The Australian music scene has had a long history of uncovering phenomenal talent and the occasional larrikin. Lennox local Marshall Okell is one man who embodies both attributes. Back performing under his own name in 2012, Marshall Okell will be bringing a new band and new sound to audiences all over the world.

Dedicated to a life on the road, Marshall Okell is known for his crowd-rousing and energetic live performances as the front man and creative drive behind the crowd pleasing Marshall & The ‘Fro. A band who have ripped the lips off capacity audiences all over Australia, including festivals such as Byron Bay Bluesfest, Woodford Folk Festival, Peats ridge Festival, Festival of The Sun and the Optus Gympie Muster to name a few.

In the winter of 2011 Marshall felt it was time to evolve away from ‘The Fro’, so he decided to write a new album under his own name. As the notes and lyrics grew on the page, so too grew a grand vision of how the album should sound. He wanted it to be united under a special bond. So when Marshall Okell went looking for a rhythm section for his new band, he naturally asked his friends Ryan & Howler of Chase The Sun first.

After a very successful release of the ‘Sugar’ EP at this year’s Byron Bay Blues Festival the track Almost Killed You has just picked up best ‘Blues & Roots Artist of the Year’ at this year’s Music OZ awards held at The Sydney Opera House. Watch out for this new Aussie Super Group on the road in 2012.

With his prolific song writing and unique vocal style, James has been an iconic artist in the Australian musical landscape for over four decades. 

Singer, Songwriter, Actor and Musician, James has had many hits including Motor's Too Fast, Fall Of Rome, Reckless, Way Out West, Slave, Some People, Red Light Avenue, Bug, The Rainbows Dead End and Little Man You've Had A Busy Day.

James was also the lead singer with Australian Crawl with hits Boys Light Up, Errol and Beautiful People. More info...

There has been no overnight success for Mr. Paul Greene. He is living proof that it is hard work being lucky. Rather than fast tracking to fame by Australian Idol or whatever other media junket is giving hopefuls a chance to sell their soul. For Greene it has been a long, slow, steady progression that has seen him become the respected musician he is today, and earned him the mantle of ‘Australia’s Hardest Working Musician’, as well as a legion of loyal fans and supporters.

By the second half of 2011, invigorated by a twelve month break from the road, Greene was with new management, and in negotiations with ABC Music who will be releasing Greene’s new album ‘Behind The Stars’. This will be Greene’s first album as a ‘band’ assuming the moniker ‘Paul Greene & The Other Colours’. It’s also the second of Paul’s records where he is credited as ‘producer’.

Musically this new album comes from a place where his last release ‘Everywhere Is Home’ left off: a groove that creates involuntary dancing (even in the car); infectious melodies; lyrics that make you forget it is a song, and feel more like a conversation with a dear friend. However from the first track, it is obvious that something is different. The locks have been blown off. Somewhere in the dark corners of Greene’s soul, something that was under lock and key has gotten out!

A true independent from the get go he has taken the cottage industry record label to a whole new level.  More info...

Pete Cornelius & the DeVilles est 1999, have released 7 full length albums, toured relentlessly, both national & international. Featured at some of Australia’s most  prestige festivals, including Byron Bay’s Bluesfest, The Great Southern Blues festival, Blues on Broadbeach, Thredbo Blues Festival, The Australian Blues Festival, Forth Valley Blues Festival, Southern Roots, and more.  Pete also spent 3 months living in Chicago 2007. There he played many gigs at clubs such as Buddy Guy’s “Legends”, Rosa’s Lounge, Kingston Mines, Blues on Halsted, and also performed at the Chicago Blues Festival, The Taste of Chicago and many other festivals and clubs in the surrounding states.

The DeVilles have gone through a few different phases in the past 11 years. Originally a hard hitting Texas blues band, playing tunes from the likes of Stevie Ray Vaughan and Jimi Hendrix. But have now settled into a new groove. Pete’s song writing, singing and guitar playing have evolved into something that can’t quite be described or put under genre titles, but still remain comfortable in the Blues / Roots camp.  His new album entitled ‘Tumbleweed’ features 6 original songs and a few handpicked covers from Neil Young, Allen Toussaint and Rory Gallagher. It also features a new line-up, Henry Nichols – Drums & Percussion, Randal Muir – Hammond Organ & Piano, Kelly Ottoway – Wurlitzer & Piano, Ian Collard – Harmonica, Jane McArthur – Vocals, Carmel Claxton – Vocals and Pete Cornelius – Guitar, Bass & Vocals. Joining Pete is long time members George Brugmans on drums & Ben Edwards on Bass and Vocals.

Crowds that turn up for Kevin Borich performances are a mixture of generations and attitudes. There are the younger musicians that are left pondering just how 3 performers can create such inescapable sound of electrifying rock; there are the old rockers: men past their prime but somehow with their long hair and relaxed stance they seemed to be the epitome of cool. There are young blues fans: guys and girls who know every word to every song and run around dancing manically and enjoying themselves immensely and there are the people from the indie regime who are curious to see if it is true what they have heard, that a guitarist song writer with a career spanning 40 years can transcend his rock based funk 'n' blues boundaries into the realms of their world. Turns out it can.

A hot triple header…

‘Brothers Grim’ are four Blues Hounds reviving 20's blues, in an unwholesome, moon howling, sweat dripping, groin shaking fervour...but I'd say the majority of their reputation is based on their mutation of the Blues with elements of Rockabilly, Swamp blues, Delta blues and Rock sensibilities.
"they twist three blues chords into a slide infused finger-picking chaos like no-one I've ever heard...gutsy music that grabs you and grinds you into the dirt, but tongue kisses you on the way down"... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVZUO3pHKlQ

‘Kira Puru & The Bruise’  “Best act at the last Woodford Festival according to many” 
It's not an old time thing you're feeling.  Gin Martinis at 3pm are still a legitimate cure for ennui.  You may not yet know what the 'mean reds' are, but Kira Puru and The Bruise will help you understand. Slowly. Skilfully. Here's how it goes: you'll stand, arms-crossed and uncertain, while KP+TB unfurl an ode to modern sadness in 50 uncomplicated minutes. It doesn't have to be one of those days, when you're there you'll just get it--languid, sullen, sweaty, spine-tingling.
"Sharon Jones-meets-Ella Fitzgerald vocals, flirty menace and whip-tight, black singlet-clad band are an enticing slice of badass that has a room thrashing merrily along." - The Brag ... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kadQrTuGSqM

Rattlehand... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7e0xTLEo_8s

Tinpan Orange return to the Sunshine Coast to launch their highly ambitious new album, OVER THE SUN. The record sees the ‘folk darlings’ transplanted into the middle of some lost opera, third act, high drama all around, orchestra in flight, the drums of war rumbling...          
Written firstly at home in Melbourne, as Emily’s pregnant belly grew, and later in the back of the Winnebago, in the wilds of Canada, at truckstops and beside frozen lakes, with a four-month old baby in tow, OVER THE SUN is a rich tapestry. And from the free-wheeling abandon of hit single ‘Barcelona’ to the high romance of the title track, Emily Lubitz’s voice is the thread of golden vapour, rising above the teacup.
The housewife casts her mind back, over the sun, through past loves, past lives, and all the crazy and foolish and wonderful things that people do, back to some original, ancient pain...
...the housewife goes mad.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdrNrMYWEqg&feature=relmfu

Despite coming from different parts of the globe, Australian blues/guitar maestro Ray Beadle and sultry Canadian chanteuse Jill Barber are united by a shared love of jazz classics. So much so, that the duo will showcase their “jazz chops” for a series of live shows down the East Coast of Australia this October and early November, for the ‘Come Out Swinging’ tour.
Ray Beadle & The Hightones will showcase the west coast jump blues style of America in the 50s & 60s, paying homage to artists such as Hollywood Fats, Junior Watson, Kid Ramos, Lynwood Slim, Igor Prado, Alex Schultz and Little Charlie Baty. These acts have kept this style alive and well around the world over the years, and to this day, audiences can still relate to the infectious rhythm of jump - a smooth mix of blues jazz and swing. Ray Beadle & The Hightones have promised audiences on this tour - they’ll ‘come out swinging’! If you believe they don’t write songs like they used to, there is new hope for old romantics.
Extraordinary Canadian vocalist Jill Barber picks up the torch where the golden age of music left off. Taking a giant step forward from the typical confines of the singer-songwriter, Barber creates songs that strongly evoke – and could themselves become classics. Inspired by the great ladies of song like Ella Fitzgerald and Edith Piaf, Barber’s latest album ‘Mischievous Moon’ marks a turning point in her career, exploring the themes of love and romance.
Don’t miss this rare opportunity to experiences two of the world finest musicians performing live together, as the ‘Come Out Swinging Tour’ winds from Brisbane down to Melbourne, culminating in the grand finale at Melbourne’s finest jazz club, Bennett’s Lane.
Ray... http://raybeadle.com/
Jill... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZtsgwzRdaM&feature=related

As genuine as Appalachian music can be... direct from the Mountains of Virginia!
It is obvious that this music has been in their blood for many generations, and this couple have been immersed in it since their conception.
For fans of American old time mountain music (and roots music lovers alike), the Whitetop Mountaineers are the genuine article. Martha Spencer and Jackson Cunningham return to Australia by popular demand. In 2008, 2009, and 2010 the duo stunned and delighted audiences across the country with their performance of American mountain music, song & dance – they are the ‘real deal’.
Both musicians are skilled multi-instrumentalists – Jackson on guitar, mandolin & claw hammer banjo, and Martha on fiddle, guitar & banjo. They are both strong vocal performers and their close harmonies are indicative of the old time and bluegrass traditions from which they draw their repertoire.  In addition to being a talented musician & singer, Martha is also an exceptional dancer – having spent much of her life learning Appalachian dance.

After having experienced a whirlwind of success since their debut EP Woodland, young Indie Folk five-piece, The Paper Kites, are proud to announce the release of their brand new EP, Young North. To celebrate this release, The Paper Kites will debut the EP in full in a series of captivating shows starting in October.  

Their new material has an upbeat and energetic feel to it, while maintaining the romantic and whimsical appeal of their old favourites. The earthy sounding instruments meld together to create a perfect backdrop for the band’s harmonic, strong and sensual voices.  

In their recent Heavy Reins tour The Paper Kites previewed songs from Young North, and fans have been buzzing with excitement ever since. 

They have toured with the likes of Boy & Bear and Josh Pyke, their song Featherstone featured in Grey’s Anatomy and their hit Bloom has been viewed more than a million times on Youtube. They sold out both their first East Coast tour and their July Heavy Reins tour.
More... Paper Kites  More... Art Of Sleeping  More... Battleships

The Floating Bridges are an exciting, original 5 piece band raising the bar in the roots music scene with their organic, yet upbeat sounds. Taking influences from Funk, Rock, Blues, Roots, Reggae, and then adding in latin percussion, gives this outfit a diversity and energy that sets them apart from their peers. Their frantic and energetic live performances, are the reason The Floating Bridges are becoming known as one of the hottest live acts in Queensland. Recent highlights include playing between Powderfinger and Jet at the 2010 Caloundra Music festival, scoring the main support slot for Josh Pyke at Mooloolaba New Years as well as support slots for JImmy Barnes, John Butler Trio and Many more of Australias finest, these gigs always rock.

Bless This Mess, a reference to life and all its wonderful chaos and colour, is both the title track of Lisa Mitchell’s highly anticipated new album available October 12 and the name of her new single, out now.
It has been three years since Lisa’s debut album Wonder first set hearts aflutter - going on to win the Australian Music Prize (AMP) for album of the year; as well as attaining platinum+ sales status. Lisa embarked on a non-stop touring schedule including international tours with Mumford & Sons, her own theatre headlines and an inspired set at UK’s legendary Glastonbury festival performing alongside Neil Young, Bruce Springsteen and Nick Cave.
Bless This Mess, the single, inspired by the household saying you often see cross-stitched and hanging on a Nanna’s wall, is the follow-up from Lisa’s uplifting Spiritus EP that was released earlier this year. Featuring Lisa’s trademark lyrics and melodies, Bless This Mess also sees her rock out like never before. Both Bless This Mess and Spiritus will feature on Lisa’s sophomore album.

In June of this year Lisa embarked on an inspired national Heavenly Sounds tour of Churches. Every date sold-out and fortunate fans were treated to bespoke performances of her past hits (including Coin Laundry, Neapolitan Dreams, Oh Hark, and Spiritus) as well as a teaser of what they can expect from the new album.
This October, Lisa is set to hit the road again with full six-piece band and a swag of rich and wonderful new songs. Special guests and good friends Alpine and Danco are joining for the occasion.

Acclaimed singer / songwriter Mark Seymour has followed up his successful 18 years with Hunters & Collectors with a vibrant solo recording career. Mark's song-writing ever evolves, he continually produces songs that resonate and permeate one's consciousness. This evolution is due in part to the diversity in his activities which include composition of film scores, writing and performing music for a theatrical production and acting. Internationally regarded as one of Australia's best singer / songwriters, Mark continues to draw live audiences with his intense passionate vocals delivered with a measure of wry humour. More info...