SWAMP BOX
Maria Cassar and Ross Gregory (pictured) came together in October 2013 to form Swamp box, a new slide and acoustic blues/roots duo. Ably assisted by the Peninsula’s own Larry Dennis on the harp, Swamp Box are now getting around to many of the Peninsula’s better live music venues and I would recommend checking them out. The Swamp box line-up also adds Jimmy Green on Bass and Matt Rock on Drums to give an extra dimension to the mix when a full band is required.
Please check the gig guides or go to www.facebook.com/pages/The-Swamp-Box/462284507213340 for more details.
MORDIALLOC FOOD AND WINE FESTIVAL
A sensational line-up of artists came together over the March 1 & 2 weekend. This list is long and impressive – Saskwatch, Vika and Linda Bull, Blue Shaddy, Geoff Achison and the Souldiggers, Greg Dodd and the Taildraggers, Deep Street Soul, the little Stevies, Jimi Hocking and Bert Delvert, Andrea Marr and the Funky Hitmen, Stevie Page and Kim Kelaart, Stephen Cummings, King Catfish and Andy Phillips and the Cadillac Walk.
Keep an eye on this festival for next year, this is a don’t miss event – www.kingston.vic.gov.au/Explore-Kingston/Festivals-and-Events/Mordialloc-Food-Wine-and-Music-Festival
SUPPORTING WOMEN IN BLUES
Supporting Women In Blues held a very successful first evening at the Royal Standard on Wednesday Feb 19, with a great turn out of musicians and many other women who are interested in being a part of supporting, encouraging and mentoring all women keen to advance within the blues community here in Melbourne. It was a very warm and supportive evening and plans are afoot to develop the program, with the input of everyone involved.
The next evening will be March 19 at the Royal Standard Hotel, 333 William Street, West Melbourne. For more details please go to www.facebook.com/supportingwomeninblues
LIVE @ THE STATION
Friends of the Frankston station have been entertaining us with some live outdoor Blues on Friday afternoons during our endless summer at the approach to the Frankston station. No less than Alex Burns, Troy Wilson, Electric Larry and Rollin’ JU Byrne have all entertained the crowds with some great acoustic tunes as you pass by the station.
PENINSULA BLUES CLUB
The March meeting opened with the house band performing a tribute to Robert Johnson. Dave Diprose, the king of the resonator along with Peter Howell on bass followed as the feature act. The next PBC meeting will be held on Sunday April 13 with Julian Bryne and Aaron Gillet (from Catfish Voodoo) as the feature act. The Peninsula Blues Club is proud to announce that Alex Burns will be the Australian patron of the club.
For more details please check www.facebook.com/PeninsulaBluesClub
DON’T MISS
An extremely talented and emerging young artist on the blues and roots scene, Joshua Batten was the winner of the City of Kingston talent contest in 2013.
Please see www.facebook.com/joshuabattenmusic for more details.
Until next month, let’s keep the blues alive and support our local artists.
GREG FISHER
Greg writes monthly for PEARL on all things Blues and if you’d like Greg to review your release or you know of something happening in the Blues world please drop him a line at www.facebook.com/GregFisherBluesIllustrated. Greg can also be heard every Tuesday between 12-2 pm on 88.3 Southern FM as the host of the all Australian Blues Illustrated show.