The Joelenes have played to packed saloons since forming in 2005, pulling crowds to festivals (Tamworth Country Music Festival, Sydney Road Street Party, Dollywood Western Shirts Party), country pubs (Wagga Wagga, Nundle, Murrurundi) and inner-city boozers Northcote Social Club, Brunswick Green, Labor in Vain Hotel, Standard Hotel, East Brunswick Club and Melbourne's Spanish Club - may it RIP).
Their sound is shaped by three-part harmonies, acoustic guitars, harmonica licks, rollicking keys, mandolin, stripped-back drums and slappin' bass lines - it's a little bit bluesy, a little bit hootenanny, a little bit folky and a whole lotta alt-country.
The between-song banter rolls thick and fast and the tunes suit all thigh-slappin' sizes, from anklebiters to grannies, and there's always plenty of foot-tappin' and dancin'.
Based in Melbourne, Braemar, consisting of Eddie Lewis and Marc de Rijk, is undoubtedly one of Australia’s best Celtic duos delighting audiences around the country with an impressive performance resumé of classic Scottish and Irish songs. The duo is renowned for lavish harmonies and for its “passionate commitment ….. to continuing the tradition of the Celtic diaspora”.
At the Beechworth Celtic Festival in November 2007, Braemar mesmerised full houses at the Town Hall for two performances of **‘Lochaber No More’, a history of the Jacobite rebellions and the aftermath told in narrative and song. Reflecting the outstanding performance, the show received a standing ovation on each occasion and there ‘was hardly a dry eye in the house’ such was the stirring of patriotic raw emotion. The Scottish Australian Heritage Council is eager to support a performance of the show in Sydney in the near future and Braemar anticipates **‘Lochaber No More’ will be performed at Folk and Celtic festivals throughout the nation in 2008/9.
Rant
Bhan Tre
Bhan Tre is an all female acoustic trio with a repertoire of traditional Irish tunes and songs and a selection of original songs with a Celtic flavour.
Fingerboard Road
Have previously performed at the Koroit Irish festival in 2004
Horny Toads
The Toads were spawned outside a pub at the 2001 Maldon Festival with an impromptu gathering of like- minded musicians entertaining the masses spilling out of the bar and on to the footpath. Subsequent meetings at the 2002 Fiddlers Convention and occasional venues resulted in a decision to "get the band together", and the first official Toads gig started in late 2002.
While the band has its musical roots in bluegrass and country styles, we are the first to admit, "We’re not really bluegrass - we play stuff the way we like it!" The band covers a broad variety of material including ‘traditional’ songs and tunes, country standards, rock classics and even the odd original. The Toads have a new Album called "Rock is dead...long live paper and scissors", have a listen to a couple of tracks.
Rusty Bucks
Warrnambool’s The Rusty Bucks have been handpicked to perform at the Tamworth Country Music Festival this month. The event is the biggest country music festival in Australia and is regarded internationally as one of the best festivals in the world. It runs from January 18 to January 27.
The Rusty Bucks have been selected to open the Australia Day concert and will also perform three shows at the famous Peel Street stage in downtown Tamworth. The band has been a regular fixture in the south west since forming in 2005. It comprises Russ Goodear (vocals, guitar), Michael Schack (bass, guitar, dobro, slide guitar, vocals), Ricky Holmes (harmonica/banjo) and Brett Holbrook (harmonica, mandolin, fiddle, vocals), who are all veterans of the Warrnambool music scene. Goodear said the Tamworth performance would be a chance to play their rarely aired original material as well as some choice covers. It’s our pinnacle!, he said. Schack and Goodear have played at previous Tamworths as part of the Louie and the Rustlers, but for the Rusty Bucks it will be their biggest festival appearance to date. Locally the group has performed at the Port Fairy Folk Festival, Wunta and the Koroit Irish Festival.
Maria Forde
Maria Forde is one of Australia’s finest voices, not only for her rich, beautiful vocal tones, but for the inspired and passionate songs she writes, stories of life, love and the land. Backed by a band featuring renowned guitarist Phil Manning, her fifth album 'Next' has Maria taking a strong new direction. With elements of country rock alongside some outstanding ballads that carry her inherent celtic influences, this album finds Maria Forde at her best.
A regular favourite at venues and festivals around Australia, as well as numerous Television and radio appearances, Maria has also supported international artists such as the Furey’s, Foster & Allen, Kieran Goss and Daniel O’Donnell. (The Furey’s have recorded two of Maria’s songs - "Waltzing Matilda, My Darling" and "Will You Dance With Me?").
Based in Melbourne, Maria has a strong connection to her Irish ancestry, she has regularly toured to the Emerald Isle to perform, write and record. In 2001 Maria performed the national anthem to the stadium and an international television audience at Football Park Adelaide, for the Australia vs Ireland 'International Rules' football match.In 1994 Maria’s debut album 'Will You Dance With Me?', immediately attained high rotation on Melbourne radio. The title track, featured in the Channel 9 show ‘Weddings’, has become enormously popular as a wedding song all over Australia. A decade later this album’s popularity has endured. With four more recordings to her name, Maria has firmly established herself as a dynamic artist with longevity and substance.Maria has been awarded nationally and internationally for her songwriting. Her strength lies in her ability to write timeless material that connects with people’s lives.
AWARDS - Songwriting."Faces In The Photograph" Dun Laoghaire, Song Contest,1995-Best New Song (Ireland)Glinsk, Song Contest, 1995 - Runner Up. (Ireland)Keadue, Irish Songwriters Award, 1995-Best Song (Ireland)Tamworth, Songwriters Contest, 1995 (Australia)"May God Bless You" Australian Songwriters Association,1995 (Australia)"Follow The Call" Australian Songwriters Association,1996 (Australia)
Inducted as the 2006 "Legend of the Lake" at the Lake School launch in Koroit on 22nd July 2006
Discography WILL YOU DANCE WITH ME? (MFCD001)DARK ISLAND (MFCD002) FOLLOW THE CALL (BMM 211.2) ROUGH DIAMOND (BMM 255.2)NEXT (BMM 282.2)
Angie Browning and Geoff McArthur
Angie and Geoff have been performing together for the past three years at various festivals around Victoria, Australia. They met soon after Angie moved to Ballarat - Geoff's hometown - from Gippsland and have formed a unique musical partnership.
Originally performing many of their favorite covers by artists such as Mary Black, Nancy Griffith, Joni Mitchell, etc - they have both been writing songs over the past couple of years and their performances now consist predominantly of their own distinctive compositions.
Angie's beautiful and captivating voice has an immediate impact on audiences, as does her sensitive interpretation of every song that she sings. Geoff's unique fingerstyle acoustic guitar accompaniment provides the perfect background. Performances at Maldon Folk Festival, Port Fairy Fringe Festival and a number of other venues and events around Victoria have led to an enthusiastic following for their special blend of folk, country and sweet, sad songs.
Pinnochio’s Nose
A ‘Folk Combo’ music repertoire of mainly rollicking Australian and Irish folk songs, they stimulate audience sing-a-long, hand-clapping, toe-tapping, and even some spontaneous dancing of a lively jig. Popular numbers include: Lachlan Tigers, Rye Back Shearer, Lazy Harry’s, We Shall Not Be Moved, Black Velvet Band, Salonika.
Arizona Jones AKA Timothy Scher
Join this archeologist adventurer extraordinare played by Philadelphia's own Timothy Scher, in a satirical tribute to one of pop culture’s greatest icons. Arizona will amaze you with a treasure chest of whip-cracking, animal traps, magic, fire bullwhips Sahara-dry humour, dancing, origami, and a 14 foot golden pole! This is an innovative comic adventure with a breathtaking finale as Arizona and his volunteers search for the Holy Grail. Since 1987, Tim has performed throughout North America, Europe, Asia, and Australasia; in comedy clubs, cabarets, festivals, stages, television, and on the streets of 24 countries. He currently lives in Melbourne, Australia.
O'Shea- Ryan Academy of Irish Dance
A local dance group - ranging in age from very young to adults - colourful Irish
costumes, experienced performers and young enthusiasts.
Lifon Henderson
Lifon Henderson is a young man who has worked with his father as an entertainer, particularly in circus, since he was a child. In recent years they have worked together successfully in schools, delivering workshops based around those skills. Part of their repertoire has been music and singing. Lifon has had some experience in entertaining in the music industry and has made some attempts to extend himself into this area. He has worked musically (instrumental, vocal) in cafes in Melbourne and Castlemaine. Lifon did some formal training in drama at Deakin University, but has not received a formal academic qualification. Presently, he is working with a local theatre group in Castlemaine on a comedy (political satire).
