FRI

Ella Hooper made her entrance onto the Australian music landscape as the technicolour teenage frontwoman of her high school band, Killing Heidi. At age 13 she won the national broadcaster Triple J’s unearthed competition and has been writing and releasing intense, intelligent pop music ever since. She is also a radio host, TV presenter, DJ and self-confessed music junkie. Her songs of angst and wonder sound-tracked the early 2000’s for cool kids and outsiders alike. Melodic and anthemic, Ella’s song writing and colourful image cut a swathe through the mainstream, winning her a stack of awards (ARIA’s, APRA, ACRA’s) many of which she was the first female and youngest person to receive. Ella has featured on the cover of Rolling Stone not once but twice as well as every other music publication worth its’ salt and played the main stage of every major festival in Aus and plenty overseas as well. Ella’s time with Killing Heidi cemented her as one of Australia’s most recognised and distinctive front-women.

Ella’s music has since traversed pop to rock, roots to country back to alt pop and just about everything in between. In 2010 she travelled to LA to work with legendary producer Mitchell Froom and Elvis Costello’s backing band on a side project influenced by classic West Coast Americana sounds, ‘The Verses’. This collaboration spawned an EP and an album and the band toured extensively, opening for Fleetwood Mac who were one of Ella’s main inspirations for starting The Verses. A self-proclaimed ‘pop witch’ Ella believes the support slot with Fleetwood Mac was an instant karma reward for trying something new and decided to continue the trend for her next incarnation, deciding to claim her moment and ‘go solo’, encouraged by a backstage conversation with grand high witch herself, Stevie Nicks.

Hooper’s debut solo release was ‘In Tongues’. Delivering spiky synth pop sounds, the album has dark sexy vibe full of Saturn returning yearning. Stand out tracks Low High and The Red Shoes are both danceable and doomy and gained her a new audience, gathering steam online. The double EP ‘Venom/New Magic’ followed and was highly regarded among critics.

‘The most disarming and profound statement of Hooper’s career -Venom/New Magic is a buzzing, creaky tapestry of tunes that veers from punky New Wave bursts to creepy Bad Seeds-esque lurches’ –Rolling Stone

‘A bold, awesome accomplishment, New Magic is excited, open-hearted and eager. Venom, vocally crushing and instrumentally sparse. Hooper’s alternate reality is here…’ – Strine Whine

In between a myriad of media gigs, Ella tours consistently and shines as a live act. A seasoned pro with an assortment of gun players backing her (members of Jade Imagine, Machine Translations, Handsome, The Cactus Channel, RockWiz & more) she bends herself into contortionist positions, back bends and twists while punching out notes that fly and defy, or lays herself down over the fold back, delivering a verse hanging over the edge. Her talent for connection and genuine reverence for the art of a good rock show on display.

‘Ella’s stage attack is more refined now than it has ever been, charming all near her with her acrobatics, persona and dance moves –a true performer does not begin to describe her power. Similar to how a ballerina can silence a crowd, Ms Hooper can incite their chaos to whatever level suitable. Needless to say, the chemistry between her and her fans is still impossible to fracture’ – Glamadelaide

In and out of the studio for much of 2018, with a retro rock inspired EP on the way, Ella kicks things off with new single ‘To The Bone’. Never one to settle in a comfort zone, Hooper’s next offering promises disco beats, street walking strut anthems and pop chops a plenty. It’s been a colourful journey and it’s only getting busier for this chameleonic purveyor of pop rock. Stay tuned!

“Never satisfied with sticking to the status quo, Hooper fills ‘To The Bone’ with invigorating, near-obscene left turns; “come on,” goes her bubble gum and barbed wire voice, “I’m Ready!” This is a song that never stays still, from a songwriter who doesn’t either. It might be the best thing she’s ever put out..”

Taj Farrant may be young, but his natural musical ability well surpasses his age. At only 10 yrs old, Taj was recently invited by Ellen DeGeneres to showcase his incredible guitar skills on The Ellen Show and has racked up millions of views with his fast-growing online presence.

This down to earth Aussie kid is more than passionate about playing the guitar and is clearly a natural born rocker through and through. His Dad took him to an AC/DC concert a couple of years ago and after seeing Angus Young shred on guitar was the moment Taj decided, “I want to do this forever”.

He got his first a guitar and as they say, the rest is history.

Taj is now being mentored by the likes of iconic guitarist Warren Adams are helping him along this amazing path. Taj is fortunate to have a very supportive family, that helps support, guide and encourage his passion. Taj also has the freedom and balance to enjoy perfecting his techniques but also enjoying all the normal kid stuff too.

You may also recognise Taj from his success on Australia’s Got Talent.  As a guitarist, Taj has that truly genuine ‘old soul feel’ well beyond his years.  Strap in and hold on tight, this is Taj Farrant.

National Bluegrass champions and five-time Golden Guitar Winners, the Davidson Brothers are best known for their high powered pickin, fine vocal harmonies, classic humour and sharing their love of music, which transcends to the audience each time they take the stage.

Described as “Simply world class”, the Davidson Brothers, recently inducted into the Australian Country Music Hall Fame – Hands of Fame monument in Tamworth (2017), have created an iconic contemporary acoustic bluegrass sound and continue to breakdown boundaries as musicians and entertainers of the highest order.

Mostly self-taught, multi-Instrumentalists, both Hamish and Lachlan became in-demand session musicians before finishing high school. They have collaborated with a vast range of artists including Andrew Farris (INXS), The Black Sorrows, Melinda Schneider, Lee Kernaghan as well as Grammy award winning US bluegrass artists Jim Lauderdale, Don Rigsby and Mike Compton.

Raised in Gippsland, the boys have performed extensively across Australia for the past 20 years; as well as touring overseas regularly and building a following in both the USA and Europe. With eight album releases and a large catalogue of original material, the Davidson Brothers established the Australian Bluegrass Scholarship in 2011 in order to give back to the community and encourage the development of young acoustic musicians.

The Davidson Brothers are destined to have a long-standing career on the Australian music scene.

Alan Fletcher has worked as a professional performer in film, television and theatre for 40 years but he is predominately known in Australia and many other countries for his 23 years as Dr Karl Kennedy on the iconic Australian drama Neighbours.

In 2004 Alan formed rock band Waiting Room with Chris Hawker and Tommy Rando (later joined by drummer Jeff Consi). The band produced their first album in 2005 before embarking upon eight wildly successful tours of the UK combined with a 10 year residency at the Elephant and Wheelbarrow in St Kilda.

Waiting Room continues to perform in Melbourne.

Jo Jo Smith is an inspirational performer generous of heart soul and musicality.  Her material is steeped in groove and comes from a roots base of Blues, Soul, Funk and Jazz.  A radical exponent of the power of  love and music, and certainly under- known given all the heavyweights from across the decades and genres whom she’s worked along- side and or recorded with including  Marcia Hines, Olivia Newton, Renee Geyer, Venetta Fields, Kate Ceberano, Glenn Shorrock, Peter Cupples the list goes on. Jo Jo has a somewhat cult status, deeply revered by fans and musical peers alike. No one leaves a Jo Jo Smith Performance untouched by her vocal ability and magnetic stage presence. A song writer of great depth and beauty her material ruminates on love life and all things real. Jo Jo traverses soul, blues and roots music with an effortless grace and energy.

“ I’ve been lucky enough to grow up with Jo Jo’s music. But I do remember a specific moment at an intimate show when it hit me how brilliant she was. There was this deft capturing of the crowd with her rich vocals, they flowed over us almost visibly (like amber, like honey, like the love light she sings about!) Then prickles of joy. I realised I was in the presence of a master. And boy did it feel good.”  Ella Hooper

I sure don’t know any half arsed Jo Jo Smith fans. You’ve either experienced the joy and wonder that is being in the same room as this woman singing and playing, or…you haven’t heard her yet “ Lucie Thorne

Country Folk Singer Songwriter, Benny is from the hills of North East Victoria, Loves a secret garden session and the occasional festival appearance.