Artists from 2008

Whether you’ve got a craving for country, a passion for pop, an ear for ethnic music, or are jumping for some jazz, the Foodbowl Music Festival will have something for you!

Musicians and bands of every shape, size and genre will be strutting their stuff on the Foodbowl Music Festival stages right throughout the weekend.

Watch this space as we continue to add to the list of bands that will be performing at this year’s Foodbowl Music Festival! And if you just can’t wait for a taste of what’s on offer, click on the performer’s web link to find out more!

Sal Kimber and the Good Ole Boys

Sal Kimber - Acoustic guitar, electric guitar, banjo, lead vocals
Buffy Kimber – Keyboard, accordian, backing vocals
Daniel - Bass
Shane – Drums, backing vocals
TBA – Guitar, backing vocals

Heralded as one of “Australia’s best emerging songwriters”, and a “rare talent” by Gary Seven of RRR, Sal Kimber has joined with her Good Ole Boys to form this charismatic and engaging five-piece folk/country/blues band.

Hailing from Tallangatta, Sal now lives in Melbourne and has been busy this year regaling audiences around Australia with tales of ghost towns, rebels and romance, as she promotes her debut album, “Sounds Like Thunder”.

Download Sal Kimber and the Good Ole Boys' song Tempt the rain.

Check out Sal Kimber and the Good Ole Boys on their website www.salkimber.com.au.

Raelene Bruinsma

Raelene Bruinsma – Vocals, flute, guitar

With astute musicianship, stewed in classical, jazz and folk music, and a passion for song and voice, Melbourne-based Raelene Bruinsma presents a uniquely rounded, varied and interactive performance.

Raelene’s experiences include a gig singing backing vocals for Marcia Hines in the televised Royal Command Performance for the newly wed Prince Charles and Princess Diana; and a stint as backing vocalist for Barry Manilow. She has busked her way around Europe, and performed her original songs and compelling interpretations of traditional and contemporary folk tunes at the Woodford Folk Festival, the Port Fairy Folk Festival, the Mount Beauty Music Muster and the St Albans Folk Festival.

Check out Raelene’s website at www.raeleneb.com.

Sacred cow

Sarah Cowan – Rhythm guitar, vocals
Steve Etheredge – Guitar, lap steel
Liz Sedman – Electric guitar

In 1975, Sarah Cowan ran away from home to join a commune, where she was exposed to a constant creation of art, music and song as an integral part of life. An open-tuned guitar was dropped into her lap, and now, years later, she is a multi-award winning acoustic blues and roots song-writer with two albums and two EPs to her name!

Sarah’s ever-mutating musical project, sacred cow, has performed its original songs nationally at pubs, clubs, benefits and festivals including those at Majors Creek, Cobargo, St Albans Folk Festival, Heidelberg and Port Fairy, as well as the National Folk Festival.

Sarah has taught guitar, bass and performance skills, and facilitated song-writing workshops throughout NSW and Victoria, and now comes together with lap steel virtuoso Stephen Etheredge and guitar multi-talent Liz Sedman (Charlie Don’t Surf, Wren Band) to deliver a performance that is sure to have audiences kicking up their heels!

Check out sacred cow online at www.mp3.com.au/sarahcowan/sacredcow.

Meliki

Meliki – Vocals, acoustic/classical guitar

Meliki combines world rhythms with popular music styles of folk-rock, funky afro-latin, islander and roots rhythms mixed with country, blues and pop melodies, blending the familiarity of all that has come before with a fresh, contemporary perspective. This Melbourne-based musician has studied jazz piano under Gil Askey (the Motown arranger for musicians such as Stevie Wonder, the Jackson 5, the Temptations, and the Supremes), and has performed with musicians who now make up popular bands such as The Cat Empire.

With a swag of classical and flamenco guitar awards, and composition credits to her name, Meliki is a regular performer at community festivals and events, with recent appearances at the Whittlesea, Westernport, Sustainable Living and Queenscliff festivals.

Check out Meliki’s website at www.meliki.com.

Steve Romig

Steve Romig – Guitar, vocals
(line-up still be to announced)

Melbourne musician Steve Romig has been singing and writing songs since he was 15. Playing funk, soul, rock and blues originals, Steve has performed on stage with a number of industry illuminati, including Renee Geyer, Darryl Braithwaite and James Reyne, and has also toured Australia, Taiwan and Japan.

Steve’s song “Take You Back” was recorded by Australian singing sensation John Farnham in 1999, and was included on Farnham’s “Anthology 3” and “The Last Time” CDs.

Last year, Steve scooped the awards pool at the Victorian/Tasmania Blues Awards, taking out awards for song, band and artist of the year. He also recently won the jazz/blues category of the International Unisong Competition, the blues category of the International Song Competition and the blues award in the Billboard song contest.

Check out Steve’s website at www.steveromig.com.

Russ Aimz

Russ Aimz – Acoustic guitar, vocals

Currently residing in Melbourne, Russ Aimz began performing his passionate rock songs and cruisey ballads in 2000. Songs from his debut album ‘Cruze’ have recently received local and overseas airplay, with the album named “album of the week” on 8ccc radio in Alice Springs.

Russ has performed at the Panton Hill Tsunami Benefit Festival, the Nannup Festival in Western Australia, the Basin Music Festival and the Mortlake Festival, as well as playing in pubs throughout Melbourne.

Check out Russ’ website at www.russaimz.com.

Daryl Roberts

Daryl Roberts - Keyboard, harmonica, mandolin, vocals

Songsmith, singer, and multi-instrumentalist Daryl Roberts.

Daryl currently finds himself gracing the stage with legendary Aussie rock band Spectrum, and has performed with US blues legend Jimmy Witherspoon’s band, Blackfeather, Breakaways, Bandit, Photo, and Bobsy-Die.

Check out Daryl’s website at www.myspace.com/darylroberts.

Beyond Barricades

Judi Mitchell: Vocals, oboe, percussion
Dean Merlino: Vocals, flute, pennywhistle
Geza Paukovics: Acoustic guitar

This spirited and distinctive folk acoustic trio from Melbourne blends the unique sounds of male and female voice, guitar, flute, pennywhistle and oboe to weave an irresistible and impassioned musical style based around the ancient art of storytelling.

Since forming in 2006, Beyond Barricades has performed across Victoria, with highlights including playing ‘live to air’ on radio 3RRR; playing to a full house at the Clifton Hill Hotel; performing at the World AIDS Day Concert at Melbourne’s Federation Square in 2006; and taking to the stage at the Churchill Island Music and Arts Festival in 2007 with Australian-based blues guitarist and singer-songwriter, Geoff Achison.

Check out Beyond Barricades’ website at www.myspace.com/beyondbarricades.

Jessica-Jade Bruce

Jessica-Jade Bruce: Vocals, guitar

Seventeen-year-old Jessica-Jade Bruce has been singing country music for just on 18 months, yet in that time has taken out the first heat in the Telstra Road to Tamworth to be held in 2009, as well as numerous battle of the bands and playing at Relay for Life events. The Berwick musician aspires to take part in the CMAA Australian College of Country Music program, and perform not only around Australia, but also overseas.

Check out Jessica-Jade’s website at www.myspace.com/jessicajademusic

The Lonely Dog Band

Matt Gandy – Vocals, guitar
Daniel Gresham – Guitar
Lloyd Richardson – Bass guitar, keys
Sean Taylor – Drums

Blending country, folk, bluegrass and rockabilly to produce a “hillbilly” sound, Melbourne band The Lonely Dog Band brings together a host of seasoned performers from different musical backgrounds, who have all found common ground in their admiration for good time country music.

The Murray Valley Brass Band

Founded in 1900, the 19-member Murray Valley Brass Band continues to be the most popular brass band in the region, playing over 30 gigs per year. With 10 members under the age of 18 and the oldest member aged 83, the band boasts as diverse a membership as it does a repertoire.

The Kate Eve Collective

Kate Eve – Vocals, acoustic guitar
Craig Edwards – Drums, percussion, backing vocals
Daz Leng – Electric guitar, backing vocals
Greg Hunt – Mandolin, violin
Megan Orrin – Backing vocals, percussion, keys

Emotionally intelligent, organic and rootsy, this is acoustic music with mettle. With various solo and collaborative feathers to her cap, Kate has been identified as having the ‘x factor’, inducing devotion from audiences wherever she plays. Kate now joins with outstanding drummer, Craig Edwards; deeply seasoned session guitarist Daz Leng; stalwart of the Australian music industry, Greg Hunt; and “blues mama” vocalist Megan Orrin to present The Kate Eve Collective.

2008 has seen the group launch an album, Phenomenology, and play at The Brunswick Music Festival, The Darebin Music Feast, The Birregurra Festival, The Clifton Hill Hotel Acoustic Sessions, The Cornish Arms, along with a host of other gigs around the country. The band has also been shortlisted for the international music industry showcase Popkomm, which will be held in Germany in October.

Check out The Kate Eve Collective’s website at www.myspace.com/introducingkateeve or www.kateeve.com.

Melbourne Rainbow Band

The Melbourne Rainbow Band was formed in 1995 by a group of gay and lesbian musicians seeking to provide a musical environment free from prejudice and homophobia.

Each year the concert band performs at a wide variety of community events, with the aim of promoting the lesbian and gay community to the wider population. The band also performs at events during Melbourne’s annual Midsumma Festival, as well as regularly marching in the Australia Day Parade, Moomba and Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade.

Check out the Melbourne Rainbow Band’s website at www.mrb.org.au.

Ben McMaster

Ben McMaster – Vocals, acoustic guitar

Twenty-five year old Ben discovered a talent for song-writing while enrolled in a performing arts course, sought out keyboard and vocal lessons and so began his musical journey. He recorded a demo which came to the attention of Kisschasy manage Sam Panetta, and since then has recorded a further five demos, and graduated from FReeZACentral’s Mentoring program.

Ben has played gigs in a wide variety of venues, with various musicians – including sets at the Knox Festival, Bayside Festival and Williamstown Festival - and has just recorded his first EP, which is due for release later this year.

Check out Ben’s website at www.myspace.com/benmcmaster.

Jesse Mitchell

Jesse Mitchell – Vocals, acoustic guitar
Josh Mitchell – Keys, backing vocals
Dave Heading – Drums

Jesse Mitchell is a young and accomplished singer-songwriter who mixes flavours from folk, roots, soul and reggae. He released his debut EP, “The Twilight” in 2006, before venturing through Latin America and returning to his hometown of Melbourne full of tender tales of love, longing, pristine shores and beautiful cultures.

Jesse has performed at some of Melbourne’s finest music venues, including Manchester Lane, The Evelyn, The Hard Rock Café, The Edinburgh Castle, and Ruby’s Lounge, to name but a few. He has performed alongside Nick Barker, Bomba and The Benson Campaign, and now has his sights set on releasing a second album in early 2009.

For the Foodbowl Music Festival, Jesse has teamed up with keyboard player Josh Mitchell from electro outfit Yoshitoro, which recently topped the charts of Triple J’s Unearthed Competition.

Check out Jesse’s website at www.myspace.com/jessesolo.

Katt Beames and The Blood Earth Band

Katt Beames – Vocals, guitar
Anthony George – Guitar
Skiddle – Cello
Marcus – Drums

Katt Beames, a passionate singer-songwriter from Australia’s surf coast, brings to the Foodbowl Music Festival a soulful, organic fusion of folk, melodic roots, and foot stamping flavours of blues. She delivers her performances with intensity, a charismatic spirit, and an intimate connection with her audiences.

Katt joins with The Blood Earth Band, with which she recently took home a prize at the 2008 Melbourne Fresh Music Industry Showcase Grand Finals. She has featured on several compilation CDs, including 2007 Surf Coast “Shades”, and “Acoustika Volume 10”, and has recently embarked upon a touring project through Victoria as part of The Push Mentoring Program.

Check out Katt’s website at www.myspace.com/kattbeames.

INSIDEOUT

Andrew Corbett – Vocals
Monique – Guitar and vocals

Blending upbeat rhythms and eerie lyrics, acoustic duo INSIDEOUT explores issues such as reconciliation, social injustice and honesty.

The acoustic duo has played at Melbourne venues including Cornish Arms, Revolver Upstairs, Brunswick Hotel, Club Evolution, Empress Hotel and the Salty Dog Café, as well as at the Maldon Folk Festival, where they won the Maldon Song Writing Award in 2005. INSIDEOUT was also a finalist in the Port Fairy Winter 2007 song competition.

Check out INSIDEOUT’s website at www.myspace.com/andrewmonique.

Faye Blais and Mr Bardley

Faye Blais – Vocals, guitar
Mr Bardley – Vocals, piano/keyboard

The capitivating and honest musical styles of Faye Blais have taken her around the world, from her native Canada to the stages of Taiwan, Thailand and Australia. Blending indie, jazz, blues and folk, Faye released her long-awaited debut “First Tooth” in 2005.

Since arriving in Australia, Faye has teamed up with vocalist and pianist Brad Viterale, who brings amazing tempo kicks and melodramatic switches to the peaks and valleys of their original sets. They two have recently toured their fresh tunes and unique sounds up the east coast of Australia, in preparation for the release of Faye’s second album.

Check out Faye on her website www.myspace.com/fayeblaismusic.

The Hazelman Brothers

Stu Hazelman – Guitar, vocals
Mick Hazelman – Guitar, vocals
Chris Hazelman – Guitar, vocals

Brought up in the small country town of Talbot, Victoria, the Hazelman brothers learnt to sing harmonies from a vinyl diet of The Beatles, The Eagles, and The Little River Band. They now produce stunning three-part harmonies and complex three-part guitar layering, creating a sound that is a warm, dynamic blend of folk and country, with intricate time signatures and structures moving from gentle ballads into darker, melancholic themes.

The Hazelman Brothers have played at the Corner Hotel, Manchester Lane, Wesley Anne, Empress, 303, Edinburgh Castle, and the LaTerra Music Festival.

Check out The Hazelman Brothers on their website www.myspace.com/thehazelmanbrothers.

Wangaratta High School Stage Band

Erin Ritchie – Clarinet
Lauren Ritchie – Alto saxophone
Jane Purches – Alto saxophone
Doug Russel – Alto saxophone
Jenna Aumann – Tenor saxophone
Elise Boyle – Tenor saxophone
Meg Haas – Baritone saxophone
Damon White – Trumpet
Jason Styles – Trumpet
Cecelia Tyler – Trumpet
Brent Miller – Trumpet
Steven Turnbull – Trombone
Georgina Kazenwadel – Trombone
Matt Thomas – Bass
Jono Dwyer – Drums
Doug McGregor – Conductor

Playing big band swing, rock and latin tunes, the Wangaratta High School Stage Band was formed 20 years ago, and consists of students from years eight to 12. It has regularly played at jazz festivals throughout the state since that time, most recently at the Wagga and Wangaratta jazz festivals.

Milk

Helen Begley - Guitar, accordian, vocals
Teal Bain-Roben - Percussion, vocals
Gregory Craske - Double bass, vocals
Emily Hayes - Vocals

Riotous, pious, unsinkable Milk brings you its rickety country hall breathin’, D&M musical carnival that can turn pirates to redemption, as the group delivers its golden songs from across Australia’s diverse landscape. Having graced the stages of festivals, bars and folk cafes since the mid-90s (when there were still folk cafes), Milk has remained a favourite in the hearts of many across the nation. With wonderful new album “Shipwrecked at the Royal Oak” in tow, you should definitely get yourself your recommended daily intake of Milk!

Yelka

Yelka Ishmakovich - Vocals, guitar

Yelka is a young solo artist, whose name means “Christmas Tree” in Yugoslavian. Hailing from sleepy south Gippsland, Yelka recently took out the APRA Songwriter’s Award at the FReeZA Push Start Battle of the Bands Final in Melbourne.

Yelka has been writing lyrics and playing guitar for just over two years, however has been singing for as long as she could talk, having learnt to sing harmonies in the car with her mother on long trips. A lovely person, with a heart of gold and a voice of pure sweetness, Yelka charms the audience, and has even ended with audience members sitting cross-legged at her feet, like children with a storyteller!

Check out Yelka online at www.myspace.com/yelkamusic.

The Grenadines

Linc Yow Yeh - Guitar, vocals
Bradley Boon - Drums
Nick Larkins - Bass guitar, vocals
Polash Larsen - Guitar, vocals

The Grenadines are a Melbourne-based contemporary rock band, playing critically acclaimed original music. Described as “explosively rocky one moment yet sweetly soulful the next”, The Grenadines fuse rock, reggae, soul and country sounds to create urban songs about a future Australia.

Check out The Grenadines online at www.thegrenadines.com.au.

Rockin’ Chair

Bob Pate - Lead guitar
Andrew Surth - Bass guitar, lead vocals
Jenni Johnston - Rhythm guitar, lead vocals
Peter Cottier - Drums, vocal harmonies

Playing good toe-tapping, sing-along-able music with lots of harmonies and danceable rhythms, Rockin’ Chair has evolved over the past five years, and has performed at pubs and clubs in Shepparton, Mooroopna, Cobram and Benalla. The group has also performed at the Shepparton Arts Festival’s “Arts in the Park” event in 2007 and 2008.

The band performs its own twists on classics by Creedence Clearwater Revival, Brian Cadd, The Monkees, Elvis Presley, Patsy Cline, Carlene Carter, Smoke and the Beach Boys, and is currently working on some originals.

Ford Ensemble

Alex Ford - Violin
Cassandra Ford - Flute, cello, piano
Eloise Ford - Piano, flute

This Wunghnu-based family has grown up surrounded by music, with the children beginning their music studies in violin at the age of 18 months old. As each child grew older, they chose other instruments, and the family has since performed its classical repertoire together at any opportunity it gets, playing in eisteddfods, and most recently, at a local civic reception for a visiting Chinese delegation.

Damien Neil

Damien Neil - Vocals, guitar, fiddle, stomp box
Tanya Bowen - Vocals, back-up vocals, percussion

Damien Neil, a singer-songwriter from Shepparton, has featured at all major folk festivals throughout the country, including the National Folk Festival, Port Fairy Folk Festival and Gympie Muster. His playing is woven from a rich tapestry of many genres, including jazz, blues, rock, folk and contemporary styles, delivering versatility at every show he performs.

A world-class guitarist, Damien combines many guitar-playing techniques, including finger-picking and slide which leaves in audiences adulation. His talents have seen him play alongside the likes of Tommy Emanuel, Michael Crompton, Kristina Olsen and many other high calibre musicians.

Check out Damien online at www.myspace.com/damienneil.

Simon Kerr

Simon Kerr - Guitars, vocals

Playing a stirring and captivating hybrid of all original folk, roots, alternative pop, reggae and world music, full of intelligence, energy and beauty, song-writer and guitarist Simon Kerr performs “music for the world”. Described as the “Pink Floyd of folk music”, Simon, originally from New Zealand, started song-writing seriously in 2003.

Now with gigs numbering into the hundreds at folk clubs, music festivals, house concerts and dodgy pubs in New Zealand, Australia and Canada, Simon’s debut album, “Voyager”, was released in 2007 and has had airplay in New Zealand, the USA and Canada.

Dave Walker and The Blue Moon Lodge

Dave Walker – Lead vocals, electric and acoustic guitars
Dave Ricutti – Lead vocals, acoustic guitar, mandolin
Greg Hunt – Fiddle, mandolin, mandola
Louch Evangelista – Drums, percussion
Mark McNeilly – Backing vocals, bass

The Blue Moon Lodge is the musical vehicle for the extraordinary song-writing of Dave Walker. The band has its roots firmly in the hills to Melbourne’s east, and is at the vanguard of the thriving music scene emerging from the area. Sell-out show at the Upper Yarra Arts Centre in Warburton, headline performances at Eildon’s “Music Under the Stars”, and high-energy pub gigs at Brunswick’s Lomond Hotel show the band’s appeal to a wide range of audiences and its ability to put on a great show in any environment.

Check out Dave Walker and The Blue Moon Lodge online at www.myspace.com/bluemoonlodge.

The April Maze

Todd Mayhew – vocals, guitar, bass
Sivan Agam – vocals, cello, acoustic guitar and lap steel, charango
Matty – drums, percussion, didgeridoo, backing vocals

The April Maze manages to effortlessly meld together a soulful combination of impressive instrumentation using the likes of guitar, cello, charango, lap steel, congas, didgeridoo and beautiful vocal harmonies. Lead by two vocalists, there is nothing about this band that mimics anything else in the music industry today.

With members hailing from as far as Cairns, Canberra and London, these three best friends met in a scout hall-come-share house in Melbourne in 2006, and have since toured the East Coast twice, and recently released a completely independent debut EP “April Maze”. They are making a stop over at the Foodbowl Music Festival as part of their “Humpback Trail Tour 2008” with Quinn Band.

Check out The April Maze online at www.myspace.com/theaprilmaze.

Breakin’ Kurfue

Justin Boschetti – guitar, lead vocals
Justin Thomas – bass guitar
James Clark – lead guitar, backing vocals
Declan White – drums

This Numurkah based pop/rock band has wowed the regional recently, taking out several Battle of the Bands competition around the Goulburn Valley, as well as recording as part of Moira Shire’s Kool Skools CD project.

Check out Breakin’ Kurfue online at www.breakinkurfue.com.

Jamie and Vito

Jamie Lea – vocals
Vito – acoustic guitar

Jamie and Vito have been playing their laidback Australian music around the Shepparton area for years. Jamie has been a finalist of the Goulburn Valley’s annual vocal contest, GV Voice, three years in a row, and has her finger on the pulse of the local music scene, co-ordinating regular acoustic and open mic nights in Shepparton. The pair has played at Relay for Life events, Carols by Candlelight, and the Shepparton Show.

Quinn Band

Quinn McHugh – vocals, acoustic guitar
Ben Oastler – lead guitar, backing vocals
Phil Lyddy – bass guitar
Bryce Clark – keyboard, organ
Andrew Rogers – drums, percussion

For more than three years, Quinn Band has brought to the stage just the right blend of smokin’ folk and reggae – a little bit of acoustic folk, encircled in bass-heavy reggae dub and burnin’ roots versions. Born in Melbourne in 2005, Quinn Band has played on almost every stage in town, big and small, with highlights including gigs at the Espy, The HiFi Bar, and a headline gig at the Super Living Expo festival.

Check out Quinn Band online at www.myspace.com/quinnacousticrootsreggae.

Mezz Coleman and Band

Mezz Coleman – vocals, keys
John Carr – vocals, bass guitar
Ben Paddick – electric guitar
Peter Carr – drums

Mezz Coleman and her brothers (plus one!) have been bringing their delightful blend of original pop, jazz and folk to the people of Melbourne for two years. Since the release of her first independent album “My Little World” in late 2007, Mezz has played her quirky music at Federation Square, Southbank and many other music venues in and around Melbourne.

Check out Mezz online at www.myspace.com/mezzcoleman.

Shepparton High School Stage Band

Kirsty McKay – alto saxophone
Josh Whittingham – alto saxophone
Monique Sangster – tenor saxophone
Sinead Perkins – tenor saxophone
Erin Moylan – Baritone saxophone
Matthew Provan – trumpet
Kate Drane – trumpet
Carmen Robertson – trumpet
Chris Dainton – trumpet
Leigh Kuehnapfel – trombone
Lachlan Gallacher – trombone
Ryan Barassi – trombone
Josh Asbury – trombone
Bridie Moylan – guitar
Karli Gleeson – bass guitar
Tricia Sargant – keyboard
Lachlan Cresswell – drums
Luke Hocking – drums
Elissa Banfield – vocals
Jessica Brereton – vocals
Renee Rankin - vocals

The Shepparton High School Stage Band is the busiest band at the school, regularly performing at various school and community functions around the area, including the Wangaratta Jazz Festival and the Melbourne School Bands Festival.

Shepparton High School Wind Symphony

Caragh Hutchinson – flute
Kelly Liu – flute
Tim Allemand – flute
Jannah Emmerson – oboe
Erin Moylan – clarinet
Joanna Veal – clarinet
Karli Gleeson – clarinet
Megan Guy – clarinet
Bayden Moor – clarinet
Emily Duncan – bass clarinet
Kirsty McKay – alto sax
Josh Whittingham – alto sax
Kimberlee Drane – alto sax
Naomi White – alto sax
Brent Barassi – alto sax
Monique Sangster – tenor sax
Sinead Perkins – tenor sax
Naomi Blake – baritone sax
Laura Carmichael – baritone sax
Matthew Provan – trumpet
Carmen Robertson – trumpet
Chris Dainton – trumpet
Steven Sutton – trumpet
Kate Drane – French horn
Leigh Kuehnapfel – trombone
Ryan Barassi – trombone
Michaela Duncan – trombone
Lauren Comer – trombone
James Rigoni – trombone
Josh Asbury – tuba
Cassie Abbott – percussion
Lachlan Cresswell – percussion
Luke Hocking – percussion
Bridie Moylan – percussion
Alkira Moylan – percussion
Tanika Uniacke – percussion

The Shepparton High School Wind Symphony is the main concert band at the school. It tours every second year, and has visited Europe and the Gold Coast. The band performs regularly at various school and community functions around the area, as well as competing in the Melbourne Schools Bands Festival each year.

Adam Lawler

Adam Lawler – Guitar, banjo, harp, vocals

Hailing from Melbourne, Adam Lawler has been playing solo for a number of years, and writing seriously for three years. He claims he “only does his own stuff because he can never remember other people’s songs!” Adam has gigged around Melbourne and at a number of festivals, and earlier this year, he recorded with award-winning Adelaide band, The Yearlings.

Ballyregan

Beryl White – Guitar, vocals
Peter White – Piano accordion, vocals
Michelle Davis – Bass guitar, vocals
Sharon Daivis – Irish tin whistle, recorders
Terry Little – Bodhran, lagerphone, vocals

Local bush band Ballyregan has been playing Australian, Irish and Scottish folk songs at bush dances, weddings and parties throughout northern Victoria for many years, and has garnered a large following of fans.

Douglas Gray

Douglas Gray – Vocals, acoustic guitar, banjo

Echuca-based Douglas Gray’s professional singing career began in Sydney during the late 1970s – an era of wine bars and pub and club music, where his guitar and banjo-backed Irish, Scottish, English and Aussie folk ballads were right at home. He later worked in venues around Albury, and has made frequent visits to Ireland over the years to enrich his repertoire of Irish and Scottish folk tunes. Douglas has played with The Muddy Creek Bush Band, and fiddler Michael Reilly, performing at venues throughout Victoria.

Fairy Floss

This student rock band is currently involved in intensive mentoring programs at Shepparton’s The Bridge youth centre.

Jessie Gray

Jessie Gray – Vocals, acoustic guitar

Numurkah-based Jessie Gray started singing professionally in Albury in 1973, performing folk and country music on her trusty guitar. Since then, she has performed in some of the finest venues Sydney and Brisbane have to offer, before returning to northern Victoria, where she regularly plays her extensive jazz, rock and blues repertoire at local cafes.

Jo Shannon

Jo Shannon – Vocals, acoustic guitar

Once known as “that little girl in the red dress”, Cobram-based Jo Shannon debuted her musical career with a stand-out performance at the Peaches and Cream Festival, performing with the likes of Daryl Braithwaite and James Reyne. With performances including sets in Geelong’s cafes and at weddings and Sunday afternoon sessions, Jo now performs an earthy mix of folk and country old favourites with her acoustic guitar in hand.

Justin Boschetti

Justin Boschetti – Vocals, acoustic guitar

Lead singer for Numurkah band Breakin’ Kurfue, Justin Boschetti has proven his musical credentials this year, taking out numerous Battle of the Band competitions around the region with his group, as well as making it to the selection final of the Goulburn Valley’s annual vocal talent contest GV Voice.

Maggie’s Farm

Margaret Chowanetz – Vocals
Gary Chowanetz – Acoustic guitar

This Euroa-based husband/wife duo is a stalwart of the Euroa musical network, and has performed together, and with other larger groups, for community events and music jams in the Euroa-Strathbogie area. Maggie’s Farm has also facilitated many concerts for the annual Euroa Wool Week Festival and other fundraising events.

Numurkah and District Choristers

The Numurkah and District Choristers is a community-based choir founded in 1983 for the pure enjoyment of learning and performing choral music. For the first 15 years of its being, the choir was accompanied by a 25-piece orchestra, with many professional soloists performing in the selected oratorios. In recent times, smaller classical ensembles are enjoyed. Included in the repertoire is music by Bach, Handel, Mozart, Beethoven and a wide variety of styles.

Numurkah Town Band

This community-based band has the marvellous history of a continuous, active membership for over 100 years, with many performances at ANZAC Day ceremonies, school fetes, churches, parades and other activities in Numurkah and Nathalia. Rehearsals are weekly, and always feature at least one tall tale about the escapades of its members!

Peter Bodin

Peter Bodin – Acoustic guitar, vocals

Performing in choirs, rocks and jazz bands, and as a solo artist for 10 years, Peter Bodin’s original songs have made his audiences stop, laugh and cry, as they touch on themes of life, work, family and passion. His distinctive baritone voice carries a truly Australian feel, which will leave listeners feeling bigger, brighter and real!

Polyphony

Jill Wilson – Soprano voice
Dot Heard – Soprano voice
Val Pickard – Alto voice
Glenys Watson – Alto voice
Lauren Salathiel – Alto voice
Chris McGorlick – Tenor voice
Bruce McGorlick – Bass voice
Isobel Hodge – Conductor

Numurkah-based madrigal group, Polyphony, has been performing in the local area for so long that no-one can remember when it was actually formed! (Although current members suspect it was in the late 1980s!) Singing a variety of accompanied and A Cappella madrigals, hymns and well-known classical tunes, Polyphony has performed at many local community events.

Sunglasses at Night

This student rock band is currently involved in intensive mentoring programs at Shepparton’s The Bridge youth centre.

Ten Days from Tuesday

This student rock band is currently involved in intensive mentoring programs at Shepparton’s The Bridge youth centre.