Anne Ridgway and Rosie McDonald
A fresh collaboration, Anne Ridgway and Rosie McDonald (from Mothers of Intention) share a passion for vocal harmony, clearly evident in their performance. Rosie's rhythmic guitar skills and deep rich vocal quality are a perfect balance with Anne's dexterous finger work on guitar on 12 string along with her pure crystal clear vocals.
Anne’s soulful and ambient music has continues to receive acclaim and her album “Turn Your World Around” won her the award of “Blue Mountains Artist of the Year 2005”.
Together they collaborate on Anne's original material as well as placing their own special arrangements on well known songs from the CSNY and Joni Mitchell era as well as traditional English and Celtic ballads.
www.anneridgway.comwww.mothersofintention.com.au
Mothers of Intention
To watch ‘Mothers of Intention’ is to experience a richly textured performance. Lush vocal harmonies, layered instrumentals, driving rhythm guitar, fiery yet soulful fiddle, lilting recorder and the steady bodhran heartbeat define the Mothers sound.
‘Moi’ will take you on a journey of beautiful original material, lively jigs and reels, evocative ballads and some thoughtful arrangements of old favourites. The current line up is a testament to the evolving development of a unique and individual sound. ‘Mothers of Intention’ have been working on some exciting new material as well as enjoying the opportunity to showcase their new CD Watersong.
www.mothersofintention.com.au
The Blazing Suns
The Suns have been playing music since they were kids. It's an absolute way of life. Even when the Blues strike hard...or perhaps more so! All three members are full-time musicians, so they have the much appreciated luxury of being able to support themselves and their families through the art form they most love. Having just completed a new release they look forward to playing to as many Souls as possible throughout the city and beyond. Samples of their newest work are available to listen to at;
http://www.myspace.com/theblazingsuns.They possess true Rock 'n' Roll Hearts... which is a lovely gift from above.
I-Junk
I-junk is a 5-piece original power rock band, based in Sydney. I-Junk is a project ignited by a deep passion for rock and started almost with a stroke of serendipity. After years of playing in different types and styles of bands, Krystal, BK, Robert Dave and Joe formed I-Junk in 2005 in the hope of putting the “rock” back in Rock’n’Roll.
Apart from the band’s extensive background in writing, recording and performing, I-Junk’s versatility and dynamism enables it to put up entertaining and engaging performances. I-Junk has performed at various venues, both outdoors and indoors.
Although it has strong varied influences, I-Junk does not seek to replicate other rock legends. Instead, I-Junk seeks to produce a unique sound of their own by merging the signature rhythms of old-school rock with the modern sound of contemporary rock to suit ever-changing taste.
http://www.myspace.com/ijunkrock
Kent Eastwood
Blending urban lyrics & folk grooves with charm and a proudly Australian ruggedness, Sydney based Kent Eastwood's ballad-styled musicianship & live performances have already been likened in style to artists including The Whitlams & Bruce Springsteen since the release of his ep – Relaxin at Deans.
Kent will be touring in August to promote his debut album. Differences the first single from this new album has received airplay nationally including on Triple J. It was also featured on a recent Foghorn Records compilation alongside some Aussie greats including Paul Kelly & Tina Arena, and scored a top 10 in the Australian MP3 pop charts.
Outside of his own musical projects Kent is in demand as a pianist / keyboardist - and has recorded / toured with many acts including Waikiki (now enjoying international success as the Howling Bells).
Renny Field
Renny Field appears at Musicfest ahead of the release of his 3rd studio album in 2008. With a repertoire that has been built around consistent independent touring over the past few years, the sense of story is ever-present as he moves from piano to guitar and back again. Conveying every day experiences in a style that is truly his own - one that has seen him perform around the country, around the world, and earned him a reputation as a name to watch on the Australian music scene.
http://www.myspace.com/rennyfield
French School
The IB Music Students of The French School of Sydney will be performing as part of their music course. They are a group of very talented Musicians and Vocalist who always deliver a great performance. They are performing a number of different musical genres from Classical to Rap, R&B and Rock. This is the student’s final year at school before taking on the world. The performers include:
Lara Olender – Keyboard, Backing Vocals and Percussion
Olivier Corpe – Lead Vocals, Lead Guitar and Rhythm Guitar
Sara Ligeard – Lead Vocals, Keyboard
Pierre Martin – Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals and Keyboard.
Max Robins – Bass Guitar and Backing Vocals
Gisèle Scales
Gisèle Scales is spreading a message of peace, love & harmony, with her electric violin and multilingual vocals over electronic beats. Singing in English, French, Italian and German, Gisèle’s music draws from many different cultures, fusing her gypsy violin with Tibetan bells or indigenous Australian didgeridoo. Having album credits with Midnight Oil, Eurogliders, Vega (European No.1 funk single), Gisèle’s solo CD 2 Think fuses dance, rock, pop & world, into one hi-energy prayer for peace.
http://www.myspace.com/wwwmyspacecomgiselescales
Luke Escombe
Luke began his music career as a session guitarist in London before moving to Sydney to escape the cold. Since his arrival in Oz he has captained a 10-piece conceptual funk band, toured Tasmania with a comedy folk trio, been a featured artist on Triple J and World Vision, written essays for the Sydney Morning Herald and won accolades and awards for his unique way with words. He has recently been recording his first album as a solo artist, combining laidback grooves and exotic sounds with evocative stories of love, madness, sex, death, re-incarnation and foreign adventure
http://www.myspace.com/lukeescombe
Scott Hackett
"If Frank Zappa and Neil Young had conceived a child together, it'd be...a miracle of science. However, if the child had been allowed to live and perchance to develop an interest in microwave cookery, its name would very likely be Scott Hackett--.
Once described as The Jerry Seinfeld of song writing by an untraceable source on the internet, Scott’s lyrics tackle difficult topics of today, such as the difficulties inherent in interspecies marriage and the loneliness experienced by sex toys. His satirical pen leaves no stone unturned as Scott searches for songs a cut above "that boring old singer-songwriter introspection stuff".
7 out of 10 Elvis impersonators surveyed agree that Scott Hackett looks better in a koala suit than Pete Murray would.
With influences ranging from Jeff Lang to Bobby McFerrin via Django Reinhardt but none of the technical ability of the aforementioned artists, Scott’s music covers a few genres but is best described as halfassed Jazzy-blues-pop Folk. Scott has played shows in and around Sydney, supporting artists such as Fuji Collective, The Bakery and The Caca and is hoping to flood the airwaves* with his debut E.P. early in 2008.
*note: in case of natural disasters involving water, please replace with a drier metaphor."
http://www.myspace.com/hotshackett
Chris Gudu
Chris Gudu with his highly charged and sensational seven piece band celebrates the exhilarating sound of Zimbabwean Township Jive with powerful rhythms and dance. The Chris Gudu band completed a dynamic tour of Australia last year as they launched the album ‘Bavimbeni’ and now are about to deliver an even more passionate performance with the colourful rhythms of Zimbabwe and Southern Africa. Commonly known back in Southern Africa as “Umbaqanga”, his home grown sound really states the origin of the music.
Go to
www.youtube.com.au and search Chris Gudu to view video clips filmed in Hong Kong and Paris.
Visit
www.chrisgudu.com to find out more!
The Mixed Grill
Pal Sheldon: Guitar & Vocals
Mike Kirkley: Pedal Steel Guitar
Robert Steel: Keys & Guitar
Zelda Sheldon: Bass & Vocals
The Mixed Grill started performing around Sydney early 2007. Playing the songs of Pal Sheldon
the band’s sound draws on the folk influences of Gillian Welch and Dylan, the left-of-centre drama of Tom Waits, and the alt country sensibilities of Ryan Adams. There’s a good dollop of pop and even some smooth jazz crowd pleasers.
For more information and to hear The Mixed Grill check out their web site:
http://www.artecsound.com.au/mixedgrill/index.html
Something More Than Ordinary
Something More Than Ordinary is an eclectic band, tight and trashy and fun to dance to! They really mix up their genres so are hard to pigeonhole. Over the last year, this funky 4 piece led by Orion Reign have been making waves on the Sydney music scene with their high energy performances. Orion will wow you with his mastery of the keys and his hijinks! He's been known to rip off his shirt and jump into the audience to shake his booty. Meanwhile the party continues on stage with back up vocalist Fiona dancing around with Tom on bass and Frankie J on drums tossing his mop of crazy curls! It's impossible to sit still while watching SMTO!
Nadene Pita
Nadene studied Viola and Jazz Vocal at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music. She incorporates viola improvisations and solos, pedals and loops, along with real-time laptop manipulations and her vocals in live performance and recordings.
As a vocalist, Nadene has experience performing a diverse range of music. Her original compositions contain elements of improvisation, experimental, classical, jazz, world and electro-acoustic music. Her music defies categories of genre and expresses most explicitly her own personality as an artist.
Moving to Sydney in 1993 she studied Jazz Vocals with Joy Yates from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music.
In 1997-8 Nadene was resident vocalist for P&O on the cruise ship "Fair Princess". Since then she has worked with Sydney's top jazz musicians and session players performing in corporate and private functions, venues and clubs including the Sydney Opera House, The Icebergs Dining Room and Bar and The Basement.
She has also collaborated and performed with the Sydney Dance Company and worked as a soloist with the gospel ensemble Jubilation.
Nadene has collaborated noted with jazz pianist Matt McMahon, electronic artist Shoeb Ahmad (duo with Adrian Klumples) and most recently, acclaimed producer/musician Tony Dupé (Saddleback, Holly Throsby) for her debut recording of original compositions due for release late 2008.
http://www.myspace.com/nadene_pita
Serenata
Band members: Osmany Zuniga, Tina, Fabian and Oscar Gonzales
Serenata is the Spanish word for "serenade" ,a spontaneous or previously arranged knock-on-the-door late night music call offered by performers appointed to express through romantic songs the wishes of a lover towards his or her beloved. The tradition can still be found especially in the countryside, mostly in nations with Spanish background.
SERENATA is a new band in Sydney, Australia, that performs Cuban and tropical music within a mixture of styles originated in the Caribbean. The goal is, but not limited, to produce fresh covers of traditional Cuban songs as well as original music.
Adore
Adore is Huguette Marie-Josée and Satch Raman bringing on stage combined cross-cultural rhythms of Mauritius, Middle-East and Bollywood. These influences are crafted to breathe new life to old evergreen French melodies that are etched in our minds.
Lori Chacko
Lori is a force to be reckoned with! She is unique in everyway, a strong, sensual voice projected from a 185cm (6ft1") olive skinned, grey eyed blonde. If she were to be compared to anyone her powerful voice may be likened with Macy Gray, Chrissie Hynde, Renee Geyer or Seal. But on stage this tall, leggy blonde struts it like no other. She has an electrifying, energetic and magnetic presence that totally absorbs everyone within view. She can be melancholy and gut wrenching one minute then hard hitting and rocky the next.
Lori has played at world renowned venues such as Ritz, New York; China Club, New York and Whiskey A Go Go, LA. She has also played and recorded with Joe Jackson Band and was the opening act for Dave Stewart (Eurthymics) Spiritual Cowboys Tour and musicala 'Rent' in LA and 'Hollywood PO' She is most loved for her version of 'Once Bitten twice Shy", the rocky anthem that is the signature tune of the "Elvira Queen of the Darkness" cult Movies.
Once signed to Polygram US and EMI Publishing, Germany she is now residing in Australia and is contract free. This is one singer/songwriter that is well worth a listen to and if you are lucky enough to catch her live you'll be talking about her for years to come.
http://www.lorichacko.comHttp://www.myspace.com/lorichacko
Homeschool Choir
Homeschool choir began appoximately 10 years ago in someone's home when a bunch of homeschoolers wanted to create an opportunity for their children to sing together in a large group setting, have some fun and perform. We have had a number of teachers over the years our longest standing being Rachelle Elliot who really stretched the children and challenged them, bringing out their best during her time with us. Charlotte-Jane Maranda has joined with us this year for the first time and the children love the fun she has brought to the group. We are currently at Arncliffe but have been at Marricville and Petersham over the years.
This is our third year performing at Musicfest and we have performed at many carols by candle-light evenings, nursing homes and a local children's disabled school which is one of our annual highlights. One of the challenges of a homeschool choir is the wonderful blending of ages. Our children range in age from 5 to 17 and we currently have 45 children in the choir.
ETHOS – PATHOS – EFTPOS
ETHOS – PATHOS – EFTPOS is a Sydney based 4 pieces that plays in a musical style best described as ‘Country and Redfern’.
Original grooves and hard hitting lyrics create a journey for the audience that explores a diverse array of social issues ranging from lost love to drug addiction.
Ethos, Pathos, Eftpos have just started work on their first album due for release towards the end of 2008.
For further information contact Tony Evans on 0414 59 79 26 or by email
Anthony.Evans@uts.edu.au