artist biographies

chris wilson

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 80's saw Wilson as one of the finest vocalists, harmonica players and songwriters fronting the superb Crown of Thorns.

His instrumental gifts have often 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 Australias best musicians on stage and in the studio when realising his onw visions in song.

Chris has appeared at every major Australian festival and his peformances, filled as they are with his own brand of sensuality and th edymamic power that leaves his audiences so satisfied, and always as a highlight.  Wilson's stage presence, voice and talent are all as big as the country he lives in.  Chris Wilson is a master of his craft.

jimi (the human) hocking

Jimi Hocking is well known, not only from major folk and blues events, but also in the world of rock  - with stints in Spectre 7, The Angels, and of course The Screaming Jets. He has opened for and toured with many major artists including Joe Satriani, George Thorogood, Edgar Winter and Robben Ford. He even has fans such as BB King, who stated "I've been watching you... your're real good" . Very cool Mr King, very cool.

Jimi's style includes not only electric blues but also an acoustic range.  He is also famous for his humorous pre-ambles and thought provoking and 'tongue in cheek' original material that spans a nine album career.  Some back catalogue!

2005 saw Jimi win the INTERNATIONAL BLUES CHALLENGE in Memphis to follow his 2004 win of BLUES PEFORMER OF THE YEAR - awarded by Melbourne Blues Appreciation Society.  www.mbas.org.au

What a legend.

www.jimihocking.com

nick barker

Nick Barker, solo or with his band is an outstanding perfomer.  This is evident by his many recordings, and more importantly his live performances.  Every live show is a unique event.  One of Nick's greatest attributes is that he has the ability to read the audience, and creates a show especially for them.  He is subtle yet strong, humourous and thoughtful with his delivery and his songs. 

Musically, Nick does not fall into one specific category - he can be a bit of a chameleon - and blends into so many genres, it is as though he is part of the furniture.  Folk, Indie, Rock and - all so diverse, yet so deserving.  His songs can touch your heart with sweetness and sadness, or hit your gut with his earthy rock appeal.  Mostly, he shines rocking out in a pub.  No one rocks harder than Mr Barker.

Nick Barker has established himself over the last 20 years as an Australian Icon in Aussie Music.  He even opened on the 'Australian Icon' series at the Forum for Liberation Blue with Mark Seymour, Stephen Cummings, Joe Camelleri, Diesel, and James Reyne.  He has collaborated largely with all of these artists as well as Paul Kelly, Tim Rogers, Shane O'Mara, Mick Thomas and more.  Nick is hugely respected by prominent Australian artists, as well as having a large and loyal fan base.  He has had hits in JJJ's top 40, recorded many albums as a solo peformer, and also in rock bands "The Wreckery" and "Nick Barker and the Reptiles".

Nick Barker is without a doubt one of Australia's finest singer / songwriters, hardest rocking musicians, and all time nice guy.  Oh, and an Australian Icon.

www.nickbarker.com.au

www.myspace.com/nickbarkermusic

josh owen

Where to start?  Josh Owen is such a talented man and has had incredible positive feedback from the critics to back him up.  But he doesn't need it - his raw talent and style speaks for itself.  A heady mix of funk, blues and reggae with a shot of overriding soul is a delightful and original sound to drench your senses.

Josh's debut album 'The Josh Owen Band Live' was released in June 2005 and has been received so well, and such airplay that Josh followed up with a special edition of studio EP titled '6pm'.  Josh is certainly a man on the rise and worth keeping an eye on... tipped to be the next John Butler, or Ben Harper... or even better - the one and only Josh Owen!

With two highly successful releases behind him, regular appearances at Festivals, being voted into JJJ's top 100 for Blues / Roots, Josh Owens dynamic personality, brilliant songs, and soulful stream of presence look set to take him all the way from the Streets of Melbourne, onto the World Stage.

www.joshowen.com.au

phil para

Phil Para is an outstanding guitarist / singer / songwriter and undoubtedly one of the most exciting  performers in Australia.

Distinctive guitar talents push all the boundaries and are combined with a powerful stage presence.  Phil's energetic performance includes a remarkable degree of showmanship and earns him GREAT RESPECT from peers and audiences alike, attracting a cult-like following wherever he plays.

Channelling the greats such as Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray and Carlos Santana, you could be forgiven for forgetting where you were when witnessing Phil comand the stage.  An absolute legend in St Kilda, and admired by Carlos Santana.

collard, greens and gravy

In 2001, Collard, Greens and Gravy beat 50 bands from the world to become runners up in the International Blues Challenge, Memphis, Tennissee.  To qualify for entry, the boys were the only act to represenent Australia - a stint that won them the Blues Peformer of the Year from the Melbourne Blues Society.  www.mbas.com.au

Formed in 1995, Collard Greens and Gravy quickly established themselves as one of Melbourne's leading blues acts with their unique style of delta garage blues.  This ARIA Award winning trio is gronted by Ian Collard, a gifted and authentic blues vocalist and winner of the Australian Harmonica Championships in 1996.  A Hohne Harmonica endorsee, Ian has featured on many other recordings including the UK Number 1 hit for Baz Luhrman, 'Everybody's Free (to wear Sunscreen).

In short, Collard Greens and Gravy are unique, incredibly talented - individually and together.  They are a brilliant act to witness and have something which is quite pure and special.  More than worth a look see... they are probably the best blues act to come out of Melbourne in a long time.

www.collardgreensandgravy.com

  rory ellis

Rory Ellis is one of Australia's leading acoustic performers taking audiences by storm, nationally and intermational.  Both his solo releases 'Ride' and 'Road of the Braver Man' have impressed all the critics, (which is no mean feat)!

Rory has built a reputation at festivals and venues in Australia and more recently, overseas.  He has an incredibly unique voice and style of songwriting which makes it absolutely blessed to listen to... as if he was taking the listener on a journey through back alleys of Melbourne and into his home, inviting you into his own private world.  Rory Ellis is a man with an extremely colourful life and a voice that has lived the tales he tells. 

www.roryellis.com

lloyd spiegel

With 15 years, 6 albums and a swag of accolades to his name, Lloyd Spiegel is the most experienced young blues artist in Australia.  As a perfomer since age 10, he formed his first band at 13 and recorded his first CD at 15.

Now in his twenties, Lloyd has established himself as one of this countries leading Blues artists.  Combining his youthful enthusiasm with experience and presence well beyond his years, his incredible command of the guitar, powerful voice and high energy performances captivates any audience.

Between writing, recording and extensive touring within Australia, Lloyd has travelled worldwide and performed at the world's biggest and best Blues venues and largest Festivals.  He's played bills with legendary blues artists such as Buddy Guy, Etta James and Ray Charles as well as Bob Dylan, The Pretenders and Willie Nelson. 

While fans and critics have always focused on his guitar skills, Lloyd quickly came of age as a composer and lyricist.  Entirely solo, he brings his considerable song-writing skills and his passion for blues music together with his exceptional guitar expertise. 

Lloyd has won so many awards, is an official endorsee of many products and also official ambassador for Blues Festivals, however, the fact that he has just been signed for millions in Japan and currently has his 'mug' on nearly every bus over there is a sure sign that this boy can play / sing / write / peform.  He is hanging up his guitar in Australia, and moving to Japan, so our time with him is incredibly special!

Lloyd Spiegel has grown up... the kid has become 'the man'.

www.lloydspiegel.com

matt dwyer

Originally from Sydney, guitarist Matt Dwyer had become an established and respected artist of the roots music scene while still in his twenties.  While in seminal blues outfit The Bondi Cigars, Matt picked up a Rhythms magazine award for Best Live Australian Blues Band in 1996.  Since then, he has played with swing kings 'The Louisville Sluggers', while fronting the Matt Dwyer Quartet.  During this time The Louisville Sluggers appeared on every television network and served as teh house band on Channel Nine sports / variety show 'Sam and the Fat Man', of which Matt was Musical Director. 

In 2001, Matt made the move to Melbourne and has since kept established himself not only as a sideman to other greats (Chris Wilson, Angry Anderson, Louis Kings Liars Club, Nina Ferro, Bob Valentine, The Shuffle Club and Matt Taylor), but as a talented singer / songwriter. 

Matt picked up the 2007 Best Singer and 2007 Best Album just recently presented by MBAS Society....- CONGRATULATIONS MATT!

www.mattdwyermusic.com.au

kurt williams

Modern Blues Rock with a sting in the tail.  Kurt is a singer, songwriter and National Reso-Phonic guitarist whose raw energy and showmanship is something to experience.  He is one ofthe most unique and exciting exponents of authentic fingerstyle and slide guitar on the Australian scene.  AHis technique combines thumping bass lines alongside complex plucking arrangements. 

Kurts gritty stories of love, loss, people and place display a unique understanding of the human condition, while his lyrics and tough musical compositions sit comfortably with his intense but playful vocal style - one that is reminiscent of Nick Cave, John Lee Hooker and Chris Isaak.