Blues News #622
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Blues News #622

The Sleepy Hollow Blues Club’s Bluestone Festival is on the way! If you haven’t come across this festival before, it runs on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, or as we like to call it, Recovery Day.
It’s held out at Murgheboluc, with camping to avoid the risk of meeting booze buses or the disappointment of one person having to drink mineral water. A modest event, but a bloody good night to usher in the new year. So let’s have a few sneak peeks at the bands coming for the sessions.
Miss Whiskey is a two piece, consisting of Anna Scionti (vocals and guitar) and Julie Noble (harmonica). They are an acoustic swamp blues duo based in Melbourne. They were winners of the 2015 MBAS Blues Challenge, in the solo/duo category, and are heading to Memphis in January 2016 for the International Blues Challenge!
The Jackie Howelers have been etching their own path in the blues for nearly a decade. A two man outfit consisting of Rod Mitchell on guitar, kickdrums and vocals and harmonica ace Dan Sullivan the act has been a regular at both regional and national blues festivals. What you can expect from the acclaimed duo is a powerhouse “foot stompin’ blues” experience, drawing heavy influence from the masters of American blues including Muddy Waters, Little Walter & Howlin Wolf.
But it’s not all duos! People might know Paulie Bignell from The Detonators, but this year, he’s here as Paulie Bignell and the Thornbury Two. The band is Paulie Bignell (guitar/vocals), Peter Beulke (bass/backing vocals) and Craig Hadlow (drums). To quote from his official bio “Hollering, barking and moaning, stompin’ his feet and yelling at the mic like there’s no tomorrow. Bangin’ on his guitar, buzzin’ around and twisting notes that sting you.” Not far from the mark!
Hauling themselves up the road from Warrnambool are the Hog Stompin’ Zydegators. I first came across these blokes at Port Fairy, and then on the Blues Train. The members of the band are Michael Murphy on vocals, guitar and bass. Jarrod Irvine on bass and guitar. Billy Bevan on Drums. Dave Li and piano. Brendan Dowd on percussion, vocals and harmonica. The Hog Stompin’ Zydegators have been playing around Victoria for over 13 years with no signs of slowing down! All I have to say, is watch out for the alligator!
A big one for me is Blues Mountain. Jesse Valach has brought this band to Sleepy Hollow a few times now and each time they have gone off like a frog in a sock. Mr Valach has performed alongside some of Australia’s biggest names in blues music including Russell Morris, Geoff Achison, Jeff Lang, Lloyd Spiegel, Jimi Hocking, Ray Beadle and on numerous occasions he has been the dynamic guitarist behind renowned harmonica player Mr Chris Wilson.
Yes, there will be many more, but you’ll have to start checking Forte regularly and coming to club functions to pick up the rest!
Written by John (Dr John) Lamp
Proudly presented by the Sleepy Hollow Blues Club