blues

From the early '80s onward, guitarist Kid Congo Powers (born Brian Tristan) was a distinctive presence at the nexus where roots music meets punk. Powers had memorable tenures with the Gun Club (which he co-founded with Jeffrey Lee Pierce), the Cramps, and Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds. However, while he was the instrumental half of the Congo Norvell duo in the '90s, Powers didn't consider stepping out as a frontman until 2005. That year, Powers released two solo albums, Philosophy and Underwear and Solo Cholo. As Powers began refining his skills as a songwriter and vocalist, he ramped up his recording and touring schedule, and formed a band to accompany him on his projects. Fusing primitive, swampy rock & roll, garage rock, and fractured blues with East L.A. Chicano rock and a dash of punk and psychedelia, Powers dubbed his new band the Pink Monkey Birds. The group initially featured Powers on guitar and vocals, Jack Martin on guitar, Kiki Solis on bass, and Ron Miller on drums. By the time the band recorded its first album, Dracula Boots, in 2009, Martin was out and Jesse Roberts had stepped in on guitar and keyboards. Kid Congo & the Pink Monkey Birds continued to tour regularly, racking up more miles than Powers had since the '90s, and they released Gorilla Rose in 2011 and Haunted Head in 2013. In 2016, Powers and the group delivered their fourth album, La Arana Es la Vida. The LP introduced a new Pink Monkey Birds lineup; Jesse Roberts parted ways with the band, and Powers recruited guitarist Mark Cisneros to fill the vacancy in the group.

Christopher John (C.J.) Lee: Australian singer/songwriter, guitarist, banjo and harmonica player writes songs channeled through mongrel dogs. Born of the Waratah state in rural NSW, Australia, C.J.Lee performs predominantly as a solo artist drawing influence from blues, Dixieland jazz, vaudeville, folk and country music.

He’s played street corners, folk venues, dive bars, coffee houses, blues clubs, music halls to world renowned festival stages.

When he employs a band, C.J calls upon a select group of musicians to punctuate his bellowing voice and abstract story telling. You'll hear violin responding to the narrative, horns to bring out the bourbon, bull fiddle sliding along with a concoction of drums and percussion, bringing to mind characters such as Tom Waits, C.W Stoneking and Howlin Wolf.

In 2016, Lee relocated to Ontario, Canada and Detriot, Michigan, quickly hustling his way into the Blues & Roots community across Canada and into the US. A troubadour at heart, C.J.Lee finds himself traveling constantly with his suitcase of songs throughout Canada, US and Australia.

His latest album “Hitchcock Sequel” available now on all platforms and on ‘limited edition' RED vinyl.

Award winning blues artist Dan Dinnen teams up with Anthony “Shorty” Shortte, one of the Australian Blues Scene’s most well-loved, exciting and original drummer/percussionists. 

Shorty is best known for his work with ARIA award winning blues act Collard Greens and Gravy. His unique approach to the drum-kit helped to create a rolling, rollicking, juke-joint sound that captivated audiences at gigs and festivals around the country for 20 years. As well as teaming up with Dan Dinnen, Shorty is currently playing drums for blues roots trio Opelousas with Alison Ferrier and Kerri Simpson.

Shorty’s dynamic drum work fits Dan’s style like a well-worn glove. Dan lays down his hypnotic finger-picking guitar grooves, Shorty picks up on the feel and drives it along, adding textures and rhythmic layers. This is a musical conversation that cooks, and the result is a bluesy gumbo of rootsy goodness, seasoned with a touch of delta swamp, a spoonful of hill country, and very much its own unique flavour.

Kid’ James (James Schembri) is the new kid on the block in the Melbourne Rockabilly scene.

A nineteen-year-old singer/songwriter and guitarist that is performing authentic Rockabilly music just like it was performed by teenagers in the 50's.