Blues News #639
Subscribe
X

Subscribe to Forte Magazine

Blues News #639

Music festivals are interesting things. The oddest things stick in your mind.

There was one Apollo Bay Music Festival (2008?), and I can’t for the life of me remember any of the sets, but Matt Dwyer must have been playing, because what I do remember is sitting on a grassy bank down there and chatting with him about life, the universe and what a better place it is with music. Anyhow, some more about Matt …

Matt’s originally from Sydney, but I don’t hold that against him. He earned his reputation as a first-rate blues guitarist for his work with Beachhead Blues, The Bondi Cigars, The Louisville Sluggers and his own Matt Dwyer Quartet.

In 2001 Matt moved to Melbourne, which led to work with Louis King’s Liars Club, Nina Ferro, Bob Valentine, The Shuffle Club, Eugene Hamilton, Chris Wilson, Matt Taylor and Angry Anderson. Anyone who has a list like that in their CV is certainly worth listening to.

He has a number of musical projects, a jazzy blues organ trio, his Little Big Band, and The Magnatones. This lively, swinging blues combo features Matt’s guitar and vocals, backed by Peter Mavric (double bass) and Steve Morrison (drums).

Their blurb states, “Matt Dwyer serves up a hot gumbo of rock ‘n’ roll, blues, swing, rockabilly and surf music,” and the gumbo should go down well at Pistol Pete’s.

Matt Dwyer & the Magnatones will be taking the stage at Pistol Pete’s this Saturday, the 28th. So don’t miss that, it should be an amazing night.

At this point, I’d like to make a completely gratuitous mention of Wayne Jury. Often in this column, I’m talking about the outside bands who are coming to ‘a venue near you’. Wayne on the other hand is a local who has had quite a career working at places like Alberts Music and with blues greats Robert Cray, Albert Collins, Canned Heat and Buddy Guy. He’s playing most weekends, check him out.… and now for something a little more serious.

Sleepy Hollow Blues Club is planning to host “Supporting the Homeless” Music Event in July to raise funds to support the homeless. The beneficiary of all funds raised by the 2016 event will be The Road Home.

The Road Home works in conjunction with the Barwon South West Homelessness Network to provide swags, blankets and hygiene products directly to the Geelong homeless. The event will occur between 2pm and 8pm on Sunday July 24, 2016 at the Geelong Trades Hall Dance Hall, Smyth Street, Geelong.

The event will consist of a series of 30 minute sets with a 15-minute changeover between bands. They are seeking local artists and bands (of all genres) from the Geelong region to contribute 30 minutes of their time towards this important event.

Please contact the Club at [email protected] (or 0490 392676) to register interest. Further details, and confirmation of times, will be provided before July.

This event is not only about fundraising, it is also about raising awareness of homelessness, and showing the people directly affected that the community cares.

Further information is on the “The Road Home” website http://www.theroadhome.net.au

Written by John (Dr John) Lamp