JUDY BAILEY

Judy Bailey holds a special place in Australian jazz history as one of this country's earliest and most prominent female jazz musicians and teachers. She was born in Auckland, New Zealand in 1935 and raised in Whangarei, where she commenced formal piano studies at the age of ten. Six years later, she obtained the ATCL (piano perf.) qualification. After arriving in Australia in 1960, Judy became involved in the musical life of Sydney through regular performances at the legendary El Rocco Jazz Cellar (with John Sangster, Don Burrows and Graeme Lyall to name but a few).

As pianist / arranger, Judy was permanently employed over a period of eight years with Tommy Tycho’s Orchestra (Channel 7), Don Burrow’s Septet (Channel 2), John Bamford’s Orchestra (Channel 9) and Jack Grimsley’s Orchestra (Channel 10). During the late Sixties until the early Seventies saw a period of semi-retirement where she was happily involved with the early rearing of her two children Lisette and Christopher. In 1973 Judy became the resident pianist for the ABC Radio Program Kindergarten and introduced ‘music and movement’ programs for young children at Currambena and Lane Cove West Primary Schools.

That same year saw Judy become a founding faculty member in the well-known and highly respected Tertiary Jazz Studies Program at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music - where she continues lecturing to this day. At the behest of the Australian Government, Judy together with her Jazz quartet travelled to Southeast Asia on what was to become the first of three international concert tours organised by Musica Viva. During this time, she was also appointed Musical Director (Jazz) for the immensely successful Bennelong series at the Sydney Opera House. The Eighties and Nineties saw a continuance of performing, composing, arranging, teaching, recording and touring, with the addition of becoming Musical Director for the Sydney Youth Jazz Ensemble Association - an umbrella organisation for a large, big band known as Jazz Connection, which over the years has built up a fine track record for ‘feeding’ potential students into the Jazz Studies Program at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music.

 The new Millennium sees a continuance of all these activities, though there has been a gradual shift to focusing more on teaching, education and composition. Judy has gained several prestigious awards, including the inaugural APRA Award for ‘Jazz Composition’, an Australian Entertainment Industry ‘MO’ for ‘Jazz Performance’ and in 2004 an OAM (Order of Australia Medal) awarded by the Australian Government for ‘Services to Music and Education’. More recently, Judy had the honour of performing solo at the Sydney Opera House at a private function for the world leaders as part of the 2007 APEC Summit. 

In January 2008 Judy was chosen as one of ‘Sydney’s top 100 most influential people’ in The Sydney Morning Herald’s ‘Sydney magazine’. Most recently in July 2008 and as part of the Australian Classical Music Awards (APRA and AMC), Belinda Webster (Tall Poppies Records) and Peter Rechniewski (SIMA) presented Judy with the Award for ‘Distinguished Services to Australian Music’ at the Sydney Opera House. Judy’s nomination was unique in that it was the first award ever granted to an outstanding jazz musician; finally identifying and acknowledging the music that creates a fusion of the classical and jazz genres. In 2017, rapper Rick Ross with producer Bink sampled Bailey's "Colour of My Dreams" from the Judy Bailey Quartet album 'Colours'. The sample was used on Ross' track "Santorini Greece" on the album 'Rather You Than Me'. Bailey is a represented artist of the Australian Music Centre.

SINGLES

''I'm Gonna Try / Jude's Blues'' 1974 Philips

ALBUMS

'You & The Night & The Music' 1964 CBS
'My Favourite Things' 1965 CBS

'One Moment' 1974 Philips
'Colours' 1976 Eureka
'Solo' 1978 Eureka
'Notwithstanding' 1991 ABC

'Sundial' 1993 EMI
'The Spritely Ones' 2001 Tall Poppies
'Speakeasy' 2001

'Pendulum' 2007 Creative Vibes'Jazz Legends: Judy Bailey' 2011 ABC
'Another Journey' 2018 Sydney Conservatorium Of Music

References

http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/intothemusic/judy-bailey/5433162

BIG ELECTRIC CAT

Big Electric Cat was a gothic rock group from Sydney, formed by musicians Paul Sadler and Deborah Denton, who had moved from London to Sydney in 1989. In 1991, inspired by Philip K. Dick's sci-fi novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? and the future noir movie Blade Runner, and inspired by the film's dark, futuristic and other themes, they formed Big Electric Cat. In 1993 they were joined by local bassist David Block, and live drumming was dropped in favour of a drum machine named "Dr.Ruth" after the famous sex therapist; thus, the band's sound was born.

After sell-out gigs across Australia and the resurgence of the gothic scene, the band recorded their four-track demo 'Suspira' on cassette. After several attempts to get signed to an Australian record label, they sent a demo to the newly formed Goth label Cleopatra Records in Los Angeles and were immediately offered a three-album deal. The band's first full album titled 'Dreams of a Mad King' was released in 1994. Recorded at Damien Gerrard Studios in Sydney and engineered by Russ Pilling it featured the songs "Christabel", "Orchid Dreaming", "Paris Skyes" and "Red Roses" which defined their sound.

At the suggestion of Cleopatra Records label boss Brian Perera, their second release, in October 1995, was the seven-track remix EP 'Burning Ember's, overseen by Q/Uberzone/Death Method. In 1997 the band embarked on the 40-city "Congregation Tour" of the USA with labelmates Christian Death and Switchblade Symphony. On their return to Australia, Denton left the band while Sadler and Block continued to write and record the second full-length album, 'Eyelash'. Recorded at Powerhouse Studios, Sydney, and released in August 1997, the songs took a darker, electronic journey; the title track "Eyelash" was dedicated to Sadler's father, who had recently died. With more live commitments and increasing popularity William Jackson was recruited for live keyboard duties, and when David Block quit unexpectedly later that year, he was replaced by Damien Gillette on bass.

Members

Paul Sadler (vocals, guitars), Deborah Denton (keyboards, vocals), David Block (bass), Dr. Ruth (drum machine), Changeling (bass keyboards), Rainey Dave (guitar keyboards), William Jackson (keyboards), Damien Gillett (bass)

EPs
'Burning Embers' 1995 Cleopatra

ALBUMS
'Dreams Of A Mad King' 1994 Cleopatra 
'Eyelash' 1997 Cleopatra 

References

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Electric_Cat

PSYCHRIST

Formed in the early 90s, Psychrist was a black-tinged death metal band, blasting the winds of hate from out of Canberra. The embryonic version of the band was a three-piece featuring former drummer Matt Coffey (ex-Addictive), guitarist Yuri Ward and bassist Dan Marsden, and this line-up scored a support with Morbid Angel but broke up sometime later. With James Simper stepping in on drums and Eddie Telfor on second guitar Psychrist gigged with Pungent Stench. Telfor was shortly replaced by Matt Keele and the line-up which issued their first EP 'The Abysmal Fiend' was consolidated. After this the vocal duties were taken on by Kel Dulihanty, with Ward taking up a backing vocal role.

Psychrist's fortunes then see-sawed and the band suffered from a string of personnel changes. After 1997's Metal for the Brain appearance Keele, Dulihanty and Simper split from the band, while Yuri Ward joined Armoured Angel as guitarist and singer. He remained a member of Psychrist, however and by mid 1998 the line-up of Ward, Marsden, Roger Stachow, Wes Roth and Nathan Youngberg had come together. Stachow and Youngberg were drawn from fellow Canberra deathsters Dying Embers. Glen Blazejak replaced Stachow in early 1999.

Their first album 'Embrace Rapture in Disgust' was finally released in February 2000 and the band did a national tour with Encabulos and Deluge. Around the same time, Ward and Blazejak also began playing in Lord Kaos. The band's second album 'Debauching the Minions' was released in mid-2002 and the band supported Destruction a short time later. Blazejak left the band in late 2003 and Psychrist subsequently folded. Dulihanty and Ward formed Kill for Satan in 2003 and Marsden, Roth and Youngberg emerged with Infinitum in late 2005.

Members

Yuri Ward (guitar, vocals), Dan Marsden (bass), Matt Coffey (drums), Eddie Telfor (guitar), Matt Keele (guitar), James Simper (drums), Kel Dulihanty (vocals), Roger Stachow (drums), Wes Roth (vocals), Nathan Youngberg (guitar), Glen Blazejak (drums)

EPs
'The Abysmal Fiend' 1994 Warhead Records

ALBUMS
'Embrace Rapture In Disgust' 1999 Dissident Records
'Debauching The Minions' 2002 Dissident Records

References

http://www.ausmetalguide.com/Psychrist

HENRY'S ANGER

Henry's Anger was a Canberra based heavy metal band formed in 1994. They were finalists in the Australian National University's Campus Bands competition. That year it received an ACT cultural grant and released the 'Honest Brutality, Horrific Beauty' demo tape. The demo tape was popular, selling about 350 copies by September 1995, helping them to establish a committed local following. After the release of the 'Interfere' EP, original guitarist Malcolm McAllister and vocalist Zeb Nowhere [Michael Patrick Monaghan] left to join forces with previous members of the rock band Stickman and folk duo Plutoastia to create the Canberra Acid folk outfit The Way Hip Antelopes. Monaghan was replaced by Jamie Thomas on vocals and Paddy Coffey on guitar. They released their first album 'Blacklining' in 1997. Their second album 'Personality Test' released in 1999 was nominated for an ARIA Award for Best Rock Album and reached #38 on the alternative charts. 

With international interest looming in the band, and midway through a round of promotional shows for the album, Thomas left/was sacked from Henry's Anger, and the band was forced into inactivity for several months while a replacement was sought. In mid-December 1999, vocalist Steve Simmons (ex-Mischling) was chosen as Henry's Anger's new singer and were then added to the bill of the 2000 Big Day Out in Sydney. The band then toured with Sprung Monkey and featured as the national support for Skinlab's tour in May 2000. While a new EP was promised for August 2000, Henry's Anger suddenly announced they had split up shortly after a performance at Metal for the Brain in October 2000. The band supported many acts such as Deftones, Mr Bungle, Suicidal Tendencies, Unsane, Strife, Regurgitator and The Mark of Cain. 

Members

Jamie Thomas (vocals), Matt Coffey (drums, percussion), Paddy Coffey (guitar), Rod Yates (bass, piano, guitar), Malcolm McAllister (guitar), Zeb Nowhere [Michael Patrick Monaghan] (vocals), Steve Simmons (vocals)

EPs
'Honest Brutality, Horrific Beauty' 1994 Henry's Anger
'Interfere' 1996 Henry's Anger 

ALBUMS
'Blacklining' 1997 D.C Records
'Personality Test' 1999 Chatterbox

References

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry%27s_Anger

BRUCE MATHISKE

Bruce Mathiske described by The Sydney Morning Herald as “The Authentic Guitar Virtuoso”, grew up on a wheat farm in the Mallee of Victoria and has paved a very successful career as predominately, a solo virtuoso guitarist and composer. ''Bruce Mathiske’s albums reflects not only his virtuosity and vision as a guitarist but also his under-acknowledged prowess as a composer, interpreter and producer. He displays technical brilliance and mastery of genres with an admirable absence of ostentation. Mathiske is the finest all-round guitarist this country has produced!'' - Tony Hillier, The Australian. His four decades of performing, recording over a dozen solo albums and touring has led to sell out concerts and worldwide acclaim.

''This virtuoso is one of Australia’s musical superstars, the notes explode from both hands leaving you to wonder if there is another Mathiske in the wings. By the time he had added the didgeeridoo and wowed us with outrageous harmonics from far flung corners of his guitar, we were all his''. Adrian Morgan, The Scotsman – Edinburgh Festival. His compositions of suites for guitar and orchestra are the culmination of a lifetime of absorbing music and sounds. He has toured Europe, North America and Japan, and has made appearances at various festivals.

ALBUMS
'Never Alone' 1988 Sandstock Music 
'Constant Companion' 1990 Sandstock Music
'Still' 1992 Sandstock Music
'Acoustically Speaking' 1994 Sandstock Music
'The Arrival' 1995 Larrikin
'I Wish' 1997 Mathiske Music
'Nightmare' 1999 Mathiske Music 
'On The Edge' 2001 Mathiske Music
'And Guitar' 2004 Mathiske Music
'Rhythms' 2007 Rhythm Hunter 
'Rhythm Hunter' 2010 Rhythm Hunter
'Guitar-Uoso' 2011 Rhythm Hunter
'My Life' 2013 Rhythm Hunter

References

http://www.mathiske.com/about.html

NEIL MURRAY

Neil James Murray was born in 1956 in Ararat and raised on a farm near Lake Bolac in Western Victoria. His paternal great-great-grandfather was driven out of his home in Scotland by the Highland Clearances and arrived in Australia in 1848. His grandfather showed him "blackfella stones" (remnants of indigenous artefacts including grindstones and axe heads) of the local Tjapwurrung tribe. He later wondered about the fate of the land's traditional owners. His family's farm raised sheep and crops until the mid-1970s. As a tertiary student, Murray studied art in Ballarat and Melbourne. In 1978 he started travelling through Australia, and by 1980 he moved to Papunya (about 240 km north-west of Alice Springs) where he worked as a teacher, truck driver and outstation worker, both there and at Kintore (about 530 km west of Alice Springs).

In June 2011 Murray described his earlier journey: It's not an easy road but those who really are meant to do it will do it anyway – they do it because they must, it's the only thing that validates their existence ... I was on a quest for meaning and that meaning I felt was to be found in the company of Indigenous people, the simple premise being they've lived on this land the longest, they know it the best. I wanted to learn from them so I kind of headed to the Territory because that's where I heard people still had their language and law and culture—Neil Murray, ABC News

Murray, on rhythm guitar and backing vocals, became a founding member of the Warumpi Band alongside Aboriginal members, Sammy Jabanangka Butcher on guitar and bass guitar; his brother, Gordon Jabanangka Butcher on drums; and George Rurrambu (born Kumanjayi Rurrambu II Burrarrawanga aka George Djilaynga) on lead vocals and didgeridoo. The Warumpi Band were pioneers of Aboriginal rock music and with Murray as a member they released two albums, 'Big Name, No Blankets' (April 1985) and 'Go Bush!' (April 1987). They toured widely, including the Blackfella/Whitefella Tour through outback Australia with Midnight Oil in 1986. The tour is named for Warumpi Band's 1985 single, "Blackfella/Whitefella", which was co-written by Murray and Djilaynga. Another single by the group, "My Island Home" (1987), was written entirely by Murray. By the end of 1988 Murray had left the group and relocated to Sydney.

His debut solo album, 'Calm and Crystal Clear' was issued in April 1989 on Festival Records' Infinity label. Murray described its sound as "outback rock with a slab of transcontinental drivin' thrown in". It was produced by Mark Moffatt (Mondo Rock, Eurogliders, Jenny Morris) and Murray used session musicians including Midnight Oil's Peter Gifford on bass guitar and Andy Travers from The Happening Thang on drums. In February of the following year The Canberra Times‍ '​ Mike Jackson felt that Murray "does belong to the current wave of new country music that's sweeping the land, courtesy of the likes of The Flying Emus and Joe Sun. However, his songs have definite folk overtones to them".

Neil Murray and The Rainmakers were formed to tour in support of 'Calm and Crystal Clear', with an initial line-up of Murray on lead vocals and lead guitar; James Cruikshank on keyboards and guitar (ex-Widdershins); Bill Heckenberg on drums; and Alex Hodgson on bass guitar. The group toured Australia before Murray took a four-month break, he reassembled The Rainmakers in mid-1990 which supported Midnight Oil's tour of Australia. By that time the line-up were Murray and Heckenberg with Bill Jacobi on bass guitar (ex-Warumpi Band); and Russell Nelson on guitar, keyboards and backing vocals (ex-Matt Finish).

By 1992 Murray had added Christine Anu to The Rainmakers, initially as a backing singer, he asked her to take on lead vocals for his track, "My Island Home". Murray's second solo album, 'These Hands', appeared in July 1993 and was co-produced by Moffatt, Jim Moginie (keyboardist and guitarist of Midnight Oil) and Angelique Cooper. By that time Anu had left to pursue her solo career. In June 1995 she recorded a cover version of "My Island Home", on her debut album, 'Stylin' Up'. That version was named the APRA Song of the Year at the APRA Awards for Murray as its songwriter and Anu as performer. The Anu version became an unofficial anthem and she performed it during the closing ceremony of the Sydney 2000 Olympics. In the following year it was listed in APRA Top 30 Australian songs of all time.

Murray's second book, Sing for Me, Countryman, appeared in 1993. By that year he had returned to the Lake Bolac area where he had bought a small farm block and worked with the local Tjapwurrung members to try to learn more of their culture. Although he also spent time living in the Northern Territory. The book was submitted for the Miles Franklin Literary Award of 1994 but was not short-listed. When in Victoria, Murray contacted neighbouring Gunditjmara people, Uncle Banjo Clarke (an elder) and Archie Roach (a musician). Murray was mentored by Clarke as he tried to speak and sing in the Tjapwurrung language.

In 1995 Murray, Rurrambu and Sammy Butcher reconvened Warumpi Band with Heckenberg on drums to undertake a European tour. A new album, 'Too Much Humbug', appeared in April of the next year, which Ian McFarlane described as having "slicker production values than either of its predecessors". Murray also issued a solo album, 'Dust', in May that year using guest musicians Chris Abrahams ( The Necks), David Bridie (Not Drowning, Waving), and Moginie; as well as backing vocals from Anu, Roach; and Sally Dastey and Amy Saunders from Tiddas. It was co-produced by Murray and Moginie for ABC Music's Songwriter Series. Murray was the subject of a documentary, Native Born, broadcast on Australian Story for ABC Television in April of that year.

Murray performed intermittently with Warumpi Band until 2000 while mainly working on his solo career with his backing band, The Rainmakers. His fourth solo album, 'The Wondering Kind', appeared in February 2000, which was self-financed and self-produced. By that time he was based in Darwin, but had recorded the album in Sydney during periodic visits over a year. For the album he worked with Heckenberg on drums and percussion; and Cotco Lovit on electric, acoustic and upright bass guitar. Other musicians included Stephen Teakle, Brendan Williams, Seamus (aka Jim) Moginie, Lucy Eames, and strings by Coda. Seth Jordan of Rhythms magazine opined that the "apathetic music industry seemed unsure whether to categorise Murray's solo work as rock, folk or country, despite critical acclaim", while his live performances "continue to attract a dedicated audience amongst those who appreciate truly well crafted songs".

In May 2003 Murray issued his next solo album, 'Going The Distance', which Martin Flanagan of The Age compared to the previous album "grief is also the subject of several songs on his new album... but the music is gentler now, lighter in touch". The album was co-produced by Murray and Moginie, Flanagan contrasted Murray's depiction of Tom Wills from the track, "Tom Wills Would", with his own understanding in The Call (1998) – a historical novel of the Australian sportsman: "I saw a man destroyed by the weight of contradictions bearing down on him, caught as he was between black and white culture. Murray sees a man who acted from choice throughout, even choosing a self-inflicted death. His Tom Wills is the man who supports the local team when no-one else will, who won't abide being dropped from the team ... He's the man who won't bootlick to authority". Also, in 2003 Murray recorded a live version of "My Island Home" at a gig at Richmond's Corner Hotel.

By May 2005 Murray had released his first compilation album, 'About Time: A Song Collection', which consists of 2× CD with one disc a "best of" collection from his previous studio albums and the other disc had "live and rare" tracks, including his 2003 version of "My Island Home". It appeared on his own label, Island Home Music, and was distributed by Universal Music Australia. In August 2006 Murray performed as 2songmen with Shane Howard (ex-Goanna), a fellow singer-songwriter-guitarist, at the Darwin Festival. The performance was recorded for a live album, '2songmen – Shane Howard & Neil Murray Live in Darwin', which was issued later that year. The pair also toured together into 2007.

Murray's sixth studio album, 'Overnighter', was issued in November 2007 by ABC Music. It was inspired by meeting fellow travellers at various roadhouses throughout Australia "when you are that strung out and tired, there is an unspoken camaraderie with those with whom you share the night and the distance. You might not speak but there is a kinship. It's not too hard to imagine their story". He toured eastern Australia in support of the album during May to June 2008. 'Witness', his seventh studio album, followed in February 2010. A track, "One of Those Tunes", was co-written by Murray with Moginie.

Michelle Slater of Australian Musician Network described Murray's performance styles in November 2012 as consisting of "indie rock, folk, jazz and country swing." She continues, "He made this gig unique with such an array of songs and stories. Upon leaving the venue, my aural senses were mixed with the reminiscent smells of a dripping tropical night and the red dust of the central desert". Murray and Moginie toured from mid-2013 to early 2014 under the banner of One of those Tunes. Murray's eighth studio album, 'Bring Thunder and Rain' was issued by May 2014. In 2019, Murray released his ninth solo album, 'Blood and Longing', with two singles released - ''Byjantic Man'' and ''Cry My Darling''. In the same year, 'Tjungu' (All in one, joined together) was released with Sammy Butcher. 'The Telling', Murray's tenth solo album, was released 31 March 2023 with Broken Land the first single.

SINGLES
''Calm And Crystal Clear / Too Many Love Songs'' 1989 Infinity 
''Let's Fall In Love Again (Just For The Hell Of It) / Wild Country'' 1989 Infinity 
''Oceans Of Regret / Silver City / Clever Man / Seven Days Of Rain'' 1990 Infinity Double Pack
''Far Away'' 1992 Massive
''Holy Road'' 1993 Aurora
''Sing Your Destiny'' 1993 Aurora 
''Fire Of Love'' 1996 ABC
''This Bliss'' 1996 ABC
''Give This Day / In My Heart'' 1996 ABC
''Late This Night (Radio Edit)'' 2000 ABC
''Good Light In Broome'' ABC

ALBUMS
'Calm and Crystal Clear' 1989 Infinity
'The Hands' 1993 Aurora
'Dust' 1996 ABC
'The Wondering Kind' 2000 EMI
'Going the Distance' 2003 Neil Murray
'Overnighter' 2007 Neil Murray
'Witness' 2010 ABC
'Bring Thunder and Rain' 2014 Neil Murray
'Blood and Longing' 2019 Neil Murray
'Tjungu (All In One, Joined Together) [with Sammy Butcher] 2019 Neil Murray
'The Telling' 2023 Neil Murray

References

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neil_Murray_%28Australian_musician%29

MARK SEYMOUR

Mark Jeremy Seymour was born on 26 July 1956 in Benalla to Frank and Paula Seymour. He has two older sisters, Hilary and Helen, and a younger brother, Nick (born 1958) – later bass guitarist for Crowded House. His mother encouraged all four children to learn musical instruments and sing. He initially learned piano but switched to guitar as a teenager. Seymour and his family moved to Melbourne in 1972, he graduated from University of Melbourne in 1978 and was qualified to teach. He later lived in the St Kilda area.

By 1980 Seymour, on lead guitar, was a member of The Jetsonnes, a post-punk pop group formed in Melbourne, with John Archer on bass guitar; Doug Falconer on drums; Margot O'Neill on lead vocals; and Ray Tosti-Gueira on guitar. Clinton Walker described the group as "lighter, bouncier (rather than funkier) and more infectious than other like-minded bands such as Models". In June 1980, record label Missing Link issued a double A-sided single "Newspaper" by the Jetsonnes and "Miniskirts in Moscow" by International Exiles. The Jetsonnes, Models, and International Exiles were "the first bands to rise out of Melbourne's hothouse punk, new wave explosion playing an exuberant brand of neo-pop".

In 1981, Seymour formed Hunters & Collectors from the remnants of The Jetsonnes with Archer, Falconer, and Tosti-Gueira. According to musicologist, Ian McFarlane, this was "a far more radical and unremitting concept" and Seymour, with his "blue labourer's singlet, bulging biceps, introspective angst and impassioned vocals" became the "thinking woman's sex symbol". Between 1981 and 1998, The Hunters and Collectors released nine studio albums and were inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame in 2005. In 1992, Seymour released his debut single, "Hey Boys" with Paul Kelly from the Garbo (soundtrack). The song peaked at #71 on the ARIA Charts.

Seymour wrote the Hunters and Collector's song "Holy Grail", which although not intended to be about sport, has been widely used in television broadcasts of Australian Football League matches, especially the AFL Grand Final. It was also used by the Queensland cricket team in the years leading up to its first Sheffield Shield win in 1995. Seymour has performed at several AFL Grand Finals.

In May 1997, whilst still officially part of Hunters and Collectors, Seymour released his first solo single, "Last Ditch Cabaret". The song peaked at #85 on the ARIA Charts. At the ARIA Music Awards of 1997, the song earned him two nominations: Best Male Artist and Breakthrough Single. "The Ghost Of Vainglory" and "Home Again" followed and Seymour released his debut studio album 'King Without A Clue' in September 1997. The album peaked at #53 on the ARIA charts and earned Seymour another nomination for Best Male Artist at the ARIA Music Awards of 1998.

In March 2001, Seymour released his second studio album, 'One Eyed Man', which peaked at #61 on the ARIA Charts and won Best Adult Contemporary Album at the ARIA Music Awards of 2001. In April 2004, Seymour released 'Embedded'. The album did not chart. In September 2005, Seymour released 'Daytime And the Dark', an album, featuring acoustic versions of mostly Hunters and Collectors songs. The album peaked at #99 on the ARIA Charts. In September 2007, Seymour released 'Titanic', a second album of acoustic versions of mostly Hunters and Collectors songs.

In 2011, Seymour formed and began recording and with a band again. The band, titled Mark Seymour and The Undertow released 'Undertow' in May 2011. In 2013, Mark Seymour and The Undertow released 'Seventh Heaven Club', an album which paid homage to love songs, featuring tracks by Bob Dylan, Dave Dobbyn, Otis Redding, Neil Young, Tom Petty and Lucinda Williams. Mark Seymour and The Undertow released the album 'Roll Back The Stone' on March 24, 2015. It was recorded live at Melbourne's Bakehouse Studios and featured 24 tracks from Seymour's back catalogue, stretching back to 1985, reinterpreted by The Undertow. In 2020, Seymour released his tenth studio album (and fourth as Mark Seymour and The Undertow), titled 'Slow Dawn'. In 2023, he collaborated with synthwave group September '87, providing lyrics and lead vocals to their track ''Room Service''. In 2024, Seymour's eleventh studio album The Boxer was released.

SINGLES
"Hey Boys" (#71) [with Paul Kelly] 1992 Picture This Records
"Last Ditch Cabaret" (#85) 1997 Mushroom
"The Ghost of Vainglory" 1997 Mushroom
"Home Again" 1998 Mushroom
"You Don't Have to Cry Anymore" 1998 Mushroom
"Do You Know Me?" 2001 Mushroom
"The Ballad of the One Eyed Man" 2001 Mushroom
"A Shoulder to Cry On" 2004 Liberation
"Westgate" 2007 Promising Records
"The Whole World Is Dreaming" 2020 Bloodlines
"The Whole World Is Dreaming" (live) [featuring Missy Higgins] 2021 
"Even When I'm Sleeping" 2023

ALBUMS
'King Without a Clue' (#53) 1997 Mushroom
'One Eyed Man' (#67) 2001 Mushroom
'Embedded' 2004 Liberation
'Daytime and the Dark' (#99) 2005 Liberation Blue
'Westgate' 2007 Liberation Blue
'Titanic' 2007 Liberation Blue
'Undertow' (#51) (credited to Mark Seymour & The Undertow) 2011 Liberation Blue
'Seventh Heaven Club' (credited to Mark Seymour & The Undertow) 2013 Liberation Blue 
'Mayday' (#43) (credited to Mark Seymour & The Undertow) 2015 Liberation Blue
'Slow Dawn' (credited to Mark Seymour & The Undertow) 2020 Bloodlines
'The Boxer' (#41) (credited to Mark Seymour & The Undertow) 2024 Bloodlines

References

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Seymour

DAMAGED

Damaged was an Australian deathgrind band from Ballarat active from 1989 to 2004. The band was formed by drummer Matt "Skitz" Sanders. Mat Silcock and Chris Hill were the two original guitarists, with bass player Jason Parker and singer James Ludbrook. The band's first demo, 'The Art of Destroying Life', appeared in 1992; the next year they released their first album, 'Do Not Spit' on Black Hole Records. In 1994 Damaged toured with Cannibal Corpse. Silcock left Damaged in 1996, and around the same time, due to a dispute with label Black Hole Records, Damaged disbanded. Hill joined Melbourne band Discordia; Sanders toured Europe as drummer with Sadistik Exekution and played in Abramelin.

The split only lasted a short time, since the band was approached by US label Rotten Records and offered a five-album deal. Reforming without Silcock, Damaged released their second album 'Token Remedies Research' and finished the year with a performance at the Metal For The Brain festival. Early the following year, the band toured Australia with Entombed but the reunion was almost cut short when Ludbrook was fired in the middle of a tour a few months later. Brendan Birge from the Melbourne death metal band Earth joined Damaged as Ludbrook's replacement after a brief stint by Chris Wallace but found the constant tensions within the group difficult and resigned in mid-1999. Parker also left and Damaged continued only as a recording project, with Sanders and Hill providing a track for the all-Australian double heavy metal CD 'Under the Southern Cross'.

Late in 1999, former Brutal Truth singer Kevin Sharp joined Damaged. In 2000 the album 'Purified in Pain' was released, featuring bass contributions by Terry Vainoras of Melbourne death metal band Order of Chaos. With Eddy Lacey of Melbourne thrash band, The Wolves filling in as the group's bass player, Damaged embarked on a national tour in December. Sharp's relationship with the band ended after this and Damaged went into hiatus for some time. Hill remained active as a member of a band called Running With Scissors and Sanders recorded an album entitled 'Lords of Eternity' with his black metal band Hellspawn.

With Parker returning to the line-up and ex-Uncle Chunk singer Dave Saddington on vocals, Damaged began playing live again in mid-2003. A short national tour was followed by supporting Sepultura's national tour; Damaged ended the year by headlining Metal for the Brain. Damaged played its final performances in January 2004. Citing a serious health condition, Sanders was unable to continue. In March 2004 Hill confirmed that Damaged had ended playing live with Sanders but may continue recording in the future.

Shortly after ending Damaged, Sanders joined a new hardcore band called Walk the Earth that featured Ludbrook and Superheist guitarist DW Norton. After an EP and a short spate of tours that included shows with Slipknot and Mudvayne, Ludbrook left, and the band folded in mid-2005. The singer quickly announced plans to reform Damaged with Sanders; however, in early 2006 the pair announced their new band would instead be called Terrorust. Terrorust has since released a full-length album, 'Post Mortal Archives'.

Members

Matt "Skitz" Sanders (drums, vocals), Jarrod Bongiorno (guitar), Jason "Mohawk" Parker (bass),
Paul Medic (guitar), Matt Silcock (guitar), Brendan Burge (vocals), James Ludbrook (bass, vocals), Chris "Hilly" Hill (guitar), Chris Wallace (vocals), Kevin Sharp (vocals), Terry Vainoras (bass), Eddie (bass), Dave Saddington (vocals), Jason Maggs (bass)

SINGLES
''Passive Backseat Demon Engines / Internal Dismemberment Conflicts / Extra Mild'' 1995 Black Hole 

EPs
'Passive Backseat Demon Engines' 1995 Black Hole

ALBUMS
'The Art Of Destroying Life' 1992 Girls Toilet Records
'Do Not Spit' 1993 Black Hole
'Token Remedies Research' 1997 Rotten Records
'Purified In Pain' 2000 Rotten Records

References

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damaged_%28band%29

DENIS WALTER

Denis Walter (born 3 January 1955) is an Australian radio presenter, singer, recording artist and media personality who also presented television news for 16 years. Walter's music career has lasted for fifty years. Walter was first seen on TV's Young Talent Time as a singer/entertainer. His debut album 'The Incredible Voice Of Denis Walter' was produced by Johnny Young in 1973. Over the years he released many singles and albums on a variety of record labels. His most successful album 'Through the Years' reached #11 on the album charts in 1992. Walter was awarded an Order of Australia Medal in the 2015 Queen's Birthday Honours list "for service to the performing arts as a singer and entertainer, and to the broadcast media.

SINGLES 
''The Impossible Dream (The Quest) / Someplace Green'' 1973 L&Y 
''Ghost Riders In The Sky / Was It Really You And Me'' 1974 Festival 
''Sorrow / Jean'' 1976 Festival 
''Let The Sailors Dance (Short Version) / Let The Sailors Dance'' 1977 Festival 
''In The Middle Of The Night / Stop And Go Love Affair'' 1978 Festival 
''Stop And Go Love Affair / Save Me'' 1981 RCA
''Right Here Right Now / In The Middle Of The Night'' 1981 RCA
''Through The Years / Sometimes'' 1982 RCA

''No Regrets / Hold Me'' 1992 Columbia
''The Ship Song / Merry Xmas From Our House To Yours'' 1993 Columbia

ALBUMS 
'The Incredible Voice Of Denis Walter' 1973 Truben Music
'Denis Walter By Request' 1974 Festival
'Denis Walter Live On Young Talent Time' 1975 L&Y
'Collections Of Denis Walter' (#66) 1977 Pisces
'Sometimes When We Touch' 1979 Hammard
'No Limits' 1981 RCA
'Tell It On The Mountain' 1989 J & B Records
''Through the Years'' (#11) 1992 Columbia

'What Kind Of Love' 1993 Columbia
'The Magic of Christmas' 1998 Fable
'All The Way' 2003
'Songs Of Faith' [with John with John] (#89) 1990 J & B Records
'This Land Is My Land' J & B Records
'Denis Walter'
'Songs from a Southern Land Vol. 1' 2011 Denis Walter
'The Aussie Christmas Gift' 2012 Denis Walter
'Yesterday Once More' '2021' Sony

 

References

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denis_Walter

ROSE BYGRAVE

Rose Bygrave (born 1955) grew up in Western Victoria and later attended art school in Ballarat and Melbourne. Her musical career began in 1979 (early band: The Salty Dogs). Bygrave was invited to join The Goanna Band, rising to prominence as keyboardist/vocalist alongside Shane Howard and Marcia Howard in the early '80s. The band recorded three albums and toured extensively, performing in some of the remotest areas of Australia and forging strong bonds with Aboriginal people and their culture. Their debut album 'Spirit of Place' won the ARIA Best Album of the Year, 1982, with "Solid Rock" winning Best Single of the Year. In 1986 she toured briefly playing reggae with Wendy Saddington with Mick Liber (ex-Python Lee Jackson) on guitar, Angelica Booth on bass, Javier Fredis on congas and Des McKenna on drums.

Bygrave issued a solo single, "Maybe Midnight" in June 1989 and commenced work on a solo album but nothing eventuated. Bygrave began performing solo in 1991 and has worked as a sought-after session musician. Goanna reprised with a fourth album, 'Spirit Returns', in 1998, on which Bygrave contributed three songs. The album was released at the Melbourne Concert Hall as part of the 1999 Melbourne International Festival Program. Between 1998-99 Bygrave was involved as a mentor in the Aboriginal Song Lines program, which fosters emerging indigenous musicians.

In mid-1999, Bygrave produced and released her first solo album 'White Bird'. Four of the songs were added to compilation CDs and America's Mollie O'Brien recorded one of the songs as well. In 2000 at the Woodford Folk Festival Bygrave was invited to be the soloist with the choir during the famous fire event. This was broadcast live to 1.5 billion people on a worldwide link via the BBC. In 2001 she released her second solo album 'Walking Home'. In 2002, Bygrave performed as the support act for Luka Bloom on his Australian National tour. In December that year she organised a major Benefit Concert called 'Bridges to Bali' to raise money for the Balinese victims of the terrorist attack.

From 2003 to 2004, she continued her work as a musical mentor/Artist in residence to troubled young people in regional Australia. She supported Dennis Locorriere and Paul Brady on their respective National Tours. Some of Bygrave's songs have also selected for use on various soundtracks. Bygrave's work is renowned for compassionate songwriting - reflecting on the land, love, and especially issues of indigenous and social justice - and her voice and musicianship are regarded as among the best in Australian contemporary folk. In 2009 she released a third solo album, 'North', which was released at the Port Fairy Folk Festival.

In 2011, Rose collaborated with long-time friend and Goanna Member Marcia Howard, to produce a CD called 'Pearl'. The CD was written and recorded by them at their respective home studios and once again launched at Port Fairy Folk Festival to capacity crowds. They continue to work together with Jon Emry Playing Drums, Isaac Barter- Bass and Matiss Schubert on Mandolin and Fiddle. In 2014 Bygrave wrote and arranged the anthemic song "Carry Memory", for a 60-piece choir from the Geelong region. This project culminated in a performance of the song at Sunset, to a large audience in the YouYang Mountains near Geelong, Victoria. The song was commissioned by The City of Greater Geelong as part of the Mouth2Mountain Song Lines inaugural community arts program directed by Meme McDonald. The song was recorded with the choir in 2014 as part of the soundtrack to that event.

In 2015 Bygrave was invited by longtime friend and legendary Aboriginal musician Bart Willoughby, to perform as part of his band on his 'We Still Live On' tour. The performance centred around Willoughby's exploration of his songs played by him on the Grand Organ. Rose contributed vocals and keyboards during this tour and backing vocals. Bygrave lives in Queenscliff, Victoria with her husband writer and poet Barry Hill.

SINGLES
''Maybe Midnight / Protection'' 1989 Mercury 

ALBUMS
'White Bird' 1999 Black Market
'Walking Home' 2001 Black Market
'North' 2009 Black Market 
'Pearl' [with Marcia Howard] 2011 – Independent MGM (2 June 2011)
'The Yabby Catcher' 2019

References

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rose_Bygrave

VANISHING POINT

Vanishing Point was formed in the early 1990’s with the lineup of guitarist Tommy Vucur, drummer Jack Lukic and bassist Joe Del Mastro, from an earlier band called Eye. Vocalist Silvio Massaro and keyboard player Pep Sammartino joined the band in the mid 90’s and the band changed its name to Vanishing Point. Soon after Andrew Whitehead joined as a second guitarist. Their first album 'In Thought' was recorded in 1996 and released in Europe by German label Angular Records in 1997. The following year it was re-issued in Australia by Melbourne label Metal Warriors. The re-issue featured a bonus track, ''Inner Peace'', which featured new guitarist Chris Porcianko, who replaced Andrew Whitehead.

In 1999, the band supported Yngwie Malmsteen before Pep Sammartino amicably left the band to pursue other avenues. He was replaced by Danny Olding. Soon afterward, Vanishing Point headed to Germany for the 2000 Wacken Open Air festival. Later that year the band’s second album 'Tangled In Dream' was released in Australia by Metal Warriors and internationally by Germany’s LMP label. The following eighteen months was a busy period for the band. In late 2001, Vanishing Point returned to Europe for a tour with Gamma Ray and Sonata Arctica, during which Olding provided live keyboards for Gamma Ray. Returning to Australia in 2002, they toured the country with German band Edguy.

Vanishing Point worked on their next album throughout 2003 before making a rare live appearance at the annual and prestigious, yet now defunct Metal For The Brain festival in Canberra. Leonard Kopilas from Manic Opera joined the band in place of Olding as recording continued, but Vanishing Point was forced into an involuntary hiatus due to ongoing differences with Metal Warriors. This led to Vanishing Point discontinuing their management with Metal Warriors. In 2005 the band returned for a live performance at Metal For The Brain, and then a show with Nightwish on the Melbourne leg of their Australian tour.

Their third album 'Embrace The Silence' was released mid-year internationally by their new label, Germany’s Dockyard 1 and in Australia by the Wollongong-based Riot! label. Late in the year, Joe Del Mastro announced his departure from Vanishing Point. After completing a final round of live shows with the band, he was replaced by Steve Cox from Melbourne hard rock band Teargas, and thrash metal band Black Like Vengeance.

In 2006, Vanishing Point supported Black Label Society and Gamma Ray on the Melbourne leg of their Australian tours. On December Jack Lukic announced his departure due to family commitments and was replaced by Adrian Alimic, also of Manic Opera and Christian Nativo took the place of Jack Lukic (on drums). Jake Lowe was enlisted to perform live keyboards, and in May 2007, Vanishing Point supported Dragon Force in Australia and New Zealand. The band’s fourth album 'The Fourth Season' was released on the 24th August 2007, through Dockyard 1. In February 2008 Vanishing Point supported Iron Maiden, performing a single show in Perth and two shows in Melbourne. Vanishing Point appeared alongside fellow Australian power metal band Black Majesty on tour with Helloween in February 2008.

In July 2008 Vanishing Point supported Joe Satriani for his two Melbourne shows. In late September 2008 Vanishing Point once again took off for Europe this time supporting good friends Sonata Arctica with Norway’s Pagan’s Mind, the tour was a success and the band played in many new countries where the band had never been to before. Vanishing Point returned home to Australia for a short break and then to fully concentrate on writing the follow up album to 'The Fourth Season'. Unfortunately, the writing process had hit a dead end with some members wanting to pursue different avenues musically. Eventually this led to a shift in band membership.

In 2010 co-founding member Tommy Vucur left the band due to musical differences. Adrian Alimic and Jake Lowe also departed the band in 2010. In 2011 Simon Best joined the band on bass, followed by Scott Griffith on guitar and in February the recording for the fifth album began. Progress was slower than the band anticipated with there being personal / family loss and Scott Griffith departed the band. In May 2012 Vanishing Point added James Maier as the new second guitar player, completing the lineup once again.

In February 2014, the band’s fifth album 'Distant Is The Sun' was released by AFM records. The first music video for the album ''When Truth Lies'' was released on the same day. In 2014, Vanishing Point have played shows in Melbourne and Adelaide as well as a tour in New Zealand. In November 2014, Vanishing Point undertook their first tour of Japan “Vanishing Point – Distance Is The Sun” visiting Hiroshima, Osaka, Nagoya, Fuji and Tokyo, supported by Rubicon Records.

The band faced many obstacles over the years with another shift of band members between 'Dead Elysium' and 'Distant Is The Sun' in which the latest album is a kind of reflection on the journey they had as a band and as individuals over the last few years. The epic title song ''Dead Elysium'' has heralded the new album on June 19th 2020, followed by a second single ''Salvus'', saturated in dark atmosphere and melody in which both will be accompanied by lyric videos. A new official energetic and symphonic videoclip/single named ''Count Your Days'' received great response from the loyal fans as well as new ones after the album release after all these years.

Members

Silvio Massaro (vocals), Chris Porcianko (guitar), Tommy Vucur (guitar), Joe del Mastro (bass), Jack Lukic (drums), Danny Olding (keyboards), Steve Cox (bass), Adrian Alimic (bass), Christian Nativo (drums), Jake Lowe (keyboards), Simon Best (bass), Pep Sammartino (keyboards), Andrew Whitehead (guitar), Scott Griffith (guitar), James Maier (guitar),

ALBUMS
'In Thought' 1997 Metal Warriors 
'Tangled In Dream' 2000 Metal Warriors
'Embrace The Silence' 2005 Surreal Records
'The Fourth Season' 2007 Surreal Records 
'Distant Is The Sun' 2014 Surreal Records 
'Dead Elysium' 2020 Octane Records 

References

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vanishing_Point_%28band%29

CHRIS ABRAHAMS

Christopher Robert Lionel Abrahams was born on 9 April 1961 in Oamaru, South Island, New Zealand. Abrahams, on keyboards, formed jazz group Benders, in 1980 in Sydney with Dale Barlow on tenor saxophone, Louis Burdett on drums and Lloyd Swanton on bass guitar. By the time Benders disbanded in 1985, Abrahams had performed on all three of their albums, 'E' (1983), 'False Laughter' (1984) and 'Distance' (1985). While still with Benders, late in 1983, he supplied piano for Laughing Clowns' second album, 'Law of Nature' (1984).

In 1985 he formed Sparklers, a dance pop group with Bill Bilson on drums (ex-Sunnyboys), Gerard Corben on guitar (ex-Lime Spiders), Ernie Finch on guitar and the Oxley siblings Melanie on lead vocals (ex-Sweet Nothings) and Peter on bass guitar (ex-Sunnyboys). Colin Bloxsom took over lead guitar by the following year. Sparklers released two singles, "Overworking" (October 1986) and "So Often Dreaming" (January 1987) before Abrahams left. The Sparklers issued their debut album, 'Persuasion', in 1988.

The Necks were formed as a jazz trio, in 1987, by Abrahams on piano, keyboards, organ and guitar with former band mate, Swanton, on bass guitar and double bass, and Tony Buck on drums, percussion and guitar (ex-Great White Noise). For his compositions with the group, he has won two APRA Awards (Australia) for Most Performed Jazz Work; "Drive By" in 2005 and "Mosquito" in 2006. As from March 2020 the trio have issued 16 studio albums. Australian musicologist, Ian McFarlane, described their sonation, "abstract, improvised, jazzy mood music''.

In 1989, while still with the Necks, Abrahams formed a soul pop duo, Melanie Oxley & Chris Abrahams, with former the Sparklers' band mate, Oxley. They released a four-track EP, 'Resisting Calm', via Spiral Scratch in late 1990. For that EP they used Abrahams' current and former band mates, Buck on drums, Swanton on acoustic bass guitar, Corben (ex-the Sparklers) on guitar as well as Mike Bukovsky on trumpet, Guy Dickerson on guitar, Stuart Eadie on floor toms and Jackie Orszaczky on bass guitar. While periodically collaborating with Abrahams, Oxley maintained her career as a schoolteacher.

The duo's first two albums, 'Welcome to Violet' (1992) and 'Coal' (1994), were released via Remote Records/MDS. They were labelled as, "moody, emotive soul/pop" works by McFarlane. Their next album, 'Jerusalem Bay' (1998), had Hamish Stuart on drums (ex-Ayers Rock, Wig World, the Catholics) and Mike Bukowski on trumpet (ex-Ten Part Invention). In 2001 the pair performed Abrahams' music for a radio travel documentary, South Island, which was broadcast by ABC Classic FM on 6 October 2003. It was created, narrated and produced by Abrahams with The Listening Room's Sherre DeLys.

Melanie Oxley & Chris Abrahams' next work, 'Blood Oranges', appeared in early 2003 via Remote Records/Vitamin Records. The Sydney Morning Herald's John Shand found, "his lyrics are often bleaker than their past work, it is not a despairing bleakness, but one bolstered by stoicism, wit, hope and a love of beauty." Jeremy Green of dB Magazine observed, "it is peculiarly ineffectual. It paws lazily at classic Motown pop but is totally sedated by dinky production and emotional primness."

Abrahams issued his debut solo album, 'Piano', in 1985 via Hot Records/Making Waves. It was recorded at Sydney Opera House's Recording Hall and mastered at Studios 301. Tony Mitchell of Cyclic Defrost described this album in 2017, "nine improvisations... it suggests a virtuoso pianist in the making." After leaving the Sparklers, in 1987, he issued his second studio album, 'Walk'.

His fifth solo album, 'Thrown' appeared in 2005 via Room40. Cyclic Defrost's Max Schaefer noticed, "Technically formidable and conceptually refined, [he] pays homage to the piano by drawing it into tightly articulated and highly personalized forms." Abrahams performed, produced and arranged the music for the Australian film, The Tender Hook (2008), which was released as the soundtrack album, 'The Tender Hook: Motion Picture Soundtrack'. At the 2008 Australian Film Institute Awards his work was nominated for Best Original Music Score.

'Play Scar' (2010), his seventh album, was reviewed by Oliver Laing of Cyclic Defrost, who declared, "it is the glorious sound of well-established artist willing to push the boundaries of sound and technique into new realms." His next effort, 'Memory Night' (2013), shows that "even at his most ominous is also quite listenable, creating jumbled, but still quite accessible soundscapes" according to 4ZZZ's Chris Cobroft.

Abrahams has worked as a session musician on albums by the Triffids (Born Sandy Devotional, 1986), Ed Kuepper (Rooms of the Magnificent, 1986; Honey Steel's Gold, 1991; This Is the Magic Mile, 2005), Skunkhour (Skunkhour, 1993), the Apartments (A Life Full of Farewells, 1995; Apart, 1997; In and Out of the Light, 2020), the Church (Magician Among the Spirits, 1996), the Whitlams (Eternal Nightcap, 1997; Torch the Moon, 2002), Silverchair (Neon Ballroom, 1999), Midnight Oil (The Real Thing, 2000) and Wendy Matthews (Beautiful View, 2001).

ALBUMS
'Piano' 1985 Hot
'Walk' 1987 Hot
'Welcome To Violet' [with Melanie Oxley] 1992 Remote Music
'Coal' [with Melanie Oxley] 1994 Remote Music
'Jerusalem Bay' [with Melanie Oxley] 1998 Remote Music
'Glow' 2001 Vegetable
'Blood Oranges' [with Melanie Oxley] 2003 Remote
'Artery' [with Jon Rose and Clayton Thomas] 2003 the now now
'Thrown' 2005 Room 40
'Oceanic Feeling Like' [with Mike Cooper] 2008 Room 40
'The Tender Hook Motion Picture Soundtrack' 2008 Vitamin
'Germ Studies' [with Clare Cooper] 2009 Splitrec
'Play Scar' 2010 Room 40
'None Of Them Remember It That Way' [with Lucio Capece] 2012 Mikroton
'We Who Had Left' [with Alessandro Bosetti] 2012 Mikroton
'Kopfuberwelle' [with Sabine Vogel] 2012 Absinthe
'Memory Night' 2013 Room 40
'Gardener' [with Magda Mayas] 2013 Relative Pitch
'Luv/Kopfuberwelle' [with Sabine Vogel] 2014 Another Timbre
'Fluid To The Influence' 2016 Room 40
'Climb' 2016 Vegetable
'Peggy' [with Jon Rose]

References

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Abrahams

SMOKY DAWSON

Smoky Dawson AM, MBE was born as Herbert Henry Brown in 1913 in Collingwood. In 1932 Smoky Dawson worked at a tannery and on weekends he played a lap steel guitar in a duo, The Coral Island Boys, with his younger brother, Ted, on Spanish guitar. Both sang lead vocals, with Ted's singing described by Dawson as "a much richer voice than mine. He had more depth in his voice". They performed then-popular songs, such as "Gee But I'm Lonesome for You Caroline" and "Southern Moon Keep on Shining". In 1934, Dawson formed a Western group with an accordionist, a bass guitarist, and violin, which cut a test acetate at Fidelity Records with Jack Murray recording. It was the first professional use of Dawson's nickname, "Smoky" – he had tried pipe smoking when living at Stewarton but it had sickened him. The recording led to sponsorship by Pepsodent – a toothpaste company – and so the group were named, Smoky and the Pepsodent Rangers. In 1935 they were the first Western group to be broadcast live on an Australian radio station, 3KZ, and by 1937 Dawson had his own radio show. His show was re-broadcast into New South Wales on 2CH as "Hill-billy Artists" by "Smoky" Dawson and His Boys. In 1941, he signed with Columbia Records, where he recorded his first commercial releases, including "I'm a Happy Go Lucky Cowhand" and "The Range in the Western Sky". He also toured around Australia.

Dawson had used music as a way of comforting himself and during World War II he took this talent to boost the morale of others. In 1939 upon the outbreak of the war he had attempted to enlist but was rejected on medical grounds for a bumpy heart. In 1940, with Smoky Dawson's Five-Star Rangers, he would perform at soldier's socials. In 1941 when the Japanese forces approached Australia, he enlisted as a non-combatant nursing orderly and was commandeered by the First Australian Army Entertainment Unit. On 13 March 1944, while still in the army, he married Florence "Dot" Cheers (12 October 1906 – 27 October 2010), an elocution teacher – they had met nine years earlier when both worked in radio. Western Mail's Louis Clark, described Dawson as an "Australian outback songster" and the unit as "an array of genius". Aside from music, Dawson would also perform at rodeos, circuses and country shows demonstrating his skill at knife-throwing using machetes, commando knives, tomahawks, or two-edged axes. By October 1949, Dawson had recorded about 60 tracks from his songbook of 280 tunes – all of them "have a cowboy setting—with a dash of romance". Dawson travelled around Australia for eight months a year while Dot remained behind as Auntie June on her own radio show for 3KZ.

In March 1951 Dawson, as a cowboy entertainer, narrated a documentary film, directed by Rudall Hayward, on Australian rough riders at a Kyabram rodeo, which was to be broadcast on United States TV.  Dawson sang a self-written song praising their skills and noted "there's nothing half-baked about Australian rodeos or the boys who ride in them. They're entitled to all the credit we can give them ... Rodeos and rough riders are just as much a part of our national heritage as symphonies and seascapes". In June that year Dawson and Dot travelled to the US where he played and recorded demos in Nashville. While in New Jersey, he took the role of Petruchio in a stage version of the musical, Kiss Me, Kate. His trip to the US was cut short after he was injured in a car crash in Chattanooga, Tennessee; while driving to Shreveport, Louisiana, for an invitation to appear on Louisiana Hayride hosted by Jim Reeves, Dawson absent-mindedly ran a red light and his car was hit by a Cadillac going the opposite direction; he was hospitalised and his appearance on Louisiana Hayride never eventuated. When Dawson returned to Australia in September 1952 he was hailed as an "Australian singing 'cowboy' who has made good in the US at the expense of the world's best". For trick riding his palomino horse, Flash (1951–1982), was bedecked in American-style tack rather than Australian. Flash lived to be 31 years old and Dawson supplemented his feed by giving him porridge with a spoon.

Echoing US singing cowboy, Roy Rogers, on 8 December 1952 Dawson starred in his own radio show, The Adventures of Smoky Dawson, which stayed on the air for ten years until 1962. At its peak, Dawson's show was broadcast on 69 stations across the country. Dot also had her own radio shows for children. A related comic book of the same name was published from 1953 to 1962 and both featured "Dawson's persona which became 'Australia's favourite cowboy', with his faithful sidekick Jingles, his horse Flash and their young friend Billy fighting the evil outlaw Grogan, adhering to Smoky's 'code of the west', pausing for a song, a moral and sometimes a bowl of cornflakes, courtesy of the program's sponsor". For the radio show Dawson provided "renditions of a magpie, kookaburra, rooster, turkey, pig, cow, an impatient horse, a posse with bloodhounds (with the bandit being shot), a pack of dogs fighting and next door's dog howling in the middle of the night". In 1957 he founded the Smoky Dawson Ranch on 26 acres (11 ha) farm at Ingleside as a venue to host country music shows, a horse riding school and a holiday camp for children.

Smoky Dawson continued his long career of recording and performing after his radio show and enjoyed performing until his death. His recording career spanned more than six decades, his last album, 'Homestead of My Dreams', was released in 2005. In 1978 Dawson was inducted into the Australian Roll of Renown. He has frequently been recognised for his contributions to music and entertainment. On 31 December 1982 Dawson was awarded an Order of the British Empire – Member (Civil) with the citation, "In recognition of service to country music". In 1985 he published his autobiography, Smoky Dawson: A Life. An updated and expanded addition was released in 2021. In the 1999 Australia Day Honours Dawson was made a Member of the Order of Australia with the citation, "In recognition of service to country music". In 2005 he was inducted into the Australian Record Industry Association Hall of Fame. In April 2007 he donated his first electric guitar to the Australian Stockman's Hall of Fame.

In his later years Smoky Dawson was diagnosed with arthritis, emphysema and two hernias. In June 2000 he was knocked down by a hit-and-run driver and had spinal injuries. As of 2004 he and Dot presented a radio show on 2NSB and lived in Lane Cove, New South Wales. Herbert Henry "Smoky" Dawson died on 13 February 2008 after a short illness, aged 94. He was survived by his wife, Florence "Dot" Dawson, an elocutionist, radio actress and presenter, who died on 27 October 2010 at 104 years of age. In a 2005 interview Dawson indicated how he would like to be remembered, "Ah well, just as Herb. Just as one who's tried his best, he's carried out, lover of his country and always thought about the good things in life. Being honest and true to yourself, the main thing, true to yourself. And ah, I think to be remembered as an old friend".

SINGLES

''I'm A Happy-Go-Lucky Cowhand / Will I Meet Old Faithful Up Yonder'' 1941 Regal Zonophone
''The Old Log Cabin On The Mountain Trail / The Sound Effects Cowboy'' 1941 Regal Zonophone''Cob The Corn / Never Been To Gundagai'' 1942 Regal Zonophone
''Just A Sprig Of Golden Wattle / Where The Waterfall Leaps In The Gully'' 1945 Regal Zonophone
'' Ridin' Down The Dream Trail / Yearning For "Over Range" 1945 Regal Zonophone
''Cowboys Round-Up Song / You Left Me And Now I Feel Blue'' 1945 Regal Zonophone
''New Wabash Cannon Ball / Hills Of The Golden West'' 1952 Regal Zonophone
''The Man From Never Never / Smoky {That Wild Stallion Grand}'' 1952 Regal Zonophone
''The Wild Colonial Boy / Starlight Rides Again'' 1952 Regal Zonophone
''On The Murray Valley / Cullenbenbong'' 1953 Regal Zonophone
'' Riding With A Smile And A Song / Jindawarrabell'' 1954 Regal Zonophone
'' Mr. Moon /Unwanted Sign Upon Your Heart'' 1954 Regal Zonophone
''Grannie's Song At Twilight / The Ghost Of Ben Hall'' 1958 Columbia
''Call Me Back Pal O' Mine / Treasure'' 1958 Columbia
''I'm Lonesome For You, Caroline / Friendship (Golden Friendship)'' 1959 Columbia
''Only A Leaf / Be Careful'' Columbia 1959
''Fire Fighting Man / Fierce Red Steer'' 1978
''The Out-House Down The Back / The Dingo'' ATA 1983
''John Durack / Hero From The West'' ATA 1983
''Days Of Old Khancoban / The Last Of The Old Wild West Shows'' [with Trevor Knight] 1987 Jade
''High Country / Farewell To A Bush Boy'' [with Trevor Knight] 1988 EMI
'' The Bombs Fell Down On Darwin / The Lad With The Laughing Eyes'' [with Trevor Knight] 1989 EMI
''Old Soldiers Never Forget / Memories Of Pinnibar'' [with Tony Taunton, The Howie Bros] 1987 Jade

ALBUMS
'Bushranger Ballads and Australian Outback Songs' 1961 Columbia 
'The Smoky Dawson Story' 1963 Festival
'Back at the Ranch' 1973 Columbia
'Smoky - 20 Western Favourites' 1976 Dyna House
Ya Darn Right It's Country' 1980 RCA
'I'll Paint You A Song' 1984 Powderworks
' High Country' [with Trevor Knight] 1988 EMI
'On The Road To Anywhere' 1990
Adventures of Smoky Dawson 2001 SD Music
'Smoky Dawson With The Howie Brothers' Glenample 2005
'Homestead Of My Dreams' 2005 Origin

References

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smoky_Dawson

LISA MILLER

Lisa Miller is an Australian singer/songwriter known for her clear, bitter-sweet voice and poignant semi-biographical songs. Miller grew up in the Melbourne suburb of Chadstone, the daughter of social realist painter Peter Miller. Her elder brother Lewis Miller is also a painter and won the 1998 Archibald Prize. She started writing songs at fourteen and has memories of being in a folk music duo with a friend: "I played flute, she played guitar and sang, and we wore matching paisley dresses that went to the floor, and played at coffee houses where people drank hot chocolates with marshmallows."

Her first serious musical outing was as vocalist of the rock group The Hepeleptics in the 1980s, while working as a secondary school teacher. She then became vocalist and rhythm guitarist for The Whole Shebang. In 1989 she took an extended trip to the US to see friends and hear as much music as possible in legendary locations (Memphis, Nashville, Austin, New Orleans, San Francisco). She returned to Melbourne and formed her own roots rock band, The Trailblazers (later known as Truckasaurus) with Mark Ferrie (ex-Models and Sacred Cowboys). They favoured original material by Miller or Ferrie. She also sang in the trio The Everlovin' O'Sheas. Of these early ventures only The Whole Shebang and Truckasaurus issued any recordings.

In 1995 Miller released two EPs on the In'Law label as a solo artist: 'Do That For You' and 'All Worked Out'. Her debut album, 'Quiet Girl with a Credit Card', followed in 1996 on the W.Minc label. It was also issued in the UK on Demon Records, to date her only release outside of Australia. It was three years until her second album, 'As Far as a Life Goes', which also appeared on the W.Minc label but released by the now defunct Festival Mushroom Records. She was nominated that year for the Best Female Artist ARIA Award – a notable achievement for an artist with no commercial radio airplay.

After sorting out troubles with her record companies, Miller released an album of cover versions in 2002 for the fledgling Melbourne label Raoul Records (run by her husband Ben Lempriere). The album, 'Car Tape', found Miller in a country-soul vein and was a critical success. As on earlier recordings, Miller's choice of cover songs leant heavily towards cult US male singer/songwriters such as Doug Sahm and Townes Van Zandt. Miller's profile – while still small outside Melbourne's inner-city suburbs – began to grow. A new backing band contained seasoned session musicians, she received multiple ARIA nominations, and 'Car Tape' went on to be one of the best-selling Australian independent releases of 2002. In 2003 she released her fourth album, 'Version Originale', a CD of original compositions, that was also warmly received by critics.

With her band (featuring guitarist and producer Shane O'Mara), Miller has been a sporadic live performer in and around Melbourne, with forays up the east coast of Australia, including the Byron Bay Blues Festival. She has played with Billy Bragg and toured Australia with Neil Young and Nick Cave. She has also appeared on recordings by Australian musicians David McComb, Tim Rogers, Tex Perkins, Andy Baylor, Barb Waters, Doug Mansfield, Amanda Brown of The Go-Betweens and David Chesworth. At one time she was managed by the late Mick Geyer (close associate of Nick Cave) but is now self-managed.

In 2004 Miller released the EP, 'Pushover', which features five songs recorded live on the 2003 Neil Young tour. She was again nominated in the Best Female Artist category at the 2004 ARIA Awards, at which – once again – she was beaten by Kasey Chambers. Miller collaborated with composer Amanda Brown on a number of songs for the award-winning film Look Both Ways but only one song (entitled "Eleven") made the final selection.

In 2005 she recorded a version of the Split Enz song "I Hope I Never" for 'She Will Have Her Way', a tribute album of female Australian and New Zealand artists performing the works of Tim and Neil Finn. This album was nominated for a 2006 ARIA award under "Best Adult Contemporary Artist". Her fifth album 'Morning in the Bowl of Night' was released in March 2007, many of the songs focussing on the death of Miller's mother. In early 2008 'Morning in the Bowl of Night' was shortlisted for the prestigious Australian Music Prize.

SINGLES
''Do That For You'' 1995 In-Law Records
''Rule #1 (Never Trust A Man)'' 1999 W. Minc
''Wipe The Floor'' 1999 W.Minc 

EPs
'Do That for You' 1995 In-Law Records
'All Worked Out' 1995 In-Law Records

'Hang My Head' 1996 W.Minc
'Pushover' 2004 Raoul Records

ALBUMS
'Quiet Girl with a Credit Card' 1996 W. Minc
'As Far as a Life Goes' 1999 W. Minc 
'Car Tape' 2002 Raoul Records 
'Version Originale' 2003 Raoul Records
'Morning in the Bowl of Night' 2007 Raoul Records
'Car Tape 2' 2010 Raoul Records
'Meet the Misses' 2012 Raoul Records 

References

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lisa_Miller_(singer-songwriter)