Monthly Archives: July 2014

HARRY MANX (CANADA) WITH CLAYTON DOLEY

Thur 31st July – Harry Manx (Canada)
With Clayton Doley
The ‘Om Suite Ohm’ Australian Tour
Support Francesca Sidoti
KATOOMBA RSL CLUB
86 Lurline St, Katoomba, Blue Mountains, Australia

Canadian bluesman Harry Manx returns to Australia in July/August for a series of intimate shows.
Joining Harry onstage will be multi-award winning keyboardist Clayton Doley.

Harry forged his distinctive style by studying at the feet of the masters, first as a sound man in the blues clubs of Toronto during his formative years and then under a rigorous tutelage with Vishwa Mohan Bhatt in India. Bhatt is the inventor of the 20-stringed Mohan Veena, which has become Harry’s signature instrument.
Harry played slide guitar for many years before meeting Bhatt in Rajasthan, in fact he had been living in another part of India for many years already, but he started at the beginning under Bhatt’s tutelage, unlearning most of what he knew about playing a slide instrument. He learned Eastern scales and eventually ragas, deceptively complex and regimented musical patterns that form the basis of Indian composition. Learning the voicing of Indian music is a subtle art that comes with time. Harry spent most of twelve years in India learning that. It was later on that Harry decided to explore the connection between Indian ragas and blues scales which eventually led to the Indo-blues hybrid that has become his style.

Born on the Isle of Man, Manx immigrated to Ontario with his parents when he was a child. He started working with bands as a ‘roadie’ at age 15 and gradually worked his way up to becoming the regular sound man at the well-known El Mocambo (blues) club in Toronto. There he worked with a slew of blues legends. Harry admits that blues is still at the heart of much of his work. “I’ve always had one foot in the blues from those days … what I got from those artists is a groove. That’s what I’m particularly interested in is the groove, and that’s the way I play blues”.
“I went to Europe when I was 20 and started making money as a busker,” recalls Manx. “I’ve worked mostly as a musician since then, though I did some theatre work for a while. I was a one-man band with a drums and a cymbals for a time too. It was really a lot of fun”

Manx’s time in India has imbued his music with an intangible spiritual quality. “the song reveals who you are, it’s the vehicle for your message, your inspirational ideas or your story,” explained Manx. “Like many people I’m interested in my own development as a person and that’s represented in my songs, I’m searching for truth through art and spirituality. My songs are a synthesis of everything I’ve absorbed, all my experiences and I share that. I’m glad that it means something to people.” “Indian music moves a person inward,” he explains. “It’s traditionally used in religious ceremonies and during meditations because it puts you into this whole other place (now, here). But Western music has the ability to move you outward, into celebration and dance. There are some ragas that sound bluesy, and there are ways to bend strings while playing blues that sound Indian. I may be forcing the relationship between the two musical cultures, but I keep thinking they were made for each other. That leads me to more and more experimentation. The journey has been great so far.”

Manx is a prolific artist, releasing 12 albums in a 12 year span with no signs of stopping. He has received seven Maple Blues Awards, six Juno nominations, the Canadian Folk Music Award in 2005 for Best Solo Artist and won CBC Radio’s “Great Canadian Blues Award” in 2007. His most recent original release, “Om Suite Ohm” was voted by the Montreal daily La Presse as one of only 4 CDs to watch for this in 2013. Guitar Player Magazine called it “his most fully realized work to date”.

Blending Indian folk melodies with slide guitar blues; adding a sprinkle of gospel and some compelling grooves, that’s the sound that Harry lays down. It goes down easy and leaves you hungry for more.

www.harrymanx.com

Clayton Doley is Australia’s finest Hammond organist and is quickly gaining international recognition as one of the top new players on the world stage. His fiery bluesy virtuosity has earned him spots on on some of the world’s biggest festivals including Montreal International Jazz Festival, Byron Bay Blues Festival, Toronto Jazz Festival and Tremblant International Blues Festival to name a few.

www.claytondoley.com

Special guest for the evening with be local artists Francesca Sidoti.
Raised on folk, country and blues (a mix designed to handicap her in the playground), Francesca has a live act that gets talked about.
Playing accordion-addicted retro pop, her debut album ‘Bright City Light Fool’ was released in August 2010, and has since had two songs shortlisted in the ASA Songwriting Awards and #3 ranking on the folk and pop charts of AMRAP.
“a dulcet voice and whimsical lyrics”, Rave Magazine, Brisbane.
“smiles and laughter” Drum Media, Sydney.

www.francescasidoti.com

Doors Open 7pm. Support starts 7:30pm.
This is a theatre style seated show – seats are not allocated.

Tickets on sale at the Club Box Office Now!
$40 EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT pre-sale price OR $45 on the day from the Club Box Office – Thur 31st July 2014.
OR Purchase online for $44.00 including booking fee by clicking this direct link:
www.moshtix.com.au/v2/event/harry-manx-at-katoomba-rsl/71871
Or with credit card by phoning Moshtix on 1300 GET TIX / 1300 438 849

SALT – SOMETHING LIKE THAT

Sat 26th July 2014
SaLT – Something Like That
KATOOMBA RSL CLUB
86 Lurline St, Katoomba, Blue Mountains, Australia

SaLT is a cover band from the Blue Mountains covering a range of artists from the 60’s through the 80’s through to modern day.

Whatever your taste, from Adele to Abba to Elvis, from Crowded House to Dire Straits to Fleetwood Mac, SaLT will get you singing and dancing the night away.

www.reverbnation.com/saltsomethinglikethat

FREE ENTRY!
Music from 8:30pm-late

SYDNEY COMEDY FESTIVAL SHOWCASE 2014

Sat 12th July 2014
The Sydney Comedy Festival 2014 Showcase
KATOOMBA RSL CLUB
86 Lurline St, Katoomba, Blue Mountains, Australia

The Sydney Comedy Festival is back on the road with an awesome line-up of the hottest international and local comedians from the 2014 Festival!

The funniest and freshest acts of Sydney’s biggest annual comedy event are hand-picked and squeezed into one hilarious night of world-class comedy, and the best news is it is delivered straight to your doorstep!

The inaugural Sydney Comedy Festival Showcase brought the laughs to all corners of regional NSW and QLD leaving an audience of over 10 000 in stitches!

With more than 40 regional towns spread over 22 weeks in the 2014 schedule, this year’s Showcase Tour is expected to reach over 20,000 comedy fans.

The Showcase heads to the mountains, hitting the stage at Katoomba RSL, on Saturday 12 July and features a killer line-up of award winning and box office smashing artists from all over Australia.

Highlights from the Showcase will include the low-fi com-rock superstars Smart Casual, the shambolically charming John Conway, the sharp-tongued black comedy of Rhys Nicholson, the effortlessly cool Dave Williams, the delightfully funny Jacques Barrett and the brilliantly understated John Cruckshank.

Guiding you through this killer line-up will be host Cam Knight, a stellar comedian whose flights of fancy are sure to keep you on your toes!

“A very lucky audience was brought to tears, to fits of laughter courtesy of the Sydney Comedy Festival Showcase…” (AU Review)

www.sydneycomedyfest.com.au

Jacques Barrett
A crowd favourite on the Australian club and festival circuit, Jacques has become a bona-fide
Headliner, known for his ability to adapt to the crowd and throw consistently sharp, relentless comedy blows. Jacques weaves character renditions into social commentary with strong performance skills and well-written material, resulting in some poignant comedy. He leaves crowds thinking and laughing long after the curtains have closed.

“Pretty damn impressive.” 4 stars -Time Out
“Jacques is an exceptionally gifted young stand-up, with roguish charisma and an obviously sharp intellect.” – Inpress
“Clever…. a genuine talent” – Herald Sun

David Williams
David Williams is the James Bond of comedy. Sharp, witty and charismatic – Dave has been working in comedy for over 15 years throughout Australia and the U.K and winning awards ever since he started.
Known for his theatrical physicality and tendency to improvise, David’s constant high standard means he will continue to work alongside the world’s best.

“Brings the house down…” – USA Today

Smart Casual
Best known for their hit song, The Hawk, about the imagined love story of supermodel Jennifer Hawkins and scientist Stephen Hawkings, Smart Casual is Roger David (on guitar) and Fletcher Jones (on beard), arguably Australia’s smartest, most casual musical comedy duo.

Regular Headliners across the country, their witty ditties and beautiful harmonised low-fi com-rock classics have seen Smart Casual become one of the most in demand comedy acts in Australia.

“Immediately likeable. Aussie laconic humour is alive and well.” – The Age
“Exceptionally clever and well executed… destined for big things.” – Buzzcuts

Rhys Nicholson
Rhys is known for his spine tinglingly stylish black comedy. Brilliantly irreverent and unapologetic, his unique brand of wry humour and sardonic wit combined with a complete lack of self-censorship make for hilarious social commentary. He is coming off the back of a sold out Comedy Festival season, he has supported the likes of Louis CK (USA), Kathy Griffin (USA), Greg Fleet, Jim Jefferies and Wil Anderson but is best known for his appearances on the Comedy Channel’s ‘Balls of Steel’, and big hair.

Winner Best Newcomer 2012 Sydney Comedy Festival
Winner Joke of the Fest 2013 Sydney Comedy Festival

“Razor sharp, corrosive wit.” – Sydney Morning Herald

John Conway
Comedian and humourist John Conway entertains audiences and critics alike with his delightfully honed shambolic style. Nominated for the Best Comedy (Barry) award at the 2013 Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Conway is set to take the comedy world by storm.

Nominee Best Comedy (Barry) Award
– 2013 Melbourne International Comedy Festival

‘Demented, in a wonderful way’ – The Age

John Cruckshank
A brilliant young comedian finding an original stride, John is making huge waves on the national comedy circuit with his clever sharp and well-paced jokes. His laid back approach sucks you in followed up by repeated roundhouse kicks banging out the laughs.

“His unassuming presence and brutal honesty make for continuous laughs” – Herald Sun

Cam Knight (MC)
Cam Knight’s fast one-liners and wickedly absurd flights of fancy almost take you by surprise with their brilliance.
Cam is a 100 percenter. Lives large, lives in the now. He never says no. Except to liquorice. And don’t try to hide it smothered in chocolate. It’s not a delicious treat.

“Will have you in stitches from the firsts minute right until the last.” -The Advertiser 2014
“Knight has mastered his art will. Brutally funny.. Not to be missed.” – Herald Sun

With this cavalcade of comedians that will tickle everyone’s funny bone, this is the best value ticket in town, so don’t miss out!

Tickets on sale at the Club Box Office Now!
Available at the Club Box Office for $25 pre-sale OR $30 on the day – Sat 12th July 2014.
OR Purchase online for $28.60 including booking fee by clicking this direct link:
http://www.moshtix.com.au/v2/event/sydney-comedy-festival-showcase-2014-at-katoomba-rsl/70002
Or with credit card online or by phoning Moshtix on 1300 GET TIX / 1300 438 849

Doors Open 7pm. Show Starts 8pm.
This is a theatre style seated show – seats are not allocated.

A GIRL’S A GUN (EP LAUNCH) + EDDIE BOYD & THE PHATAPILLARS

SAT 5th July 2014 – FREE ENTRY!
A Girl’s A Gun (EP Launch) + Eddie Boyd & The Phatapillars
KATOOMBA RSL CLUB
86 Lurline St, Katoomba, Blue Mountains, Australia

An awesome evening of Dynamic Blues, Roots & Rock!

A Girl’s a Gun – Loaded and Ready to Go Off.

Taking to the Katoomba RSL stage again will be rock n’ roll powerhouse A Girl’s a Gun. With a sound that is sexy, fuzzy, and full of the blues, A Girl’s a Gun have been bringing their foot stomping and hip shaking rhythms to the stage since 2011.
Prepare yourself for huge vocals, twin guitars, big riffs, spaghetti western, Texas blues, thumping beats and fat bottom end.

A Girl’s a Gun are a rock and roll band, with a sound coming out of the same Southern Rock soup that most likely influenced the Stones while they were busy influencing The Black Crowes.

When it comes to A Girl’s a Gun the girl in question is lead vocalist Lucia Neville ‘Chi’ who fronts the band with a huge rock voice that just doesn’t stop. Chi has the kind of voice that would win reality TV talent competitions, if she was bothered enough to enter.

In 2013 A Girl’s A Gun released their first single ‘No Decisions’ to great response from their burgeoning fan base. The track featuring a heart-thumping Motown groove and the tasty addition of keyboard by Mark O’Connor (Wendy Mathews and James Reyne’s bands).

This show will see them celebrating the launch of their latest single “More Than A Wink” (now available at www.agirlsagunmusic.bandcamp.com

“Look out for A Girl’s A Gun. They are the next generation Led Zep/Black Crowes… and Lucia Neville ‘Chi’… WHAT A VOICE… wooohhh”
– Peter Northcote

‘Foot stomping and hip shaking… …after listening to this debut effort, I’m left keen to see the band live.’
– Rock Pit – Will Holland

“Lucia has a voice that could give Robert Plant a Movement”
-Marshall Okell

www.agirlsagun.com

Joining the line up for this night are Eddie Boyd & The Phatapillars – a trio of mountain men – Sydney Blue Mountains men actually – and while not actually hillbillies, the barefoot, front porch, banjo pickin’, pig squealin’ feeling seems to have been passed down to them somehow.

The band has managed to mash the hillbilly vibe together with the sounds of Led Zeppelin, Nirvana, The White Stripes and everything else an Aussie bloke born in the 90’s is likely to have come across in his travels. The resulting sound is riff-driven, quite removed from the musings of the current apprentices of Australian roots music. They maintain a folky edge and deliver it all with wild abandon, passion and plenty of decibels.

Eddie Boyd started playing ukulele at age two and met fellow Phatapillars Andy and Alex when they all landed in a punk band together in year 9. Skip forward to 2012 and Eddie heads to Byron Bay to take part in the hotly contested Bluesfest Busking Competition. He wins himself a spot at the festival and calls his old band mates to come play with him. They needed a name quickly, made a few spelling mistakes in their haste, and Eddie Boyd & The Phatapillars kicked off.

Eddie writes and plays from the heart, absolutely shreds on the acoustic guitar, and delivers it all with a huge vocal range with just the right amount of gravel. The rhythm section are truly amongst the tightest of any young band touring the country at the moment, and with each new performance The Phatapillars are gaining a family of loyal devotees along their way.

Eddie Boyd & The Phatapillars have just inked a management deal with Rhythm Section Management, the team behind blues and roots stalwarts Chase The Sun and Claude Hay amongst others, and the band are planning a big 2014 of recording, touring, sleeping on the beach, breaking down in the van and generally living out the lyrics of ACDC’s ‘Long Way To The Top’.

They’ve landed themselves some pretty cool festival appearances so far, including The Sydney Blues and Roots Festival and The Dirty Roots Festival in Wollongong, as well as the aforementioned show at Bluesfest in Byron. The band has headlined successful shows in Sydney and surrounds and has made some inroads into touring the East Coast including supports with stablemates Chase The Sun, Marshall Okell and Cass Eager.

www.eddieboydmusic.com
www.facebook.com/eddieboydandthephatapillars

FREE ENTRY!
Music from 8:30pm-Late