Kangaroo Valley Folk Festival 22-24 October 2010
In Australia's Most Beautiful Valley
Fred Smith
EcoBeaT
Nick Rheinberger
Full List of 2009 Performers
Alan Blackshaw is a singer songwriter in the folk tradition. His songs reflect a passionate observation of modern life. After an absence from the folk scene for a number of years Alan is returning with a whole new swag of original material. His songs are evidence of passionate and thoughtful view of life. Now settled on the south coast of NSW he is concentrating on continuing to write and perform his material in a range of venues including pubs, clubs, folk clubs, festivals.
Alan Musgrove and his Watsaname Band play traditional Australian in all its varied forms, from the transplanted anglo/Irish ballads and convict period songs through to the bush music that has become iconic. Alan Musgrove has spent 30 years collecting Australian songs and dance music and the Watsaname band was formed in 2004 to present this material with freshness and vitality.
Black Joak Morris Traditional morris dance from the Cotwolds in England. They will be appearing at random times and locations during the festival and will be teaching morris dance on the Village Green at 1.15 each day.
Bowral House As the name implies, this group hails from the Southern Highlands. The name is a corruption of "Barrelhouse", the old blues style. John Hall has spent a lifetime playing early country blues. Jason Winter drives the band with his upright bass Beryl. Brian Rapsey brings his extraordinary blues harmonica style to the band's repertoire.
Bright Stars Choir "Bright Morning Stars Are Rising" is the opening line of the gospel song which is the inspiration for the name of the a cappella group, the Bright Star Singers. While they have taken their name from the gospel song, their repertoire is varied and eclectic, ranging from folk songs, medieval music, and 70's "do wop" to Christmas carols.
Buck & Deanne's sound draws deep on the roots of country, rockabilly, folk and blues music. They sing songs of yearning, hurt and hope, about a place - like life - where joy and sorrow walk hand in hand. Together they collaborate on Buck's original material as well as placing their own special arrangements on the classics.
Carlos started his musical studies at the Conservatorium of Vigo, in Spain. From there he moved to Madrid, Barcelona and London, for studies under Gilbert Biberian. In recent years Carlos has given concerts in Spain, Britain, Mexico, Italy, Portugal, Israel, Greece, Austria and Australia. He has recorded programs for radio and created music for theatre. Carlos has a following of admirers through showing people the wonders of classical and Spanish music.
Concept is a trio of talented young musicians who play a variety of musical genres, focusing predominantly on a fusion of folk, blues, jazz and funk. Each of the members have had extensive performance experience, all having performed individually and with each other at various concerts through the Southern Highlands and South Coast areas, including all having engaged in lead singing and acting roles with the Highlands youth theatre group, SHYAC. All have been members of different bands, ensembles and musical groups, percussionist and multi-instrumentalist Christie Woodhouse having toured through Malaysia with the Southern Schools Performing Ensemble. These three musicians have come together to create a uniquely smooth, funky sound.
Daniel Champagne Young singer/songwriter/guitarist with musical depth far beyond his years and a guitar approach that just has to be seen to be believed. As a writer recently put it "Daniel Champagne has not only mastered his instrument, he's conquered it!". Daniel combines folk, blues and more experimental styles.
Dave Johnson More often observed in the wild in the company of other musicians Dave has been noted recently on his own, presenting "new" bush songs and old favourites. Equally at home with a schottische from a local concertina player, a fiddle tune from a field recording, one of his own tunes or a wide range of bush songs, Dave offers some experienced insight into our musical heritage. His recent CD Rough Sawn put a dozen poems about drovers, sailors, shearers, teamsters and the like to new melodies.
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EcoBeaT If you want to come and dance, this 9 piece band is big fun, blending guitars, bass, marimba, sax, clarinet, mandolin, accordion and harmonica, driven by vibrant percussion. EcoBeaT's original tunes and re-arranged trad songs from Balkans to Blues, African to Rom will have you on your feet in no time.
Folk Lines bring the traditions of our dance music and through performance in the present projects them into the future and in the process they aim to map a unique Australian musical landscape. This is not unlike the aboriginal song lines that have mapped the geographical and social life in Africa, Arabia and Australia. Fiddler Dave Johnson brings a long-time passion for the old tunes. Ray Mulligan adds a sweet accordion sound, and Peter Percival's chordal guitar work underpins band. Dave and Ray have been at the forefront of promoting the current resurgence of interest in bush music through Bush Traditions, the organisation hosting the Bush Gathering at Goulburn and the Bush Dancing Weekend in Bundanoon each year.
Food of Love is a community choir led by Joy Sharpe. The choir welcomes new members, regardless of experience, to learn a variety of songs from different cultures . They sing world music, gospel, celtic and contemporary at cafes, parties, folk and jazz festivals, and community events.
Fred Smith Over the last 10 years Fred Smith has emerged as one of Australia's most remarkable artists. An award-winning songwriter, comedian, journalist and radio broadcaster, he is the subject of the film Bougainville Sky about his work on peace keeping operations in the war-torn islands of the South Pacific. Fred presents his material with an engaging humour and a wry smile that has won hearts at festivals in Australia and North America.
George Bishop tries to spread good vibes around where ever he goes. He will play his happy songs for everybody and his sad songs mainly for himself. He loves nature and eating good food. He believes in free lunches and being happily poor is his life ambition.
Greg North Discovered wandering aimlessly in the Blue Mountains, this man of many hats will have you wondering which voice is really his. The accents and characters in his poems and yarns could be the result of medical experimentation or maybe he's just a freak of nature. Australian Champion bush poet, National Poetry Slam finalist, Greg is sure to entertain.
John Broomhall Trio "Listening to the songs of John Broomhall is like taking a long breath of fresh air", Sue Jarvis once observed in a feature article in Sydney's Sun Herald. Legendary folk musicians David DeSanti and Johnny Spillane combine with Broomhall to showcase the best of his recorded output during the past 26 years, including a selection of his most recent songs, in melodic and poetic evocations of landscape and identity.
John Warner "All hands! and both feet" is a program of songs, verse and activity totally misrepresenting the pirates' trade. Burton the Bosun, alias John Warner, will share his dreadful tales of plunder and piracy and total ineptitude upon the rolling main with anyone from 3 to 80 who dares to listen. Though fearsome weapons are brandished, no blood is shed in the telling of these tales. As in all John's work, the music and poetry are firmly rooted in the folk tradition. Burton the Bosun wants everybody to know that folk music is great music: it's singable, danceable and it's fun!
Kate Rowe with Ryan Morrison A sweet, funny and moving performance from a quirky and very imaginative female singer songwriter. Original, thoughtful songs about themes as diverse as talking dogs, the Parisian catacombs, a trip to scatter a parent's ashes at Jindabyne, and a love song for coffee, interspersed with charming real-life stories from France and Australia. Folk/country guitar and vocals with upbeat ukelele and piano accompaniment.
Kismet is a group of 13 and 14 year old students from Nowra Christian School, some of whom have been performing together for over 4 years. The band is comprised of guitar, bass, drums, vocals/ violin and occasionally keyboard and mandolin. The band has covered a variety of styles, although tends to stick with light folk, gospel and pop, such as The Corrs.
The Lurkers Political rabble rousers Mithra Cox, Martin Cubby and Nik Mueller sing new and used folk songs about work, life and political strife with banjo, mandolin, guitar and double bass. Forget about music in a lift and think about music that makes you want to save the planet and crush the ruling class. Join the Lurkers for music that will make you sing, shout, slap your partner's thigh and disrespect the Tories.
Margaret Bradford's singing will stir your soul, with her conscience-prodding, satirical, emotive songs on a variety of themes, with guitar accompaniment...as well as her renowned, sweet sounding bowed psaltery, singing old folk/popular classics. In the last 30 years Margaret has gained a strong following in the live music scene around Australia singing at clubs, festivals, schools, public rallies and house concerts around Australia and overseas. Margaret encourages children to be actively involved in making music and moving to music, which raises an awareness of their environment. She gets kids of all ages making instruments out of recycled materials.
Margaret Sharpe is the co-ordinator and caller for the Shoalhaven Folk and Bushdancing Club, based in the Nowra area, who have been meeting once a week since 1987. Margaret also teaches English country and Playford dancing to a small group once a month. She also enjoys doing Scottish Country, folk and New Vogue dancing, and is one of the callers at the Wongawilli Wednesday night dance.
Mothers of Intention, winners of the 2007 MusicOz awards, are a dynamic four piece acoustic band, reinterpreting the classic Celtic and modern day folk songs and tunes. Lush three part vocal harmony, driving rhythm guitar, fiery yet soulful fiddle, lilting whistles and the steady bodhran heartbeat define the Mothers sound. Rosie's voice has ability to transcend the mundane and evoke deep and personal yet subtle connection with the listener. Penny's intuitive harmonies and instinctive bodhran playing ground the sound while Tony's emotive fiddle playing and uncanny harmonies bring into accord the mothers harmonies. Lainey on ethereal whistles completes the sound bath as the Mothers whisk you away to another place, perhaps shrouded in Kangaroo Valley mist.
Mr Fibby are to engulf you in a howling dervish of despair. With them you shall wander through faux fairy tales most lamentable, past monstrous trees, men once dead, jealous lovers, lost gypsies, shattered hearts and a moon, as red as blood. The musicians shall pluck at your heart, as well as their instruments, while a lone man (from where? from when?) spins tales as delicate, and as deadly, as a spider's web. Mr. Fibby combine story-telling, original compositions and a highly theatrical show to weave for you tales of the old country with violin, cello, guitar and voice.
Nick Rheinberger is probably the most versatile performer on the Australian Folk Festival scene, and will often perform as a solo artist, with his funky folk band, as a leader of big blues jams, an actor, a comedian, a poet, a children's entertainer and an MC. Nick has been a presenter with ABC Illawarra for nearly five years, and continues to play at folk festivals throughout the country with various small instruments and his galvanised tricone resonator made from 1940's Lysaght galvanised iron.
No Such Thing is a group of musicians who, under the leadership of well known collector Alan Musgrove, play collected Australian dance tunes. The unusual name came about after a Scottish musician commented that "there is no such thing as Australian dance music". The band recreates the authentic feel of the old time dance bands and will soon get your feet tapping. They a favourite of the dancing fraternity, playing monthly at Wongawilli and other dances. They have appeared regularly at the Bulli and Jamberoo Folk Festivals.
Pastrami on Ryebuck Julie Bishop, Sydney's contra dance caller, with Pastrami on Ryebuck, Australia's first contra dance band. Fun, flowing, forgiving dances, grown in north-eastern USA and beyond, over 3 centuries, from English longways country dances. Flute, fiddles, keyboard or piano accordion, maybe more. Beginners welcome
The Powells Diana and Daryl Powell are long time stalwarts of the traditional music and dance scene in Canberra, where they have been running classes and dance events for over thirty years. Both are originally from country NSW, where their families were strong supporters of local music and dance. Their dance interests are very broad, but their chief focus is on traditional Australian dances, the dances of Central Europe, and the dances of Wales, Cornwall and the Isle of Man. In any case their workshops are always well researched and always a lot of fun.
Raised Voices is a community acappella choir. The repertoir is a diverse variety, including traditional, folk and modern songs.
Replay One of the youngest bands around has now been performing together for 5 years. "They get into festivals not just because they are young but because they are good". Writing and arranging much of their own music with Celtic and Gypsy influences the members of Replay range in age from 11 to 16. Talented multi-instrumentalists and dedicated young musicians, the future of folk music is so bright you'll need shades!
Richard Perso is a 17 year old multi-instrumentalist. On stage will be 3 didgeridoos, acoustic guitars including 6 string, 12 string, lap and steel tricone, stomp box, vocals and tambourine. Add 2 pickups to each guitar with1 fed to an an old Marshal amp and hang on for the ride. Crosses the boundaries of folk, roots and blues.
The Roaring Forties Sydney-based, mature, 4-5 piece group who sing unaccompanied traditional-style chorus songs in harmony; also original material with stringed accompaniment. Strong individual singers with vast repertoires of songs of the sea, mining, protest, gospel, anti-war, rural Australia, the environment. Individuals also specialise in children's songs, women's songs, bawdy songs and yarns.
The Puddin' Eaters A colourful mixture of story-telling, play acting, join-in music and dancing for kids of all ages. Meet ridiculously tall but extremely silly Rob the Storyteller, not-so-tall Stuart with his squeeze box and lovely Sally the Dance Caller (she's the one in the fabulous dress).
Revontulet Finnish Dancers is the premier Finnish Dance group in Australia. They are Based in Canberra. The Group performs the dancers of Finland but specialise in the Dances from the Karelian region of Finland. The group has a good repertoire of both traditional and choreographed dances and has performed at many festivals both in Australia and overseas. They also have conducted dance workshops at many festivals, including the National Folk Festival. Authentic music is provided by Helen and Greg Strutt.
The Selkies play traditional folk music based on the Irish, Scottish tradition using traditional instruments. They use vocal harmonies in their song interpretations taking traditional tunes and breathing life into them. Their repertoire connects the past to the present and the present to the past.
Shells is a singer, songwriter and acoustic guitarist, now teamed with bass guitarist Michael Crowley. Travelling has been a source of musical inspiration and through her original music she spreads her passion for the protection of wilderness areas. Shells' music weaves images of these wild places.
The Songcatchers are John Hall on guitar, banjo and lead vocals, legendary larrikin fiddler Bob McInnes, and Jason Winter on acoustic bass. They play traditional and contemporary folk roots, along with some of their own material, offering an authentic and refreshing sound.
Spooky Men's Chorale The big, stupid, black juggernaut rolls on as the Spooky Men's Chorale descends on the south, from their lofty homes in the Blue Mountains, in their quest for impossible masculine musico-foolishness. Recently returned from their third triumphant UK tour, they will again be regaling audiences with their unique blend of wry masculine humour, testosterone-drenched harmonies and heart-rending, rib-tickling original compositions and arrangements of unlikely rock standards by notorious antipodean choral impresario, Stephen Taberner, clutching their new dvd/ep 'De.ep'. They will also be appearing with 21st century troubadour, Fred Smith, to present their new award-winning collaboration 'Urban Sea Shanties' and sharing secrets from the Spooky lexicon in a Sing Like a Bloke Workshop (for Blokes of All Genders).
Torchsong Country Soul Band Imagine the heart of Hank Williams, The soul of Sam Cooke and a voice reminiscent of EmmyLou Harris personified in a 6 piece band who rock like Steve Earle and bring it down like the Cowboy Junkies. Somewhere within this grand aspiration lies the essence of The Torchsong Country Soul Band.
The Wheeze & 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.
The Winnetts Margaret & Bill Winnett have danced together for the past 45 years. Their absolute passion is for traditional Irish dancing - Margaret has been a traditional Irish step dancer since 1957, an Irish Ceili dancer since 1958 and, together with Bill, an Irish Set dancer since 1989. Bill himself began his Irish dance education in 1965 with the Sydney Irish Ceili Dancers which were formed in 1958. They have made twelve trips to Ireland learning and collecting many of the dances they teach here in Australia. They are held in high esteem by their peers around the world and have taught dancing both in Ireland and the USA. Their workshops at many festivals in Australia have been popular and well attended and their weekly classes in Sydney have produced many fine dancers who perform with the Sydney Irish Ceili Dancers and Margaret Winnett's Irish Step Dancers.
The Wongawilli Band from the South Coast of New South Wales plays traditional and contemporary Australian folk songs, dances and music."This ensemble is highly regarded in the field of interpreting authentic Australian traditional music, song and dance as a performance art. The group is recognised in Australia as a leading force in the revitalisation of our folk traditions" Warren Fahey, Festival Records. They play a range of instruments featuring piano, violin, accordion, guitar, lagerphone, banjo, whistle and mandolin.