Hailing from rural Victoria, Australia, Geoff Achison has forged an international career for himself playing his 'Souldiggin' brand of R&B music. Showcasing his distinctive guitar style and gravely vocals Geoff and his band 'The Souldiggers' deliver a rolicking set of blues, funk & soul flavoured originals. His bare bones solo-acoustic gigs feature a punchy mix of stripped down ballads, blues and rockers.

Through travelling and touring, Geoff has built his reputation on his live performances transporting his audiences from the gentlest of ballads to the most electrifying rave-ups and back again. He has also enjoyed collaborating with Rock, Jazz & Classical musicians employing some of these for his 2002 'Chasing My Tail' album. Here the horns & strings compliment the Oz band on a clutch of new songs.

Perth based Blue Shaddy emerged onto the music scene from the country's wheatbelt of Western Australia some years ago and fast gained a large audience thirst for their music.
Blue Shaddy have a great reputation as being a high energy live act which encourages audience participation. With spontaneous dance grooves, Jungle Rhythms, and a funk edge, which has been described as a true blend of Roots/Funk/Blues with a touch of Reggae, which draws on a wide audience age group that soon get on their feet and join in.
Blue Shaddy are totally original and fully independent with three albums released to date and have been working consistently both within Australia and overseas for the past eight years. With a large fan base and fantastic response from Festival audiences, locally and internationally.

Directors comment: An amazing and incredible high energy band... the Shaddy's have proven over again, they have it - and don't the audience know it!! You haven't experienced anything until you see this band live. They say 'Belly' is the fastest harp player in the world!! New album coming out this year...Melz

www.blueshaddy.com

Originating from the Western Suburbs of Sydney and raised on the blue collar ethic of hard playing to the sweaty beerhall punters in the grand old tradition of Aussie pub bands, Black & Blues have forged a blues sound part Chicago, part Texas, part swing, but all about Australia.

The five piece has always included keyboards, guitar and harmonica, but had undergone some lineup changes before settling down to record.
To date, a live cd, “Live at the Cat & Fiddle”, was released and followed up by their powerful, original “Stung” cd. Further recordings are in the works and will be eagerly awaited by their growing number of fans.

www.blackandblues.net

Since starting out way back Chook has developed his own sound. While he’s undoubtedly been influenced by the “two Bobs” (Marley and Johnson) his Aussie style of Mississippi Delta Blues is all his own. Chook’s songs are almost always about his own personal experience and places he’s been to or lived in. His own songs won’t be about New Orleans, Memphis or Dallas but more likely songs about his experience of life in country towns like Bridgetown or Greenbushes.

Storme is an experienced and powerful Singer/Songwriter and guitarist. A WA Academy graduate, her debut albulm shows influences of Sarah McLaucghlan with her angelic harmonising, and captivating moments. A hint of Sherryl Crows cool yet blues and rock based structures to Jeff Buckleys development of tribal percussive sounds and melodic soundscapes with passionate but serious vocals with an attitude to encompass and satisfy the listener.

Storme has played support alongside artists like John Farnham, Lucky Oceans, Johnny Young, Normie Rowe, Robert James (GangGajang) and Ric Whittle.

www.storme.com.au

Forming "The Others" back in Adelaide in 1963 were Ian Nancarrow and the late Terry Radford. Influencing many bands back then such as "The Masters Apprentices", who credited Ian for giving them the idea for the bands name.

The band have survived countless long road trips (with the associated incidents, smashes and, of course, a few serious parties!) let downs, break ups, personal tragedies, impossible schedules - in fact all the traumas and dramas every band may experience. Despite these setbacks, the music has remained the driving force of Australian Rock Blues.

Ian Nancaroow is still rockin' this boat with guitar and harmonica joined by Jeff Gurr on bass, Jeff Bateman on drums and Steven Korovljev' on guitar and newest member David Skull keeping the vocals powerful and honest.

When you have heard every blues band - then it is time to hear "The Others".

Their album "Hit The Wall" is available now, and new album "Blues, Bushrangers, and The Others" is about to be released - keep tune!

www.theothers.com.au

The Haba Dudes play a stubbornly fresh and original music. They play for the people, to share with the world their lyrical and musical messages. With the combination of Mark's acoustic rhythms, socially poignant lyrics, Guilherme's passionate drumming, the haunting and complex violin journeys of Gonzalo, and the unique, clean, heartfelt sax blowing of Marcos, the Habas create a distinctive sound with elements of Blues and Roots, Jazz, Reggae, Folk and Gypsy.

Men In Blues are reinventing the genre for a modern audience. Combining modern blues with a groove-based dynamic, this three piece band are playing their songs to ever increasing audiences. With vocalist guitarist, Mike Beale up front and a truly dazzling rhythm section they are sliding, grooving and infusing their way into the worlds of audiences everywhere.
At a fill in gig in late 2003 Mike struck a common cord with some local players, a love of groove based blues and roots music. Once together they began the process of musical fusion - a coming together of ideas and styles - out of which the band Men In Blues was formed. "We take the traditional blues style and twist it, finding a groove and keeping the music up".

www.meninblues.com

After living in Hollywood playing and promoting his co-produced debut album, Another Night Someweher Else (2002), Thomas Vecera took time off in Australia to write and record songs for his follow-up work, Welcome To Yikesville. Produced by Shane O'Mara it is an artful blend of new folk/pop and alternative songwriting that is reminiscent of billboard hits spanning more than three decades.

While Thomas did return to the US for a time to reconnect with his Texas roots in Austin, he is now back in Australia living permanently in Melbourne. He is introducing the crowds to his new brand of story-telling.

Thomas grew up just outside of Houston but quickly made his way in the Austin music scene where he fronted bands that saw local and regional success, playing famed clubs like Steamboat, Babe's, Saxon Pub, and the Hole in the Wall. Thomas has also teamed up with producers Mark Hallman and Stephen Doster.

www.vecera.net

Mark Vine is a prominent Australian Blues Singer/Songwriter Guitarist. Mark has been performing and touring Australia since the 70s with such acts as the Sneekers, Feet First with Lindsay Wells and Steve Cole and later on with Lindsay and Howie Smallman.
After touring Australia as support for great acts such as Angry Anderson and the Giants he is back in his hometown of Perth playing at various blues venues.
Mark has a vast recording history behind him listed in the who’s who of Australian Rock and Roll. These include, “Tough Enough” and “Making Time” with The Moneymakers and “Something Old, Something New” with Ashley Cook and Jon Ryder released through Tempo Records and with guest appearances on many other artists albums, but if you like your blues with a touch of power R n B (think Robin Trower, then forget it!) then get a copy of his latest release “Still Life”.

Directors' Comment: I personally use Mark Vine as my wake up call, his music is the equivalent of splashing cold water on my face each morning. His no holds barred style of pumping rock blues is a great way to start the day.

Special International Guest Artist

Jetsurfers - from Norway

Jetsurfers are our International guest band from Norway.
The band consists of 4 Norwegian lads:
Nilsen - vocals, guitars, harmonica, mandolin
Elvestad - drums, percussion, vocals
Norgaard - bass, vocals
Aass - pedal-steel, lap-steel, vocals.
This tight rootsy country blues band was formed in 1999 and has since released 4 albums.
"Muddy" is off of their latest album "Five Years Down The Road".
This band has a huge array of talent playing diverse instruments form harmonica, mandolin to pedal and lap steel taking the listener down a road of blues and roots entwined with country.
This professional act receives rave reviews in Scandinavia, and supported the likes of Mick Taylor, Johnny Winter, Hellbillies and Buddy Miller and after playing many Norwegian festivals have earned the band a well deserved reputation as "one of Norway's greatest live acts".

www.jetsurfers.com

Originating from the Western Suburbs of Sydney and raised on the blue collar ethic of hard playing to the sweaty beerhall punters in the grand old tradition of Aussie pub bands, Black & Blues have forged a blues sound part Chicago, part Texas, part swing, but all about Australia.

The five piece has always included keyboards, guitar and harmonica, but had undergone some lineup changes before settling down to record.
To date, a live cd, “Live at the Cat & Fiddle”, was released and followed up by their powerful, original “Stung” cd. Further recordings are in the works and will be eagerly awaited by their growing number of fans.

www.blackandblues.net

Hailing from Perth, Western Australia the "Doodaddies" are a four piece Chicago style blues band featuring the red hot guitar chops of Dave Brewer and the sensational harmonica playing of 'Diamond' Dave Billing.

"Diamond" Dave masterfully demonstrates a full understanding of the many styles of the harmonica - from the expressive acoustic approach to the 'driving' amplified style and the chromatic harmonica styles. "Diamond” Dave has developed one of the most distinctive styles heard in Australia - such a great tone with ideas to match!

“Diamond” Dave spent the late 1980s and most of the 90s performing with his band 'The Mighty Mudcats'. In 2000 the 'Mudcats' changed their name and introduced new members including Dave Brewer who had recently returned to live in Perth.

Brewer played with the ‘Elks’ in the late 70s and shifted base from Perth to Sydney touring up and down the east coast. In 1982 the ‘Elks’ disbanded and Brewer stayed on in Sydney and formed a lasting musical partnership with harmonica/ vocalist 'Continental' Robert Susz and joined his soul /R&B band, 'The Dynamic Hepnotics' as well as the 'Mighty Reapers'. During the 90s the 'Mighty Reapers' released five cds for Rufus Records label and played support for many visiting blues acts including BB King, Albert King, Buddy Guy, Screaming Jay Hawkins, Stevie Ray Vaughan etc.

The 'Doodaddies' cover a solid selection of uplifting grooves including swinging shuffles, soul, boogaloo, 'cry in your beer' blues and more.

With a number of live shows and two cd releases including the recently released (Jan 2006) 'Lonely Part of Town' the 'Doodaddies' prove not only that the roots of the blues are strong and far reaching but that the future of the blues is bright!