Performing the same repertoire of traditional jigs, reels and songs as the popular 5-piece, Erin Trio aims to paint a more subtle picture. With the acoustic approach of guitar, fiddle and voice, the trio strips it all back to reveal the raw simplicity of Irish storytelling. Add the stirring rumble of bodhran and you’ll be taken away along the rocky road to Dublin, or to the rolling mountains of Mourne …

… Thrill to the fiddle,
swoon to the song,
& enjoy the ‘Craic’
with ERIN …

Erin have performed at over 80 venues in the Hunter region in their ten year history, a tribute to their broad appeal.

With member backgrounds as diverse as jazz, folk, heavy metal and classical, Erin transports the Celtic tradition (eg The Clancy Brothers, The Dubliners, Steeleye Span) into the new millennium, together with a hint of the Irish contemporaries (U2, The Pogues, Sinead O’Connor & The Corrs).

In early 2003 Erin released a self titled album. This was followed up in 2008 with their second release, “Let’s Toss This Salad“, an acoustic album of traditional and jazz pieces performed by the Erin Trio. Let’s Toss This Salad was recorded under the watchful eye of Newcastle based producer Gareth Hudson in late 2007.

Throughout March 2008 Erin travelled around rural NSW and Victoria as part of a successful two week tour to launch the Salad album. On this tour they performed 13 shows in 14 days including numerous appearance at the Port Fairy and Yackandandah Folk Festivals.

The video below shows the band performing the ballad Gypsy Davy at the 2008 Yackandandah Folk Festival. The band undertook this tour as a 5-piece, enlisting the help of Chris Davidson on druns and Todd Johnson on bass.

The 2010 St Patrick’s day performance will mark exactly ten years since their first ever live show, held at the Lass O’Gowrie Hotel on March 17, 2000.

So get yourself along to MJ Finnegans this St Patricks day for a dose of great Irish music.

• Who: Erin Trio
• What: St Patricks Day Performance
• Where: MJ Finnegans
• When: March 17, 2010 – 1PM

The Trio will also be appearing at the Nelson Bay Bowling Club on the evening of Saturday March 13.

For more information about Erin visit their website at www.erin.net.au.

Celtic Beat features a diverse repertoire of songs from Australian, Irish and American folk music infused with contemporary soft rock and blues. Providing a unique eclectic mix, solid vocals and harmonies are accompanied by guitar, banjo, mandolin, fiddle, keyboard, bass, drums, mouth harp and whistle.

Celtic Beat’s Irish jigs and reels are sure to get your ‘toes-a-tapping’, while the joint will be rockin’ with songs from the Beatles, Creedance, Pogues and Paul Kelly together with an increasing number of original compositions.

Celtic Beat will be performing a special St. Patricks day weekend gig at Camyr Allyn Wines, 65 Allyn River Road, East Gresford. The event will be held on March 20, 2010 from 2 – 4:30PM.

The band entered their song Maitland Town into the Folk Catefgory of the 2009 Newcastle Music Awards.

Martin Frohlich sings lead vocals and plays guitar, fiddle, mandolin & whistle. Martin played with North Coast bands Feral Folk and the Big River Bush Band before moving to Newcastle and fronting contemporary folk-rock bands Blackberry Jam and State 51.

Greg Frohlich provides vocals and adds solid punch to contemporary folk-blues, playing electric piano and synthesizer. After playing with Central Coast club bands including Nightshift with Michelle Bunn, Greg joined brother Martin in Newcastle band State 51.

David Hogston features on lead guitar, banjo, bouzouki, mouth harp and vocals. An award winning songwriter, Dave’s songs have been recorded by the likes of Normie Rowe and Jeff St John and he has played with greats such as Olivia Newton John, Judy Stone and The Bushwackers. As a musical ambassador, Dave toured America, England and New Zealand following stints at the historic Sydney Rocks. His custom built musical instruments add a unique sound to Celtic Beat.

Michelle Bunn brings strong rhythmic foundations on drums and vocals to the musical mix. Touring through eastern Australia Michelle’s extensive playing experience includes performing with various Country artists and bands such as Adams Apple, Nightshift and Tall Order as well as television appearances on The Don Burrows Collection.

• What: St. Patrick Day Performance from Celtic Beat
• Where: Camyr Allyn Wines
• When: 2 – 4:30 PM – March 20, 2010

Highlander Celtic Rock Band Australia has a long name and a long history. They’re a progressive rock outfit that has been wowing audiences wherever they perform, but it’s really all about the Bag pipes, Fiddle and Kilts.

Highlander are a unique band that has played in a huge range of situations including the Highland Gathering at the Marriot Hotel in Jakarta, Indonesia. The band was also asked to play in Sydney’s Hyde Park on Saint Andrew’s Day 2009.

The band will celebrate the release of their new CD North Of The Wall at Wangi RSL on Saturday April 10. The band will be performing the entire album and some other band favorites to an intimate audience.

North of the Border was recorded at Restpark Studio in Wallsend and mastered by Don Bartley at Benchmark Mastering in Sydney.

Preview and download songs from North of the Wall by Highlander Celtic Rock Band Australia on iTunes.

The band is celebrating the launch of their latest Album ‘North of the Wall’ at Wangie RSL on Saturday night 10th April.

• What: Highlander Celtic Rock Band Album Launch
• Where: Wangi RSL
• When: Saturday Aptil 10, 2010

Highlander is set to put on a great production. Come and join in the fun and celebration. Entry is free and the venue has only enough room for around 300 guests, so get in early to avoid being dissapointed.

Highlander will also be playing a number of other shows around rural NSW throughout April 2010:

• April 17, 2010 – 10AM – Bundanoon, NSW
• April 17, 2010 – 8PM – Scottish Arms Hotel, East Bowral, NSW
• April 29, 2010 – 3PM – Park And Venues in Glenn Innes, NSW

For more information about Highlander visit their MySpace profile or their website.

St Patrick’s Day is coming up soon … Why not JOIN THE FUN!

It’s that time of the year again when the world turns green and people’s hearts turn to the old country, Ireland.

Celtic or not, it’s Irish month and the lead up to St Patrick’s day is always an excuse to have FUN, FUN, FUN, as only the Irish know how.

Radio stations play more Irish music and everyone has an excuse to drink more alcohol mid-week than they could normally manage or be allowed.

Direct from Ireland is a show to delight the family audience. Joe McManus has played to thousands of people in fifteen countries worldwide.
Now he brings his Celtic sound to Newcastle for the third year in a row.

Joe sings, plays guitar, banjo, harmonica and the Irish drum (Bodhran).

This creates a unique and touching show that celebrates the special sounds and tales of Ireland.

With comparisons to Irish great, Christy Moore, Joe brings you the complete Irish experience of great music mixed in with a great sense of humour.
Delivering such an enjoyable show is a pleasure for Joe.

When asked why he loves the show, he replied, “I get to pretend that I’m back in Ireland for 2 hours!”

So big, small, old or young, wherever you are from, you get a chance to be crazier, laugh more, to drown the shamrock and sing loud.
Here is your chance to celebrate everything Irish with the “Irish Busker Show”.

• What: The Irish Busker Show
• When: Wednesday 17th March – St Patricks Day – dinner show (bookings open now)
• Where: Stockton RSL
• Tickets: Available from the venue

For more information about the Irish Busker Show visit http://www.myspace.com/irishbusker.

Originating from Newcastle in 2008 Violence has been working hard to make a name for themselves in the Newcastle hardcore scene and has just recently been featured in Reverb Street Press. They deliver a full and heavy traditional style of hardcore while maintaining a distinct originality particularly through front man Glen Mountford’s vocal style.

The band have shared the stage with bands such as Dropsaw , Shinto Katana, Confession , Mary Jane Kelly , The Hollow , Mark My Words , The Red Shore , The War, For Today (US), Shadows Chasing Ghosts (UK) and The Storm Picturesque. Violence has also played two fundraising gigs for local roller girls Newcastle Roller Derby League and will continue their support to the league. Violence have also gained national recognition with a recent article in 2020 BMX Magazine.

Violence has recently recruited a new drummer, Shane Dunne, who played his first show with the band in Mid January.

Violence are releasing their debut self titled EP at The Cambridge Hotel on March 20 with special guests Northlane (Sydney), Taken By Force (Newcastle), The Cold Front (Newcastle) and with an appearance from Newcastle Roller Derby League.

The band will also be playing at the Hamilton Station Hotel on Saturday March 6 at 9:30PM with Cannons Mouth and Drown The Armada.

Merchandise from the band is available for purchase from their online store at violencehc.bigcartel.com.

• What: Violence EP Launch
• Where: The Cambridge Hotel – Newcastle West
• When: Saturday March 20 – 8:30PM
• Who: Violence, Northlane (Sydney), Taken By Force (Newcastle), The Cold Front (Newcastle)

For bookings contact Amber McNeill from Hurricane Heart Media.

Listen to some tracks from Violence and find out more information about the band at their myspace page at myspace.com/violencehc.

Advertise your gig or event for free

Anyone hosting a local, public event can take advantage of the new Community Events Calendar on the Lake Macquarie Council website at www.lakemac.com.au – and it’s free!

The calendar is a new feature aimed at helping people find events and entertainment opportunities in Lake Macquarie City and the surrounding region. It’s creators also hope that it helps to boost patronage to events and, in turn, give our local economy a helping hand.

Gigs, festivals, or any event with an open invitation may be posted on the new Community Events Calendar.

Posting events on the Community Calendar is free and easy:

1. Register using your email address
2. Upload your event details
3. Include photos to help promote your event
4. Maintain all of your events at any time on the “My Events” page after logging in

The calendar can be found online here.

If you need help or want more information email Angie Francisco on afrancisco@lakemac.nsw.gov.au or call her on 49210 186.

From the Hunter Valley to the Pilbara and Back Again

Raised in the working class town of Cessnock, NSW with a Celtic heritage, Kieran Glasgow comes with an honest and down to earth approach to his music. Kieran’s live performance showcases his talent as a songwriter, singer and multi-instrumentalist.

Drawing on his Celtic roots and contemporary musical training Kieran Glasgow’s sound is well crafted, warm and polished in the vein of Paul Kelly and Troy Cassar-Daly but with an edge reminiscent of Ryan Adams.

Glasgow’s new album “Harvesting Time” was released in January 2009. His songwriting and performance is always engaging and this album is no exception.

Kieran is a qualified plant mechanic by trade, but at age 19 with his apprenticeship complete, Kieran did a complete turn around and headed south to study music.

Since then Kieran has also worked as a support worker for people with a mental illness and true to his Celtic roots has even peeled potatoes for a living in Ireland. This of course has given him some great stories and quite diverse repertoire.

Kieran’s previous EP “Broad” was released in 2007 with the single and video clip “Wasn’t Just The Drugs” receiving radio airplay and programming on the ABC’s Rage. It was also added to SBA Music’s “Indignation” compilation and Nightlife’s video distribution.

He was also a featured vocalist on the Australian feature film “Em 4 Jay” directed by Alkinos Tsilimidos and was producer/project leader of a compilation CD entitled “Blossom” which consisted of poetry, songs and storytelling from disadvantaged people around Sydney’s inner west.

Kieran has been touring his solo show solidly around Australia, most recently completing a tour of over 120 gigs and covering 6 states. Highlights included the 2009 Queenscliff Music Festival, 2009 Adelaide Fringe Festival, 2009 Darwin Fringe Festival, 2009 Tamworth Country Music Festival, and 2009 Yackandandah Folk Festival. Kieran has also become a favorite on ABC Local Radio right across the country. As winner of the Vanguard Newtown Band Competition, Kieran performed at the 2007 Peats Ridge Festival and the 2006 Surry Hills Festival.

After a whirlwind 12 months trekking around some of Australia’s most remote town’s and highway’s solo musician Kieran Glasgow returns with a bunch of shows in the hunter valley, some crazy stories and a new album.

“I’ve always wanted to see more of this country but I had been really dedicated to pursuing my music. It hadn’t occurred to me that I could tour some of Australia’s more isolated places and still progress with my music career. I was based in Sydney for a while but growing up in the Hunter gave me an appreciation for the land and the working class. I think that’s why I relate to people living in regional towns.”

Many of Sydney’s best soul, blues and country musician’s played on “Harvesting Time” as well as being recorded, mixed and mastered by former Sony engineer Michael Lynch who has worked on recordings by Ryan Adams, John Butler and Pete Murray.

Kieran plays lapsteel and acoustic guitars as well as harmonica and foot percussion in his solo show. His sound is well crafted, warm and delivered in the vein of Paul Kelly and Troy Cassar-Daly but with a folk/blues edge resembling Jeff Lang. The gigs will feature songs from the new album as well as some original interpretations of artists from Johnny Cash to Jimmy Hendrix.

Kieran will be performing a number of shows in the Newcastle region in early 2010:

• March 2, 2010 – 12PM – Newcastle, NSW – Newcastle University – Shortland Courtyard
• March 12, 2010 – 8PM – Wangi, NSW – Wangi Workers Club
• March 13, 2010 – 7PM -Taree, NSW – Taree Aquatic Club
• March 14, 2010 – 9PM -Islington, NSW – Hamilton Station Hotel
• April 4, 2010 – 8PM -Bateman’s Bay, NSW – Monet’s Cafe
• April 17, 2010 – 10AM -The Entrance, NSW – The Entrance Farmers Market
• April 17, 2010 – 8PM – Newcastle, NSW – The View Factory

Kieran’s album Harvesting Time can be purchased at all live gigs and through www.kieranglasgow.com and iTunes.

Emerging Newcastle roots rock band, Benjalu are excited to announce their first headlining appearance on home turf for 2010.

The Price of Wales Hotel in Merewether, one of the band’s favourite venues to perform, will play host to these local larrikins for their homecoming show on Friday the 19th March this year. They will share the stage with the amazingly talented Kim Churchill, fresh from appearances at the Port Fairy Folk Festival, with support from locals and new kids on the block Little BlaK Dress.

Benjalu have received great recognition in their short musical career, in fact the attention they’ve garnered thus far has been way above their expectations. Having released their second, highly-anticipated EP ‘Waterwalls’ last year, the boys have been on the road constantly, playing anywhere from Far North Queensland, to Far South Victoria, and everywhere in between.

Despite having only been together as a band since March 2006, these local lads from Dudley have impressed music aficionados across Australia with their distinct fusion of folk, blues, jazz and contemporary rock. They’ve bagged a few awards along the way with their original music and atmospheric live shows. Most recently, Benjalu cleaned up at the ABC 1233 Newcastle Music Awards, taking out Best Young Talent and the Blues & Roots category also.

Benjalu have spent the last two years touring solidly, performing countless shows as they clicked over the kilometres up and down the east coast highways. They are hoping to find some time in their already heavlily booked 2010 to lay down their debut full-length album release.

‘Waterwalls’ features eight tracks with drums and bass recorded live, giving the CD a more flowing feel. The tracks vary from funky rock to folk and roots, showcasing both new tracks and songs that have been popular at the band’s live shows. The title track ‘Waterwalls’ presents catchy guitar licks, a thumping rhythm section and expressive vocal delivery, perfectly relating to the lyrics, which relay the build up of strong emotions and their effect on life. Another of the stand outs, ‘So High’, features funky guitar, a catchy chorus and a rockin’ jam out of clarinet and guitars. Other highlights include the CDs’ opener ‘The Lie’ (recently receiving JJJ airplay), ‘Grey Old Man’ and Benjalu’s oldest song, ‘Java’. ‘Waterwalls’ was produced by Ian Pritchett (Angus and Julia Stone, The Beautiful Girls) and was released on May 29 last year to a huge home crowd at The Brewery, Newcastle.

Benjalu have shared stages with music luminaries such as The Beautiful Girls, The Sleepy Jackson, and Josh Pyke. Kate Miller-Heidke, Jon Stevens, James Reyne, Dann Hume (Evermore), Rogerthat, and Paul Greene.

They’re looking very forward to sharing their music with their hometown fans, friends and family at the Prince of Wales Hotel, Merewether on Friday the 19th March from 8pm. Tickets only $10, available from the band or from the venue on the night.

• What: Benjalu with Kim Churchill and Little BlaK Dress
• Where: Prince of Wales Hotel, Merewether
• When: 19th March, 2010 from 8pm
• Tickets: $10, available from the band or from the venue on the night

For more information about Benjalu visit their myspace page at myspace.com/benjalu.

They say that the only constant in life is change. The shifting career of Amy Vee is no exception. Beguiling solo performer. Electric popster. Virtuosic rocker. In 2010, Vee will come full circle, her talent stripped bare on a captivating acoustic release called Sleeping Dogs Lie.

Amy Vee began her musical life as a solo writer and performer, eventually forming the musical collective The Virtues. Through natural evolution Amy Vee and The Virtues became a rock band, with their singer putting down her acoustic guitar in favour of an electric.

Ears took notice and Amy Vee and The Virtues became hot property on the live circuit, touring hard and garnering awards, from the 2005 MusicOz Artist Of The Year to a nomination for an LA Music Award. Her vocal work with Groove Terminator would see her tour Australia in support of Moby.

But in late 2008, Vee felt an instinctive pull toward her original sound – the soft introspection of timeless folk music. Deciding to “shake things up a bit”, the songwriter decided to distance herself from The Virtues’ sizzling, electrified approach and wrote a collection of solo acoustic songs. Recording a series of demos and taking a tour of Canada, Vee was ready to share her changed direction and recorded five tracks in the studio of Newcastle-based producer Gareth Hudson.

The resulting work, Sleeping Dogs Lie, is a gentle, drifting collection that unravels further with every listen. The instrumentation is minimal, yet no less absorbing. Vee’s lyrics carry themes of the necessity for change, even if that means personal sacrifice. It’s about seeing the positive influences in the world around you and embracing them.

“I’ve seen a lot of changes in myself – personally and musically, internally and externally. Some only minute, others quite profound. This new recording represents me acknowledging and accepting these changes,” explains Vee.

There is an inherent honesty in Sleeping Dogs Lie that can be heard in Vee’s personal revelations. One example is the final track ‘Fall To Zero’. “I think ['Fall To Zero'] is really about that fundamental need that we all seem to have to find a kindred spirit. Not necessarily a partner or a soulmate in the romantic sense… just that desire to be understood and respected and to have one’s thoughts and beliefs reflected back. I wrote this song during a time when I was feeling a bit lost and I think you can hear that longing in there,” explains Vee.

This restlessness finds its way into the song ‘Borrowing From Thieves’. “This song is about being comfortable with knowing that sometimes the things you want aren’t meant to be yours,” explains Vee. “It’s told through the story of two people who share an incredible bond but the paths of their lives mean they can never truly connect. By the end of the song, they’ve acknowledged the relationship for what it is – and never will be – and moved on.”

In 2009, Vee’s new material was recognised with a sweep at the 1233 ABC Music Awards. The singer received the ABC Music Publishing/APRA Songwriters and Composers Recognition Award, Best Folk Song for Borrowing From Thieves and the Best Contemporary Song for We Are The Hours.

2010 will be an affirming year for Vee, as she takes the songs of Sleeping Dogs Lie to live audiences around Australia and the UK, with only her voice, lilting acoustic guitar and occasional use of live loops, percussion and melodica as her weapons of choice. While an artist’s future is never predictable, one thing is for certain. Vee is welcoming change.

Amy is excited to announce a slew of local appearances booked for March, including supports for Jon Stevens at Newcastle Lizotte’s (4th & 5th), Lambton Park Food & Wine Festival (6th March), Wine & Waves Festival Merewether (13th March) and Live ‘n’ Local at Newcastle Lizotte’s (24th March), all before she heads north for a mini-North Coast/Queensland tour in late March.

For more information about Amy Vee and a list of her upcoming gigs visit her website at amyvee.com.

Take your seats & hold on tight for the take off of The Dread Sky’s debut CD release!

Prepare to be blown away by The Dread Sky’s debut self-titled album release, to be officially launched at the end of February this year. With a national album launch tour in the final stages of planning for this Summer/Autumn, The Dread Sky are more than excited to be touring off the back of their brand-new, solid-as-hell release.

Blending the joyous arrogance of 70’s punk and the drama of early British metal, with an underlying notion of evolved social conscience, The Dread Sky’s debut album is indeed true to this unique sound, setting this outfit aside from the others. With cheeky, Beatles-esque lyrical content, strong instrumental compositions and a wellproduced sound, this is a must-have album for your collection.

This extremely rare and hardworking band comprises three musically-obsessed gentlemen hailing from Newcastle, NSW, with two-thirds of the band actually spending a lot of time in the air.

“Myself and Neale (Brain, guitar & backing vox) are ex-military pilots, so we tend to spend a lot of time in the air and overseas. Much of the material on this release is based on that lifestyle”, explains Jerry (lead singer & bassist), “We’ve recently been debuting the CD in LA when we’re on layovers there, so that’s given us a good lead-up to our Australian tour!”

Co-produced by Gerling’s Burke Reid, mixed by Presets producer Scott Horscroft, mastered at 301 Studios by Steve Smart, with artwork by the ARIA award-winning team at Debaser, this album is set to turn heads and prick up ears across the country.

With all their hard work behind them, this explosive trio are itching to get on the road and launch this rockin’ 11 track album. Highlights from the album are aplenty, with lead track “The Pilot” proving to be an ironically catchy tune, “Mary Of Sirius” a Bowie-esque definite single, eerie ballad-type track “Snomen” a killer and “Maria’s” groovin’ melody and interesting theatrics.

The Dread Sky album is now available through iTunes, cdbaby.com and selected independent record stores.

Be sure not to miss The Dread Sky as they jet across the nation this Summer/Autumn!

The Dread Sky will be performing at several locations around newcastle as part of their album launch tour:

• 26th February 9pm at the Chilli Lounge, Wyong NSW with Mornings Eleven and Waltz n Black
• 20th March 8.30pm at Lass O’Gowrie, Newcastle NSW with Vamp

For more information about The Dread Sky visit their website at thedreadsky.com.