Performing Artists 2024
Backwater
The folks in Backwater play the kind of traditional Bluegrass made famous by Bill Monroe, Flatt and Scruggs, Jimmy Martin and the Stanley brothers with a smattering of Carter Family material.
Backwater features Rob Lewis on guitar and vocals, Mark Pottenger on mandolin and vocals, Peter Somerville on banjo and vocals and Maxine Sutcliffe on double bass, fiddle and vocals.
Brushwood
Brushwood is a four piece acoustic band from South Australia’s Fleurieu Peninsula comprising Joe Cairns (Vocals/Bodhran), Kath Kennedy (Vocals/Fiddle), Michael McGregor (Vocals/Mandolin/Irish Bouzouki/Guitar/Harmonica) and Kyffin Williams (Vocals/Guitar). Expect lively toe-tapping tunes and powerful songs with Joe’s deep baritone voice backed by rich harmonies. Coming from backgrounds in Celtic, traditional Australian, Old Timey and bluegrass backgrounds, their entertaining music reflects a range of influences with themes of love, loss, life, death, mining, convicts, ships and bad habits of various kinds.
The Cartwheels
The Cartwheels are Golden Guitar winners Wendy Phypers and Dave Patterson who are joined by talented multi-instrumentalists Pete Fidler and Jacob McGuffie. Their new single, Milking Yard Creek, is The Cartwheels in bluegrass mode with a song about a country homecoming and the emotion and joy that it brings. Milking Yard Creek is the first single from their sixth studio album due for release later in 2023.
They recorded their fifth studio album, ‘The Cartwheels’, in Victoria and Nashville in 2019. The album was produced by Stu Hibberd (Sierra Ferrell, Long Time Coming) and was in the finals of the 2020 Music Victoria Awards for Country Album Of The Year.
Cat And Clint
With over 15 years of performing at festivals and events around Australia and overseas, Cat & Clint are like a well-oiled music machine! The duo presents fiddle-powered dance tunes from the Blue Ridge Mountains in USA to the Great Divide in Australia, honouring the old time tunes while bringing them into the present with fresh vitality. Dreamy vocal harmonies are woven through traditional old time ballads that sit alongside contemporary compositions and original songs. Cat & Clint are folk festival favourites and invite you to join in the fun and frivolity.
In addition to their lively performances, Cat & Clint will be holding a workshop on Saturday afternoon. See the Workshops page for more information.
Colin Driscoll
The master Bush Poet, Colin has been writing and performing for around 30 years, gaining his inspiration from growing up on the farm, as well as the sights he has seen, the places he has visited and the people he has met. He has travelled extensively throughout outback Australia and has worked as a tour guide in such iconic places as Uluru, Kakadu, The Gulf and The Kimberley. Winner of the prestigious ‘Golden Damper Award’ at Tamworth, Colin has published a book and 3 CDs of his original works. Also an accomplished actor, he has appeared in multiple live musical stage productions.
Colin will hold the Poet’s Breakfast at the main stage on Saturday and Sunday mornings and a number of workshops at the Poet’s Corner throughout the weekend.
Crooked Road
Crooked Road is all about bluegrass, folk, country, gospel, pop and rock. Harmony-driven originals and songs by our favourite musicians. Songs about trains, whisky, death, relativity, love, trucks,, despair, geography, roadkill, rain and lost car keys. We write most of what we play.
As individuals, Crooked Road’s line-up has played in The Hamilton County Bluegrass Band, The Skillet Lickers, The Bill Chambers Band, Country Comfort, Shut Up and Deal, Highly Strung, The Bridgland Brothers, Old South Bluegrass Band, The Rank Strangers, Savoir Plunk, The Buckshot Boogie Band, Dingo Ridge, The Borderers, Kelly’s Revenge, The Dags, Spiral Dance, Los Gatos Locos, and The Barkers.
Crooked Road have been regular performers at the Fleurieu Folk Festival, Wirrina Bluegrass and Roots Festival, Sandford Bush Festival, Harrietville Bluegrass Festival, Mountaingrass and the Wooden Boats Festival.
Crooked Road are: Phill Parker on guitar and vocals, Andrew Hook on vocals, mandolin and guitar, Dave Taylor on vocals, double bass and guitar, Leonard Cohen on vocals and dobro.
The Drongo and The Crow
The Drongo and The Crow delivers lively songs and ripping yarns from Australia’s slums, goldfields and bushranger country. We revive the lost tunes of inner city Sydney and Melbourne and showcase them alongside the better known outback standards. Join us in celebrating the sheep-thieves, cut-throats, sly grog merchants and working girls that made this country great.
Henk Groot
Henk began playing guitar at 12. He’s played gospel, cabaret, folk and country and now plays folk banjo, mandolin and fiddle. An accomplished singer/songwriter, Henk’s ambition is to write the quintessential Aussie folk song.
Henk’s Walk-Ups and Jams are held at the Social Club Saturday and Sunday nights starting at 9.30pm and finishing late. All are welcome. If you want to perform, make sure you get your name on the board before the 9.30pm start time. The board will be up some time in the afternoon.
Jose Garcia
Whilst embracing a variety of styles, Jose has never forgotten his folk and country roots. “Music is for everyone” he says and so he becomes somewhat of a “musical evangelist”, running jam sessions, playing in various bands and promoting music participation wherever he can.
Jose will be running Jose’s Hotspot marquee over the weekend as well as holding his Jamming and Stagecraft workshops. See the Workshops page for more information.
Kelly’s Wayke
Kelly’s Wayke was actually born at an Irish wake for Mick Murphy, brother of band member Brian Murphy and family friend of the Kelly’s, so when the Kelly’s and the Murphys got together for Mick’s wake, all the old Irish songs our parents had taught us when we were growing up were played to celebrate Mick’s life. We were playing for 6 to 7 hours at the back room of the pub when the publican came into the room. We thought he was going to kick us out for making too much noise but he said, “No, we turned off the jukeboxes hours ago, we’ve been listening to you guys all night”. A quick phone call from Damien to Brian and Paddy the next day and Kelly’s Wayke was born and we celebrate love, life and all in between!
Luke Robinson
A Sandford Festival regular, Luke is a singer-songwriter with a powerful bass voice accompanied by acoustic guitar, varying in style from folk to country and rock. Currently living in Mullumbimby NSW, he grew up in Gippsland and has worked for many years in the Northern Territory. With carefully-crafted lyrics delivered in rousing anthems and contemplative ballads, his songs range from Australia’s First Peoples to rural communities battling miners and some light-hearted commentary on modern life. He also enjoys covering artists such as Redgum, Shane Howard, Eric Bogle and Johnny Cash. Luke regularly appears at the Folk Festivals in NSW and Victoria.
Moonshine Coalition
Moonshine Coalition is Max Lees, Annie Dixon and Geoff Stokes – an Americana/folk/old timey trio that specializes in not just playing their music but in full audience engagement and entertainment. We play bottleneck resonator guitar, finger-picking bluegrass-style banjo, double bass and have intricate 3-part vocal harmonies.
We play predominantly original songs and we have found our music appeals to a wide range of audiences from all age groups, being just as popular with people from the teens and twenties through to their seventies and beyond. Described as “Frontier Music”, our songs tell stories ranging from our pioneering history to current social issues.
Visually arresting with an atmosphere of “Pioneer Gothic”, Moonshine Coalition specialize in providing an intimate, meticulously arranged performance.
Possums On The Porch
Possums on the Porch is a duo consisting of Lyndie Jacobson (fiddle, harmonica, ukulele, vocals) and Claudia Collins (acoustic guitar, ukulele, vocals). The ladies decided to form a duo in 2016 to pursue their love of Modern Country Ballads, Blue Grass, Old Timey and Folk Music. Of course, being who they are they cannot help but put theatre and comedy into their act as they do in their everyday lives. You may catch Possums on the Porch at cafés, clubs, wineries, festivals and markets or even busking in the Geelong and Bellarine District.
The Royal High Jinx
The Royal High Jinx write, play and sing music inspired by European traditions, shaded with gypsy jazz and a pinch of classical virtuosity, while sporting a spectacular wardrobe combining dapper suits and burlesque exuberance.
Sarah (Violin), Silas (Piano, Drums), Jen (Guitars) and Terry (Mandolin) formed the band in Melbourne Australia in 2014 as a way to explore their musical roots and bring their favourite spicy instrumental music and classic continental standards into the modern age.
Their most recent album “Wheel of Poor Choices” was released in March 2017. It features their most popular tunes from their live shows and captures their enthusiasm, craft and cheekiness.
The Rummagers
The Rummagers folk band revel in traditional Irish tunes blended with contemporary folk songs and original compositions themed for the early days of tall ships sailing to new lands, such as the Shipwreck Coast of Victoria. This thigh-slapping trio sail from sweetly sad to rollicking and rambunctious.
Hailing from the Geelong Surfcoast region in Australia, the group comprises of Lewis Strating on fiddle and percussion, Michael Murphy on guitar and Anna Cutler on whistle. The trio share vocal duties, often singing in harmony which has become a highlight and draw card attraction for the group’s performances at music festivals since 2019. Whether you crave for a rowdy folk sing-a-long or are searching for a sweet and beautiful ballad to reflect and reminisce, The Rummagers have you covered! Anchors down, fiddles up!
Together with Strat and Lyndal, The Rummagers will be holding a bush dance at the main stage on Sunday evening. All are welcome, the more dancers, the better!
Sally’s Ukulele
Bluegrass, celtic, gypsy jazz, ragtime, classical, pop, jazz, old favourites, originals and folk. From fast toe-tapping tunes featuring daredevil acts of musical bravery to beautiful, soulful songs and melodies played from the heart. Sally Carter performs on her two tenor KLŌS ukuleles at festivals, private concerts and workshops, weddings, parties and online. Sally’s shows take people on a journey through many genres, with plenty of banter and good fun thrown in!
Sally will also be holding her Ukulele Boot Camp on Sunday. See the Workshops page for more information.
Sarah Remin
As a 3 year old Sarah went missing at a festival and eventually turned up in a costume on stage. Apparently she had gatecrashed a group preparing for their act and they didn’t have the heart to chase her away. She still loves to perform but these days she doesn’t have to gatecrash other people’s acts. Sarah sings and plays piano/keyboard at pubs, clubs, corporate events and parties.
Strat And Lyndal
Strat is a singer, multi-instrumentalist and songwriter who has performed and taught in the Australian music scene for more than 30 years. He is passionate about engaging and empowering people in the joy of music making and exploring our identity through music and song.
Lyndal counts herself lucky to have grown up within the folk tradition and has a keen understanding of the power of music to transform lives and communities. Performing on trombone and button accordion she is a performer, community music maker, leadership facilitator, singing leader and music teacher from Gippsland.
Together they have the capacity to get a room full of reluctant participants fully engaged in music and arts making. They have worked supportively and collaboratively on each other’s projects and perform harmoniously – with all meanings of the word! Together they lead performing street bands: ‘Invy Horn Jam’ and ‘Boomulele’, perform as a duo, deeply discuss community music making, run music camps, present workshops, lead parades and play on the porch!
In addition to their performance spots, Strat and Lyndal will be holding workshops over the weekend and participating in the Bush Dance on Sunday evening.
Stumpy Gully
Stumpy Gully is a fun band that was formed to support community events and raise funds for local charities and community groups. The group plays a mix of bush, folk and bluegrass often interrupted by spontaneous outbursts of bush poetry or lively banter.
Andrew Clermont’s Supper Club
Andrew Clermont is a chameleon multi-instrumental musician from bluegrass to Indian, Scandinavian to old time. He is a 3 time Bluegrass Guitar Champion and a Director of the Golden-Fiddle Awards in Australia!
Look for him behind the sound console at the main stage and also Andrew Clermont’s Supper Club on Saturday afternoon.
Tidal Moon
“Acoustic ripples upon a sea of imagination.” Beautiful traditional and original music that has stunned audiences wherever they’ve played.
Barbara Jeffrey is a singer/songwriter/harpist who combines her classical training with folk influences to produce a unique sound. She has performed in various venues around Australia, from Yarra Grange in the Yarra Valley to the Sydney Opera House Reception Hall. She has performed and toured as a member of the classically based trio “Cimarosa” and the Sydney based “Ten Sopranos”.
Whilst embracing a variety of styles, Jose has never forgotten his folk and country roots. “Music is for everyone” he says and so he becomes somewhat of a “musical evangelist”, running jam sessions, playing in various bands and promoting music participation wherever he can.
Barbara’s ethereal soprano voice combines with Jose’s earthy baritone vocals to produce an amazing blend filled with texture and passion.
Tim McMillan And Rachel Snow
Berlin based Aussie duo – fingerstyle percussive guitar meets masterful violin accompaniment and a magical blend of vocals as Tim McMillan & Rachel Snow twirl their musical influences together to create a riveting potion of Celtic rock, folk, metal, classical & jazz. Recently performed at Woodford Folk Festival, Healesville Music Festival and Yackandandah Folk Festival.
Tony O’Rourke
An accomplished multi-instrumentalist on guitar, tenor banjo, Irish bouzouki and mandolin, As a teenager Tony began playing hard rock and anything else above 100 decibels! He also dabbled in finger style and folk guitar eventually falling in love with jazz guitar. Later he began flat-picking and followed up with Irish music sessions. Tony has played alongside some of the most respected names in Bluegrass and Irish music. He has written a number of books and has released three CDs of Irish music. He has won or been placed in a number of writing, singing and playing competitions.
Tony will be holding his guitar, banjo and mandolin workshops on Saturday. See the Workshops page for more information.
Twa Bards
The Twa Bards are Don Grieve: Vocals, Guitar, Bodhran & Angela Preiss: Vocals, Bodhran, Harp, Flute, Whistles, Fiddle. Don’s definitive Scottish brogue, rich vocal performance and rhythmic folk guitar alongside Angela’s rich vocal harmonies and instrumental variations combines like chilli and chocolate…haggis & whiskey!
Don discovered his Scottish history through its songs and stories taught by his father and friends. The work of Robert Burns was an essential part of the tradition. Angela’s classical roots have loosened up into folk and funk styles along the way! The Twa Bards have a tartan heart that time travels! “May your pulse beat as your heart would wish!”