Since forming on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast in 2003, The Scare have partied hard and toured even harder. They’ve flown around the world by the seat of their pants, survived in the freezing back alleys of Birmingham, England, sleeping on couches or on floors or in gutters. They returned to Australia and released their full-length debut, Chivalry in 2007, only to have it fall largely upon deaf ears, thrusting the group into a period of intense self-scrutiny.
Then came the Daniel Johns produced Oozevoodoo. Having formed a special bond after meeting at a mutual friend’s studio, Johns invited the group to spend some time at his Newcastle home, which is where the initial seeds for oozevoodoo were sewn. As Johns recalls: “They came up here and within a day of being here we wrote ‘I’m Desperate’. In my house, smashing away incredibly loudly, annoying my neighbours”. A quantum leap from Chivalry, it is neither a carbon copy of anyone else, nor a mere pastiche of The Scare’s influences. Featuring a heavier attack, simpler rhythms and more ambitious vocal melodies that circumvent the traditional, the lyrics to each song act like mini scenes in a wider epic.
Successful tours followed, including a slot on the recent Big Day Out touring circus, with the bands’ profile and fan base continuing to grow. Now the Scare return to Newcastle for the very first show of the University year – The Enrolment Party.
After forming in 2005, Here Come The Birds quickly launched their first single ‘Bravery & Defeat’. Instant JJJ success and a slot on Splendour in the Grass alongside Vampire Weekend & Devo lead to a tour with Van She and Operator Please. The band were winners of the Rock category in the 2008 ABC Newcastle Music Awards with their song Sharp White Teeth.
Newcastle based metal band Kindred have recently finished recording their latest CD “Ignite The Machine“.
The CD was mixed and mastered by Fredrik Nordstrum and Shane Edwards. Nordstrum and Edwards have produced and mixed some of the best Metal and Hardcore in the world including bands such as In Flames, Soilwork, Opeth, Arch Enemy and many more.
In June 2008 Kindred signed with Waterfront Records, MGM Green and JMC and shortly afterwards released their debut EP “Exordium”.
Last month Kindred recorded the video clip for the single “No More Praise” at Fox Studios, Sydney. The clip was filmed by the well know director Jay Johnson (Linkin Park, Warners and Universal).
Kindred have also been invited to tour South Australia and Victoria with Melbourne band Tread who have just released their cd “Rise from Silence”, Kindred will also be supporting Sydney metal band Daysend on their National tour.
Kindred will be supporting Daysend in Newcastle at the Cambridge Hotel on Friday, March 19.
“Ignite The Machine” will be made available for purchase at all major music outlets including JB HIFI, Sanity and many independent outlets through MGM Australia and Waterfront records international. The CD and tracks will also be able to be purchased for download through iTunes internationally.
“There’s a certain subtle grace & intelligence in this collection of acoustic pop/rock songs, delivered with enough quiet passion …” Michael Smith, Drum Media
Jaywalker are a Central Coast band who’s music is based around the writing of singer songwriter Jason Hicks and his collaboration with Bob Allen (guit), James Dennett (drums), and Luke Davies (Bass).
The last two years have seen the band move ahead in leaps and bounds and perform to many appreciative and supportive crowds, including a tour with Xavier Rudd, supports with Kate Miller-Heidke, Diesel, Jon Stevens, Jack Jones as well as sold out shows including The Vanguard where they released their well received debut single “You Live You Learn”.
Jaywalker were nominated as finalists in four categories in the recent 2009 Newcastle Music Awards, with Jason taking out the award for Best Male Vocal 2009. The guys were also runners up in the 2007 People’s Choice category of the Australia wide Music Oz Awards. A tribute to the support of their dedicated fan base. The band recorded their debut album “The Light & Shade” in January 2010 followed by an East Coast album tour using the funds granted by the Contemporary Music Touring Program.
The band will be launching their new album at Lizotte’s, Central Coast on Thursday February 11.
Jaywalker treks up the F3 the following night to perform at the Northern Star Hotel in Hamilton where the band will be joined by special guest Melanie Horsnell.
Inspired by a life on the waves and a sleepy little coastal existence, benjalu’s tunes draw influence from many diverse styles, such as early jazz and blues, roots and today’s modern acoustic contemporary musicians.
Despite only playing together since March 2006, Benjalu have impressed music aficionados across Australia, winning numerous awards for their original music and their warm live shows. In 2006 the band took out the annual YouthRock awards: they were also named by MUSICOZ as one of the top 10 School bands within Australia: and they took out the prestigious TAFE Newcastle Music Week award for the Open School Section.
Benjalu’s radio–friendly tracks were further honoured at YouthRock awards, when the band were given an additional award by fellow Novocastrians Silverchair, recognising their strong and original song-writing talents.
2008 saw the boys driving the highways and dirt roads of Australia, playing two to four gigs a week, clocking up over 130 shows throughout the year finished up the year with a sold out show at Prince Of Wales Hotel Merewther.
Benjalu has extended their touring reach and kept up the pace in 2009. Throughout the year they supported numerous high profile bands including as The Badloves, Paul Applekamp, Diesel, The Living End, Children Colide, Beccy Cole and Jon Stevens. They received two awards at the 1233 ABC Newcastle Music Awards. They recorded and released their second EP titled ‘Waterfalls’. They performed at the 21st birthday celebrations of the Youth Rock competition and graced the stages of the Peats Ridge Music Festival. In total they performed over 120 shows all across South-Eastern Australia. They finished 2009 in style, supporting The Living End on New Years Eve at Queens Wharf Brewery.
Below is a summary of the band’s achievments throughout 2009. Included for context is a complete list of gigs they played.
Early 2009 – Relentless Touring
Throughout early 2009 Benjalu toured extensively throughout eastern Australia:
Friday January 2 – Crescent Head Country Club – Crescent Head
Saturday January 3 – Manning Point Bowling Club – NSW
Sunday January 4 – Amble Inn – Corindi Beach NSW
Tuesday January 6 – Chilli Lounge – Grand Hotel – Wyong NSW – With Bonjah – ($10 On Door Thanks)
Thursday January 8 – Sussex Inlet Tavern – South Coast NSW
Friday January 9 – Lakeview Hotel Merimbula NSW
Saturday January 10 – Railway Hotel – Bunyip Victoria
Sunday January 11 – Long Board Surf Cafe – Dromana Victoria
Wednesday January 14 – Torquay Hotel – Torquay Victoria
Friday January 16 – Gordon Hotel – Portland Victoria
Saturday January 17 – The Globe Hotel – Deniliquin NSW
Sunday January 18 – Albion Hotel Albury NSW
Thursday January 22 – Great Southern Inn – Eden NSW
Friday January 23 – Air Raid Tavern – Moruya South Coast NSW (small Door Charge $10) Doors Open At 7pm
Saturday January 24 – Hornsby Inn – NSW (across The Road From The Westfield Shopping Centre On The Corner)
Sunday January 25 – Prince Of Wales Hotel Merewether & Guest Paul Appelkamp Under 18’s Adult S/vision Upstairs
Monday January 26 – Australia Day Festival – Mean Fiddler Hotel – Rouse Hill NSW – Australia Day Festival – Merrylands Oval – Merrylands NSW
Friday January 30 – Bangalow Hotel Bangalow NSW
Saturday January 31 – Railway Hotel Byron Bay -
Thursday February 5 – Sand Bar – Mildura Victoria
Friday February 6 – Lake Wallace Hotel – Edenhope Victoria
Saturday February 7 – Commerical Hotel – Horsham Victoria
Sunday February 8 – Kincraig Hotel – Naracoorte – South Australia ($10 Entry Thankyou)
Thursday February 12 – Meningie Hotel – Meningie South Australia
Friday February 13 – Louisiana Tavern At Elizabeth South Australia
Saturday February 14 – Loxton Hotel -($7 Ticket At Door) Loxton South Australia
Sunday February 15 – Cornwall Hotel – Moonta South Australia ($10 Entry Thankyou)
Thursday February 19 – Streaky Bay Hotel – Streaky Bay – South Australia
Friday February 20 – Commerical Hotel Cowell – South Australia
Saturday February 21 – Seabreeze Hotel – Tumby Bay South Australia
Sunday February 22 – Coffin Bay Hotel – Coffin Bay South Australia
Friday February 27 – Northern Star Hotel Hamilton – Free Entry Supporting Rogerthat.
March 2009 – In The Studio Recording The ‘Waterfalls’ EP
Throughout March 2009, Benjalu hit the studio to record their EP Waterfalls. The EP 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 an expressive vocal delivery, perfectly relating to the lyrics, which relay the build up of strong emotions and their effect on life. Another of the CDs 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, Grey Old Man and Benjalu’s oldest song, Java, which was recorded outside at night, capturing nature at its best.
‘Waterwalls’ was produced by Ian Pritchett.
April/May 2009 – Local Touring and Finalising The EP
Benjalu performed a series og gigs relatively close to home throughout April/May 2009 while they finalised the mixing and mastering of their ‘Waterfalls’ EP. The EP was released on May 29 2009 at Queens Wharf Brewery, Newcastle.
Friday April 3 – Melodica Concert All Ages Youth Arts Warehouse Gosford
Saturday April 4 – Youth Rock Celebrates 21 Years- Starts 3pm (benjalu At 7pm) Event Finishes 10.30 $15 Door
Thursday April 9 – Crescent Head Country Club – NSW Easter Long – Weekend
Friday April 10 – Annandale Hotel Sydney With State Radio & Fisherking (door Charge)
Saturday April 11 – Laurieton Hotel – Laurieton NSW
Sunday April 12 – Lennox Head Tavern NSW – Lennox Head Further Details TBC
Wednesday April 22 – Round House Sydney Uni -(unsw – Beer Garden) Outdoors
Thursday April 23 – Armidale Club – Armidale ($5 Entry Thankyou)
Friday April 24 – Albert Hotel Tamworth
Thursday April 30 – The Brass Monkey- At Cronulla Supporting Paul Applekamp $14 Door (duo Acoustic)
Friday May 1 – Sussex Inlet Tavern NSW
Saturday May 2 – Penrith RSL Club – NSW With The Badloves + More TBC ($20 + Booking Fee)
Sunday May 3 – Bateau Bay Hotel (central Coast NSW) – Bateau Bay
Friday May 29 – Waterwalls Ep Launch – The Queens Wharf Brewery Newcastle – Nickson Wings At 10pm
June – Lizotte’s Newcastle Grand Opening
On Tuesday June 2, 2009, Benjalu played live at Lizotte’s Newcastle grand opening, sharing the stage with Diesel, Deni Hines, Beccy Cole and Jason Lowe.
Benjalu performed 3 of their songs in front of a packed venue and showed why they’re a band on the rise. Watch a sample of their performance in this video filmed & produced by Total Recall Films.
‘Waterfalls’ Spring Tour
Benjalu toured extensively around regional NSW to promote their Waterfalls EP. From June 2009 the band played 63 dates in a five month period, covering much of NSW and the ACT in the process.
Friday June 5 – Albion Hotel – Albury NSW
Saturday June 6 – Long Board Surf Cafe Dromana
Sunday June 7 – Globe Hotel – Deniliquin NSW
Thursday June 11 – The Pub – Bendigo Victoria ( With The Rockstsmiths, The Smoke) $6 On Door Thanks
Friday June 12 – Torquay Hotel – Victoria
Saturday June 13 – Powerhouse Hotel – Yallourn Victoria ($5 Tix On Door Thankyou)
Sunday June 14 – Elwood Lounge (duo Acoustic)- Elwood Victoria
Tuesday June 16 – Steyne Hotel – Manly NSW (acoustic 3 Piece Tonight)
Wednesday June 17 – Lizottes Live & Cookin At Lambton NSW Door Charge One Jonathon – Jason Lowe
Friday June 19 – Sussex Inlet Tavern NSW
Saturday June 20 – Northern Star Hamilton NSW Benjalu Full Show As Marty Simpson Unable To Play (free Entry)
Thursday June 25 – Belmore Hotel Maitland NSW
Wednesday July 8 – Jax Bar – Canadian Hotel At Mt Eliza Victoria ($7 Tix On Door Thanks)
Saturday July 11 – Long Board Surf Cafe Dromana Vic
Sunday July 12 – Private Function Mt Eliza – Victoria
Thursday July 16 – Armidale Club – Armidale NSW – Benjalu Live From 8pm ($5 Tix On Door)
Wednesday July 22 – EP Launch Lizottes C/coast $13.50 Supported By Kim Dewar All Ages With Adult
Saturday August 8 – The Oxford Tavern – Wollongong With Dimity Claire & The Bleeding Hearts
Friday August 14 – Lass O’Gowrie Hotel Wickham – With Vamp, Sketching Coto And Opei
Saturday August 15 – Lizotte’s Lambton – Benjalu Acoustic Supporting – Jon Stevens
Sunday August 16 – Lizotte’s Lambton – Acoustic Benjalu Supporting Jon Stevens
Wednesday August 19 – UTS Glasshouse Bar Broadway Syd (university Of Technology) With Jordan Millar & The Question
Saturday August 22 – Bay Hotel/motel – Bonnells Bay NSW
Friday August 28 – Armidale Club – Armidale NSW ($5 On Door) Support TBA
Saturday August 29 – Lennox Point Hotel – Lennox Head NSW
Monday August 31 – Railway Friendly Bar Hotel Byron Bay Acoustic & Relaxed
Tuesday September 1 – Railway Friendly Bar – Byron Bay NSW – Acoustic Show
Wednesday September 2 – Koala Bar – Noosa Queensland
Thursday September 3 – Billy’s Hotel – Gympie Sunshine Coast Queensland
Saturday September 5 – Private Corporate Function
Wednesday September 9 – Charles Stuart University Campus Wagga Wagga NSW With Solver
Friday September 11 – The Area Hotel – Griffith NSW – Acoustic Night With Solver
Saturday September 12 – The Area Hotel – Griffith NSW With Solver (lets Party)
Thursday September 17 – Sydney Ep Launch At Raval The Macquarie Hotel Surry Hills NSW (acoustic) Supports $12
Friday September 18 – Sussex Inlet Tavern – NSW
Saturday September 19 – Holy Grail – Kingston At Canberra ACT
Sunday September 20 – Perisher Mountain (out Front Of Jax Nightclub) – Smiggins Hotel – Smiggins Hole Near Perisher (staff Function Invite Only)
Wednesday September 23 – Albion Hotel Albury NSW
Friday September 25 – Romanos Hotel – Wagga Wagga NSW
Saturday September 26 – Astor Hotel Motel – Goulburn NSW
Sunday September 27 – Old Manly Boatshed – Manly NSW ($5 Entry)
Thursday October 1 – Macquarie Hotel + Supports TBA – Port Macquarie NSW
Friday October 2 – Sawtell Hotel – Sawtell NSW
Saturday October 3 – Armidale Club – Armidale NSW $5 Door + Supports TBA
Friday October 9 – Laurierton Hotel – Mid North Coast NSW
Saturday October 10 – Crescent Head Country Club NSW
Sunday October 11 – Manning Point Bowling Club NSW
Thursday October 15 – Coachman Hotel /motel -parks NSW
Friday October 16 – Lithgow Hotel – Lithgow NSW Supports To Be Advised.
Sunday October 18 – Old Manly Boat Shed – Manly NSW ($5 Tix Thanks)
Thursday October 22 – Golden Sheaf Hotel – Double Bay Sydney NSW
Friday October 23 – The Tea Club Nowra NSW $10 Tix General Admission
Saturday October 24 – The Tea Club Nowra NSW Supporting Justin Carter $10 Tix
Sunday October 25 – Bateau Bay Hotel – Bateau Bay NSW (on Stage At 3pm)
Thursday October 29 – Home Tavern ( $8 Tix On Door)- Wagga Wagga NSW
Friday October 30 – Albion Hotel – Albury NSW
Saturday October 31 – Jax Bar – Mt Eliza Victoria Charity Function – Everyone Welcome Come Support
Wednesday November 4 – Armidale Club Armidale NSW + Support TBA ($5 Door)
Thursday November 5 – Macquarie Hotel Port Maquarie With Juke Baritone And The Swap Dogs & Marisa Mars
Friday November 6 – – Town Green Inn – Port Maquarie NSW – Support TBA
Saturday November 7 – Albert Hotel- Tamworth NSW
Sunday November 8 – Grand Junction Hotel – Maitland NSW
Saturday November 14 – Lock N Load Bistro – West End Brisbane Qld
Wednesday November 18 – Koala Bar – Noosa Head Qld
Thursday November 19 – Beach Hotel – Byron Bay NSW
Friday November 20 – Illawong Hotel – Evans Head NSW
Friday November 27 – Marlin Hotel – Ulladulla NSW
Saturday November 28 – Bay Hote/motel – Bonnells Bay NSW
Sunday November 29 – Old Manly Boatshed – ($5 Tix) Manly NSW
Wednesday December 2 – Lizotte’s – ABC Music Awards Showcase – Zoe K & The Money Shot, Mark Wells, Stick Up Kids $23
Friday December 11 – Sussex Inlet Tavern – NSW
Saturday December 12 – Great Southern Inn Eden – NSW
Sunday December 13 – Imperial Hotel – Bombala NSW
Friday December 18 – Lizottes Lambton Newcastle Supporting Jon Stevens – Christmas Party
Saturday December 19 – Crescent Head Country Club Crescent Head NSW
Sunday December 20 – Laurieton Hotel – Laurieton NSW
Tuesday December 29 – Peats Ridge Music Festival – NSW On Stage 1.30pm – Performing On " Phoenix Satge"
Thursday December 31 – Peats Ridge Music Festival – NSW – On Stage 2pm – Performing On "phoenix Stage"
Thursday December 31 – NYE! Queens Wharf Brewery Newcastle With The Living End And Children Colide – $66 +BF
What an amazing year of performances, over 120 in total. Along with several accolades at the ABC Newcastle Music Awards and the successful release of their second EP, 2009 was indeed a huge year for Benjalu.
What’s In Store For Benjalu in 2010
Benjalu are not resting on their laurels. The band will continue their gruelling performance schedule throughout 2010 as they continue to promote their Waterfalls EP and win over new fans from all parts of Australia.
Throughout early January 2010 Benjalu will be playing a series of five events along the north coast of NSW before arriving at the Tamworth Country Music Festival on January 15.
Thursday January 7 – Grand Junction Hotel – Maitland NSW
Friday January 8 – Laurieton Hotel – Laurieton Mid North Coast NSW
Saturday January 9 – Illawong Hotel – Evans Head NSW
Sunday January 10 – Railway Hotel – Byron Bay NSW
Thursday January 14 – Macquarie Hotel – Port Macquarie NSW – Supporting Charlie Parr
Tamworth Country Music Festival
Friday January 15 – Longyard Hotel Tamworth NSW
Saturday January 16 – Armidale Club – Armidale NSW – Support Act To Be Advised
Sunday January 17 – Fitzroy Hotel – Tamworth
Sunday January 17 – West Diggers (SL) Club Tamworth With Chasing Bailey
Monday January 18 – Longyard Hotel With Marshall & The Fro
Monday January 18 – Imperial Hotel With Marshall & The Fro
Tuesday January 19 – Fitzroy Hotel Tamworth With Kim Churchill
Wednesday January 20 – Longyard Hotel With Marshall & The Fro
Thursday January 21 – Fitzroy Hotel Tamworth With Kim Churchill
Saturday January 23 – Fitzroy Hotel – Tamworth
February 2010
Benjalu also have a number of performances booked throughout February 2010.
For a complete list of their upcoming gigs visit their MySpace profile at myspace.com/benjalu.
Sunday January 24 – Royal Hotel Taree – Dual Show With The Do Pj Kevo
Saturday February 6 – Private Function
Wednesday February 10 – The Phoenix (Irish Pub) Canberra ACT
Friday February 12 – Torquay Hotel – Victoria ($5 Tix On Door Thanks)
Saturday February 13 – Private Function – Charity Cancer – Jax Bar Mt Eliza Victoria
Sunday February 14 – Elwood Lounge – Victoria
Thursday February 18 – Lizotte’s Central Coast Supporting Ross Wilson (founder Daddy Cool – Mondo Rock) 43682017 Tix
Friday February 19 – Lizotte’s Central Coast Supporting Ross Wilson Tix 43682017
Saturday February 20 – Lizotte’s – Newcastle Supporting Ross Wilson Ph Tix 49562066
Sunday February 21 – Lizotte’s – Newcastle Supporting Ross Wilson Ph Tix 49562066
For more information about Benjalu visit their website at www.benjalu.net.au.
Benjalu’s latest EP ‘Waterfalls’ is available on iTines.
Presented by Erina Fair and Radio 2GO, The Acoustic Awards are a competition inviting performers in genres that are popular to all ages and backgrounds. The grand final prize includes a 4 track EP recording, photo shoot, and a performing opportunity at Erina Fair in New South Wales, Australia.
A wide range of genres are accepted, but must be acoustic; mostly seeking blues, roots, jazz, classical, country, folk, burlesque, alternative, bluegrass and more. The competition will include solo artists, duos and acoustic bands. It will take place over a period of 9 weeks in The Hive area of Erina Fair Shopping Centre and will involve a minimum of 30 acts over that period. Judges will vary from week to week and will include music industry representatives and major sponsor representatives. The first heat will be on February 4th, 2010.
Acts will be encouraged to bring family and friends, as crowd response will be part of the judging criteria. Unlike the traditional “Battle of The Bands,” the Acoustic Awards will reach a broad and diverse population encompassing all ages from very young to very old, both for performers and audience.
The event is a competitive opportunity for exposure of acoustic musicians. This is a challenging, professional competition with reputable sponsors and credible organisers and judges. They encourage acoustic musicians of all ages and experience levels to apply.
Voiceless Entertainment … “offering a voice to the voiceless”
Voiceless Entertainment is a Hunter Valley based booking iniative that specialises in getting “grass roots” entertainment off the ground. As their roster grows they plan to cover a wider range of genres and begin booking gigs outside the Hunter region.
Throughout 2008 and 2009 Adam operated The Hunter Underground Magazine, a publication which focused on the promotion of original music from Newcastle and the Hunter Valley. “I’ve messing with a few ideas of how I could contribute to the local music community”, Adam explained, “stage 1 was The Underground Magazine, which hopfully will return.”
Together they wish to celebrate the up-coming 2010 launch of Voiceless Entertainment by putting on a small run of live shows and meet the hard working local bands. “With Sy’s enthusiasm, experience and kind nature i feel this concept has the potential to have a positive influence on music, 100% original artist booking and development” Adam said.
Below is a list of some of the shows they are organising in Early 2010:
Voiceless Entertainment is looking for enthusiastic bands who are keen to get themselves out into the live music scene, develope their live show and move forward. Any artists that wish to get involved and get themselves out there should contact us with expression’s of interest via:
Central Coast based band After The Fall burst onto the Australian music scene in 2004 releasing their self-titled debut of that year, with tracks such as “Mirror Mirror”, “Room For One More” & “Sunshine Showers”.
Rolling Stone Magazine named it one of the Top 50 Albums of the year. After The Fall was also welcomed into triple J’s Hottest 100.
By late March 05, After The Fall was back in the studio recording their second album “Always Forever Now”. The album featured “Concrete Boots” & “The Fighter”. Once again After The Fall received huge support scoring Triple J’s illustrious “album of the week” as well being added once again to MTV, CHV and Nova FM.
Years of almost relentless touring followed before After The Fall’s third album [IN] EXILE was released earlier this year through legendary rock label Roadrunner Records.
“[In] Exile cements the quartet’s maturity and musical splendour. Less urgent than earlier efforts, all 11 songs are threaded together by frontman Ben Windsor’s gentle vocals and Mark Warner’s considered riffs. Gliding smoothly from song to song”. **** Rolling Stone Magazine
Recently the band received the MySpace exclusive “clip of the week” for their latest single ‘Desire’, a fantastic slice of pure pop/rock perfection. The same wizards who brought us the incredible Empire Of The Sun clips produced the video.
Having shared billing with Calling All Cars on a recent tour, After The Fall return to headline status on a tour of intimate rooms along the East Coast including the following local shows:
Singer Beccy Cole has earned 3 gold records and won countless awards including 7 Golden Guitars, all for singing Country Music. Beccy’s passion for the genre began as a youngster listening to Dolly Parton but when you peruse Beccy’s list of influences, the edge with which she has delivered her Country is better explained.
Apart from the appeal of the music, Beccy says the attraction is also to “Strong women with something to say.”
A close inspection of some of Beccy’s later recordings will reveal that she continues to hold these influences with versions of Carole King’s Natural Woman, 4 non Blonde’s What’s Up, Fleetwood Mac’s Say You Love Me and her haunting version of The Divinyls’ Pleasure and Pain which gained major radio airplay.
The success of these recordings have lead to The Sheila Sessions: A series of shows presenting Beccy with selected successful and talented women that feature new versions of some very memorable moments in female song history.
A very valuable addition to The Sheila Sessions is Beccy’s close friend and similarly influenced, Newcastle Sheila, Kate Ballantyne.
Kate’s accolades include Songwriters awards, two Golden Guitars, a MO award, an Independent Music Award, a major recording deal with Sony/BMG, numerous television performances, and collaboration with Jimmy Barnes and Troy Cassar-Daly. Alone and with beautiful vocal group, Bella, Kate deserves the amazing reputation that precedes her.
Also part of the Shelia Sessions is Chris E. Thomas. Although well known for her work as a session singer with a variety of artists including Wendy Matthews, Tina Arena, Brian Cadd and Adam Brand, it is Chris E’s trademark powerful voice and dynamic stage presence that sets her apart from her contemporaries. Chris E is also more than dab hand on guitar, mandolin and ukulele making her one of the most sought-after musicians for both live and studio gigs.
The likes of amazing female artists such as Pat Benetar, Chrissy Amphlett, Dolly Parton, Cher, Annie Lennox, The Indigo Girls, Stevie Nicks, Chrissy Hymde, Sheryl Crowe and many more have played a part in shaping these three amazing performers into the inspiring individual talents they are today. The Sheila Sessions pay tribute to these artists in their own unique (and sometimes comical) way.
In short, 3 women on stools with guitars playing some very cool versions of some very cool songs, telling stories of early influences and adding originals that complete the stories.
Both Beccy, Kate and Chris E are known for their high energy and razor sharp wit; this is not excluded from The Sheila Sessions.
So ask Beccy if The Sheila Sessions is a Country show and she’ll say … “Not really, but you can’t take the Country out of the girl …”
After a recent “sell-out” show at Lizottes (Newcastle), Chris E Thomas, Beccy Cole and Kate Ballantyne aka “The Sheila Sessions” want to thank their amazing fans and friends for their support (and fodder for on stage antics!!) by offering these rare “show only Sessions”.
Tickets are a bargain at $20.00 and available from the club or on the night.
Since forming on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast in 2003, The Scare have partied hard and toured even harder. They’ve flown around the world by the seat of their pants, survived in the freezing back alleys of Birmingham, England, sleeping on couches or on floors or in gutters. They returned to Australia and released their full-length debut, Chivalry in 2007, only to have it fall largely upon deaf ears, thrusting the group into a period of intense self-scrutiny.
A close inspection of some of Beccy’s later recordings will reveal that she continues to hold these influences with versions of Carole King’s Natural Woman, 4 non Blonde’s What’s Up, Fleetwood Mac’s Say You Love Me and her haunting version of The Divinyls’ Pleasure and Pain which gained major radio airplay.
