have continued to revive old songs and tunes and to create new ones in the style. In recent years the band has performed in China (3 times), Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Germany, New Zealand and the UK. The band has performed at all major folk festivals in all Australian states. Their recent album ‘Australia Street’ is a fine reflection of their enthusiasm, musicianship and creativity.	Website Myspace