This Merry Christmas announcement has something in it for everyone and there is nothing like some jolly Bluesfest Christmas cheer! Just in time for the festive season and wrapping up another incredible year, the 27th Bluesfest Byron Bay, held over Easter (Thu 24 March – Mon 28 March 2016), at its exclusive event site (the lush 300 acre Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm just outside of Byron Bay), releases another artist announcement, full of musical gifts brought to you by artists from overseas and Australia.
Washington State’s Modest Mouse will be making their Bluesfest debut in 2016 off the back of releasing their first album in eight years in 2015, the chart topping Strangers to Ourselves which peaked at No. 1 on Billboard’s TOP ROCK Album Chart, No.3 on the Billboard 200 and No. 15 on the Australian ARIA Chart. The lead single from the album ‘Lampshades on Fire’ peaked at No. 1 on the US Billboard Alternative Songs Chart and No. 2 on the US Billboard Rock Airplay Chart.
The Indie Rock stalwarts played a key part in turning the Pacific Northwest in the US into fertile ground for Indie acts including Death Cab for Cutie and the Shins. Their music is said to be influenced by groups such as Pavement , the Pixies and Talking Heads and over their 20+ year career, Modest Mouse are responsible for bringing us hits such as ‘Float On’, ‘Dashboard’ and ‘Ocean Breathes Salty’.
Modest Mouse join The National, City and Colour, Cold War Kids, Houndmouth and fellow Pacific Northwest band The Decemberists in giving Bluesfest a great Indie Rock presence in 2016.
Also topping this Merry Announcement is British singer-songwriter Graham Nash, a pivotal and founding member of one of the UK’s most successful Pop groups, The Hollies, and now of supergroup Crosby, Stills and Nash. He has also won a Grammy Award, is a two-time Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee, an award-winning visual artist and photographer, a New York Times Best Selling author, and was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth. His songs include ‘Our House’, ‘Immigration Man’, ‘Chicago’, ‘Woodstock’, ‘Look Through Any Window’,‘Carrie Anne’, and ‘Teach Your Children’ to name just a few.
Graham Nash’s rich vocals and harmonies have shaped a generation of Folk, Country and Pop music and in a career spanning over fifty years, Graham Nash has explored and created a diverse catalogue covering Pop, Rock, Folk, Jazz, Blues, Psychedelia and Progressive Rock and is one of the most distinctive vocalists and prolific songwriters of a generation.
One of the most exciting artists of 2015, LA’s Kamasi Washington is coming to Bluesfest with his band. He is a Jazz composer, performer, band leader, pianist, drummer, saxophonist, and the list goes on.
The Jazz giant not only created his own album in 2015 The Epic, which peaked at No. 5 on the US Billboard Jazz Chart ,No.6 on the US Billboard Heatseekers Chart and The New York Times gave it the No. 1 spot on their Best Albums of 2015 list, he also spends his time working on various albums and movie scores and is responsible for much of the arrangement of fellow Bluesfest performer Kendrick Lamar’s Grammy nominated To Pimp A Butterfly.
Richard Clapton, one of Australia’s foremost singer-songwriters, who’s hits include ‘Girls on the Avenue’, ‘The Best Years of Our Lives’, ‘I Am an Island’, ‘Capricorn Dancer’ and ‘(Down in the) Lucky Country’ has been announced for Bluesfest 2016. Richard Clapton is now in his 40th year, since his first album, Prussian Blue but shows no signs of slowing down. He has released over 20 albums which have cumulatively sold over one million copies. Early albums, including Girls on the Avenue and Goodbye Tiger, have made him a household name in Australia and in 1999 he was inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame. Bluesfest audiences can look forward to Richard performing his heartfelt ode to Byron Bay, ‘Blue Bay Blues’ at Bluesfest.
Also included in this announcement is the sassy star on the rise Elle King, who’s musical style encompasses Country, Soul, Folk, Rock, and Blues and is bound to be a festival favourite in 2016.
Elle King has just been nominated for two 2016 Grammy Awards for Best Rock Song and Best Rock Performance for her hit ‘Ex’s & Oh’s’, the song also spent three weeks on the No. 1 spot in the Billboard Alternative Charts and hit the top 10 of Billboard Hot 100. She also made the No.2 spot on Billboard’s Top New Rock Artist of 2015 list, the only female artist to do so.
Another inclusion in this Bluesfest Christmas cracker of an announcement is one of Australia’s favourite artists, Ash Grunwald, bringing his incomparable blend of Roots, Blues, beats and a whole lotta Groove. The prolific bluesman released his ninth studio album earlier in 2015, titled NOW and will be coming to Bluesfest with an all-star band.
The next musical gift coming to Bluesfest is Blues man Jerron “Blind Boy” Paxton on his first Australian tour. Only in his 20’s, this multi-instrumentalist Blues musician and vocalist sings and plays banjo, guitar, piano, fiddle, harmonica, Cajun accordion, and the bones (percussion). His musical influences are mainly rooted in the early Blues from the 1920′s and 30′s and he transforms traditional Jazz, Blues, Folk, and Country into the here and now, and makes it real.
International Globe-trotter Dustin Thomas will be bringing his beat-box, Soul Folk to Bluesfest 2016. Armed with a voice, a guitar and universal anthems of faith, love, and war; Dustin continues to inspire hearts around the world on his mission of music, joy, and peace. Dustin last came to Australia touring as a member of Nahko and Medicine For The People and it is a pleasure to welcome him back to Bluesfest in his solo debut.
Ross Ward, front man for Wards Xpress made his first appearance at Bluesfest in 1995, and twenty years later his love of the Blues is still strong. In July 2015, Wards Xpress celebrated their 20th anniversary by releasing The Back Roadsretrospective album. It hit the No. 1 position on the Australian Blues & Roots Airplay Chart and stayed there for the next three months, giving the band their second consecutive No. 1, after the success of 2012’s Five Lanes.
Bluesfest audiences won’t be able to sit down when they get a surprising and sensational performance from Singapore’s Raw Earth in 2016. Raw Earth is made up of a stellar line-up consisting of some of Singapore’s best Blues and Rock musicians. They perform a wide array of old school music styles from the 50s to 70s such as Blues, Rock and Roll, Funk, Soul and even some classic Blues Rock.
THE LATEST BLUESFEST 2016 ARTIST ANNOUNCEMENT INCLUDES:
MODEST MOUSE
GRAHAM NASH
KAMASI WASHINGTON
RICHARD CLAPTON
ELLE KING
ASH GRUNWALD
BLIND BOY PAXTON
DUSTIN THOMAS
WARDS XPRESS
RAW EARTH
2016 BLUESFEST ARTISTS ALREADY ANNOUNCED
KENDRICK LAMAR
BRIAN WILSON performs ‘PET SOUNDS’ and his Greatest Hits
TOM JONES • THE NATIONAL • D’ANGELO
NOEL GALLAGHER’S HIGH FLYING BIRDS
UB40 feat. ALI CAMPBELL, ASTRO & MICKEY VIRTUE
JOE BONAMASSA • TEDESCHI TRUCKS BAND
DON MCLEAN • JACKSON BROWNE • MELISSA ETHERIDGE
CITY AND COLOUR • THE DECEMBERISTS
THE ORIGINAL BLUES BROTHERS BAND
THE CAT EMPIRE • JASON ISBELL • TAJ MAHAL (SOLO)
TWEEDY • STURGILL SIMPSON • ARCHIE ROACH
STEVE EARLE AND THE DUKES • COLD WAR KIDS • HIATUS KAIYOTE
THE RESIDENTS present SHADOWLAND
RUSSELL MORRIS • JEFF MARTIN (THE TEA PARTY)
BLIND BOYS OF ALABAMA • THE WORD • TEX PERKINS & THE APE
GRACE POTTER • LORD HURON
VINTAGE TROUBLE • BLACKBERRY SMOKE
NATHANIEL RATELIFF & THE NIGHT SWEATS
NAHKO AND MEDICINE FOR THE PEOPLE
SONGHOY BLUES • SHAKEY GRAVES • ALLEN STONE
ST. PAUL AND THE BROKEN BONES
LUKAS NELSON AND PROMISE OF THE REAL
THE SELECTER • RHIANNON GIDDENS
HOUNDMOUTH • FANTASTIC NEGRITO • CON BRIO
JANIVA MAGNESS • SHOOGLENIFTY • KALEO
MIKE LOVE • THE BROS. LANDRETH • KIM CHURCHILL
THE MASTERSONS • HUSSY HICKS • STEVE SMYTH • EAST JOURNEY
MOJO JUJU • PIERCE BROTHERS
LUCKY PETERSON • HARTS • EMDEE
THE WAILERS
BOOMERANG
DANCE – MUSIC – HEALING
TALK & IDEAS
All 5, 3 & 1 day festival and camping tickets are on sale through www.bluesfest.com.au or phone the office on 02 6685 8310
Tickets are also available through Moshtix www.moshtix.com.auand Ticketmaster www.ticketmaster.com.au
ARTIST BIOS
MODEST MOUSE
“They make a peculiar brand of existential folk poetry, one that combines singer-guitarist Isaac Brock’s desperately uneasy vocals with off-kilter arrangements, creating something strangely catchy.” – Rolling Stone
Indie Rockers Modest Mouse, who recently released a No.1 album, their first release in eight years in 2015, will be returning to Australia for the first time in five years for their Bluesfest debut in 2016.
Their latest album Strangers to Ourselves peaked at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Rock Album Chart, No.3 on the Billboard 200 and No. 15 on the Australian ARIA Chart. The album is their sixth studio album and first release since their 2007 We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank, which features hits such as ‘Dashboard’ and ‘We’ve Got Everything’ and peaked at No.1 on the US Billboard 200.
Before that was Good News for People Who Love Bad News, which earned them two Grammy nominations and sold more than a million copies, featuring the No. 1 Modern Rock single ‘Float On’.
Forming in 1993 in Washington, Modest Mouse were one of the most unique bands of the 1990s and 2000s, as well as one of the more unlikely commercial success stories in Rock history. Modest Mouse have gone from cult sensations to unlikely alternative Rock stars, and are one of the few bands capable of treading the narrow path where massive popularity is possible without sacrificing their long-time fans.
The group played a key part in turning the Pacific Northwest in the US into fertile ground for Indie acts including Death Cab for Cutie and the Shins. Long term fans and new recruits will bond over the incredible musicianship they will witness when Modest Mouse impress us all at Bluesfest.
GRAHAM NASH
Bluesfest is extremely excited to welcome legendary singer-songwriter Graham Nash for what is guaranteed to be an unmissable performance!
A pivotal and founding member of one of the UK’s most successful Pop groups, The Hollies, and now of supergroup Crosby, Stills and Nash, Graham Nash’s rich vocals and harmonies have shaped a generation of Folk, Country and Pop music.
In a career spanning over fifty years, Nash has explored and created a diverse catalogue covering Pop, Rock, Folk, Jazz, Blues, Psychedelia and Progressive Rock – all layered with his complex and delicate vocal arrangements, that ultimately carved the signature sounds for The Hollies and Crosby, Stills & Nash. During Nash’s time with the group, The Hollies released 19 Top 20 UK hits and six world-wide No. 1 hits including ‘He Aint Heavy, He’s My Brother’, ‘The Air That I Breathe’, ‘Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress’, ‘Stop Stop Stop’ and ‘Just One Look’.
As the 1960s took shape, Rock fans clamoured for a more Psychedelic edge to music. With Nash leading the way, he teamed up with David Crosby and Stephen Stills to create the hugely successful supergroup Crosby, Stills and Nash. In 1969 legendary singer Neil Young joined the band and the foursome came together to perform one of the most memorable performances at Woodstock.
Nash’s passionate voice continues to be heard in support of peace, social and environmental justice. The No Nukes/Musicians United for Safe Energy (MUSE) concerts he organized with Jackson Browne and Bonnie Raitt in 1979 remain seminal benefit events. In 2011, Nash was instrumental in bringing MUSE back to the forefront with a concert to benefit Japan disaster relief and groups promoting non-nuclear energy worldwide.
In September 2013, Nash released his long-awaited autobiography Wild Tales, which delivers an engrossing, no-holds-barred look back at his remarkable career. His new studio album This Path Tonight will be released in 2016.
Graham Nash is one of the most distinctive vocalists and prolific songwriters of a generation, don’t miss this song writing craftsman, and incomparably multi-talented artist.
KAMASI WASHINGTON
“…the most audacious player in a movement transforming the electric flurry of Seventies fusion jazz into something bold, lush and new.” Rolling Stone
One of the most exciting artists of 2015, LA’s Kamasi Washington is coming to Bluesfest with his band. He is a Jazz composer, performer, band leader, pianist, drummer, saxophonist, and the list goes on.
Kamasi Washington not only created his own No.1 album in 2015 The Epic which peaked at No. 5 on the US Billboard Jazz Chart, No.6 on the US Billboard Heatseekers Chart and The New York Times gave the No. 1 spot on their Best Albums of 2015 list, he also spends his time working on various albums and movie scores and is responsible for much of the arrangement of fellow Bluesfest performer Kendrick Lamar’s Grammy nominated To Pimp A Butterfly. He has also worked with Flying Lotus (who refers to Kamasi’s music as West Coast Spiritual) and Lauryn Hill among others and has toured extensively with the likes of Snoop Dogg, Raphael Saadiq, and Chaka Khan.
His latest album The Epic is a 172 minute, triple disc masterpiece that is both written and conducted by Washington and fuses elements of Jazz, Soul, Classical, Hip-Hop and even Gospel. The Epic includes a 32-piece orchestra, a 20-person choir, and 17 songs overlaid with a compositional score written by Washington. Pulsing underneath is his otherworldly ten-piece band “The Next Step”, each member of which is individually regarded as among the best young musicians on the planet – including bassist Thundercat, and his brother, drummer Ronald Bruner Jr., bassist Miles Mosley, drummer Tony Austin, keyboard player Brandon Coleman, pianist Cameron Graves, and trombonist Ryan Porter. Patrice Quinn’s ethereal vocals round out the ensemble.
The New York Times gave The Epic, the No. 1 spot on their Best Albums of 2015 list. Ben Ratliff of the New York Times said of the album; “It evokes Coltrane, ‘70’s Funk, Gospel and a Classical education…”
Sydney Morning Herald gave it a five star review stating “Let’s cut to the chase, these three CD’s likely represent the most essential music purchase of the year”.
Don’t just take the critics word; see for yourself when this Jazz giant makes his Bluesfest debut with his band in 2016.
RICHARD CLAPTON
“one of the most important Australian songwriters of the 1970s” – Australian rock music historian Ian McFarlane
“Richard Clapton is one of those rare artists who couldn’t make a dud album if he tried” – the Music
Richard Clapton is an Australian stalwart Blues and Rock legend. Hits including the perennial ‘Girls on the Avenue’, ‘I am an Island’, ‘Deep Water’ and ‘Capricorn Dancer’ are cemented in Australia’s soundtrack.
Clapton, an ARIA Hall of Fame inductee, has released over 20 albums which have cumulatively sold over one million copies, celebrating over forty years in music as a singer, songwriter, musician and producer. He has performed with top Aussie groups including The Party Boys and Sun (replacing Renee Geyer), and stepped in the producer’s chair for INXS’ second album Underneath the Covers.
Clapton paved the way for three generations of songwriters to write about the experience of being Australian. Artists including Jimmy Barnes, INXS and Cold Chisel cite him as inspirations for their own work. Many of his songs are still on the radio every day as celebrated Australian classics. A tireless live performer, Richard has sold out at least eight shows at the iconic Sydney State Theatre. His second album Goodbye Tiger (1977) was listed at No. 15 in the book, 100 Best Australian Albums.
Richard still has no intention of slowing down. A new album is set to be released in 2016, after a recent trip to the US to record in Nashville with acclaimed producer Mark Moffat. The album features James Taylor’s guitarist Dan Dugmore and a stellar list of Nashville’s finest players.
“If America has Jackson Browne and Bruce Springsteen, and the U.K. has Van Morrison and Paul McCartney, then we are proud to confer similar prestige on Richard Clapton. Songs like “Deep Water” and “Capricorn Dancer” are touchstones on the Aussie rock landscape.” iTunes
Fondly remembering how much our audiences have loved his shows in the past, Bluesfest is proud to have this Australian music icon return to the stage in 2016.
ELLE KING
If you not already familiar with Elle King you soon will be. The sassy musician who loves both banjos and hobos, has just been nominated for two 2016 Grammy Awards for Best Rock Song and Best Rock Performance for her hit ‘Ex’s & Oh’s’. The song also spent three weeks on the No. 1 spot in the Billboard Alternative Charts and hit the top 10 of Billboard Hot 100. Elle King also made the No.2 spot on Billboard’s Top New Rock Artist of 2015 list, the only female artist to do so.
Elle King’s musical style encompasses Country, Soul, Folk, Rock, and Blues. Born in Ohio and raised in Brooklyn, Elle retains her roots in a style that blends those worlds of both grit and mid-western charm. She ties her old Soul and Rock’n’Roll influences into a sound that’s all her own. King started playing guitar at age 13 and later picked up a banjo, inspired by the Hank Williams and Earl Scruggs records her family listened to.
King released her four-song debut The Elle King EP on Fat Possum Records. She was spotlighted as an “Artist to Watch” by Esquire Magazine and Refinery 29, and the EP garnered favourable press from Entertainment Weekly, Esquire, Teen Vogue, Perez Hilton, and Vanity Fair. The EP track ‘Playing for Keeps’ was chosen as the theme song for VH1’s Mob Wives Chicago and was featured in the national TV ad campaign for AMC’s award-winning Mad Men.
Elle has appeared on The Late Show with David Letterman and The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and has toured with Of Monsters and Men, Ed Sheeran, and James Bay. Her full-length debut album Love Stuff was released to great reviews in early 2015 and was the highest new artist entry on Billboard.
We cannot wait to see this star on the rise at Bluesfest for the very first time in 2016.
ASH GRUNWALD
With unparalleled creativity and an unbridled spirit of diversity, Ash Grunwald pushed the boundaries of traditional Blues, Reggae and every genre in between, developing a unique brand of fusion that made him one of Australia’s most loved artists in recent decades.
Grunwald’s accolades include ARIA wins and nominations, MBAS Blues Performer of the Year 2003 award, AIR Best Independent Blues and Roots Album, LA Critic’s Award (US), and in 2009, he garnered a prestigious APRA song-writing award for Blues & Roots Song of the Year.
Blistering live sets at sell-out shows throughout the world have had critics and fans raving about his inimitable blend of Roots, Blues, beats and a whole lotta groove.
The Triple J favourite and committed environmental activist has supported James Brown and Xavier Rudd, collaborated with Scott and Andy from The Living End, and more recently brought in Ian Perez, of Wolfmother and Pete Wilkins from Blue King Brown to work on his new album NOW (2015). The gifted pair built the launch pad for Ash’s detonative sonic boom, enabling him to explore the lose-yourself-sounds of Psychedelic Blues using synth rather than stringed bass. The result is an album with immense force, and a whole new sound for the perpetually developing Grunwald.
Without pretension, without doubt – this is the landmark album of his career to date. This is Ash Grunwald NOW. This is a not-to-be-missed set from one of Australia’s favourite artists with his all-star band at Bluesfest 2016!
BLIND BOY PAXTON
“virtually the only music-maker of his generation – playing guitar, banjo, piano and violin, among other implements – to fully assimilate the blues idiom of the 1920s and ’30s, the blues of Bessie Smith and Lonnie Johnson.” Wall Street Journal
“…Blind Boy Paxton is a seasoned soul who renders goose bumps out of his fingertips. Like Lonnie Johnson? Well then, you’re gonna love this cat.” Rochestercitynewspaper.com
Highlight Jerron “Blind Boy” Paxton on your playing schedule, as he is another must see Bluesfest debutant in 2016. Born in 1989, Jerron “Blind Boy” Paxton may only be in his 20’s but get ready to be transported back to the 1920’s by this young gun, who may be one of the greatest multi-instrumentalists that you have not heard of. Yet.
This young Blues musician and vocalist making his Bluesfest debut in 2016 sings and plays banjo, guitar, piano, fiddle, harmonica, Cajun accordion, and the bones (percussion).
Jerron“Blind Boy” Paxton’s sound is influenced by the likes of Fats Waller and “Blind” Lemon Jefferson. His musical influences are mainly rooted in the early Blues from the 1920′s and 30′s. Jerron’s family, originally from Louisiana, moved to LA in the 50′s where he grew up before moving to New York City in 2007, where he currently resides.
Paxton has an eerie ability to transform traditional Jazz, Blues, Folk, and Country into the here and now, and make it real. In addition, he mesmerizes audiences with his humour and storytelling.
Don’t miss your chance to see this torch bearer of the early Blues at Bluesfest 2016.
DUSTIN THOMAS
“a powerful singer songwriter in the midst of a massive empowerment movement.” – Huffington Post
“His uniqueness defies labels. If you need comparisons, he’s a conduit for something spiritual and real, the way that the great Bob Marley was (and still is) or the way real issues were sung by, say, Tracy Chapman, whose stirring voice, by the way, seems to be echoing in Dustin” – Big Island Weekly
Big hair, big smiles, and a whole lot of love: International globe-trotter Dustin Thomas is making waves from Australia to Moscow with his infectious blend of beat-box/Soul Folk. Armed with a voice, a guitar and universal anthems of faith, love, and war; this young artist continues to inspire hearts around the world on his mission of music, joy, and peace.
Dustin is currently touring globally and nationwide, both as a solo-artist and in collaboration with Nahko and Medicine For The People. Dustin Thomas has performed alongside Soja, Xavier Rudd, Keller Williams, and Trevor Hall.
Bluesfest welcomes Dustin to the stage solo for the first time and knows our audience is going to dig the good vibes and great tunes of this talented young star!
WARDS XPRESS
Founding member and front-man of Wards Xpress, Ross Ward, relocated to Sydney in 2010 after 16 years on the far North Coast of NSW, his first ‘Bluesfest’ appearance was in ’95, where the idea for the band Wards Xpress was conceived.
In March 2012, Wards Xpress released Five Lanes, which shot straight to No. 1 on the Australian Blues & Roots Most Played Charts for its catchy and raw melodies.
In July 2015, Wards Xpress celebrated their 20th anniversary by releasing The Back Roads retrospective album (a remastered selection of tracks from the band’s back-catalogue). The album hit the No. 1 position on the Australian Blues & Roots Airplay Chart and stayed there for the next three months. The Sydney Morning Herald said of the release: “a collection of gritty and muscular pub blues, imbued with Ward’s trademark taste and style…. Truly a “best of”.”
Wards Xpress plays an original and organic mix of Blues, Rock, Funk and Soul, with a tinge of Jazz and World music styles in the mix. The current line-up includes bassist Alan Britton (Bondi Cigars), drummer Bruce Stephens (Cyril B Bunter Band) and guest keyboardist Steve Russell for Bluesfest 2016.
These guys are a vibrant and dynamic outfit, and their upcoming shows at Bluesfest are cause for a celebration, as it’s a fitting “Welcome Home to Byron” for singer-songwriter and guitarist Ross Ward!
RAW EARTH
Get ready for a surprising and sensational performance when Singapore’s Raw Earth take over the Bluesfest stage in 2016!
Raw Earth, who have a residency at the Barber Shop Blues jam in Singapore, is made up of a stellar line-up consisting of some of Singapore’s best Blues and Rock musicians including Danny Loong and Francis Chan (Ublues), Victor Chen (winner of Strip Acoustic at Wala Wala), Surath Godfrey and Hanrong from Rock outfit Reverie.
The group lock in a strong groove with an old school flavour and on stage improvisation and interaction which promises to keep things interesting.
Raw Earth perform an wide array of old school music styles from the 50s to 70s such as Blues, Rock and Roll, Funk, Soul and even some classic Blues Rock and their repertoire includes songs by Jimi Hendrix, Deep Purple, CCR, Grand Funk Railroad, Albert Collins, T-Bone Walker, BB King, The Beatles, Otis Redding among others.
While most current Pop and Rock music have gone more technical and predictable, Raw Earth attempts to retain the concept of Soul and Groove within their music through their performance.
You won’t be able to help but have a little boogie when Raw Earth show you how they play the Blues in Singapore!
All 5, 3 & 1 day festival and camping tickets are on sale through www.bluesfest.com.au or phone the office on 02 6685 8310
Tickets are also available through Moshtix www.moshtix.com.auand Ticketmaster www.ticketmaster.com.au