Introducing Rob Hirst & Dom Turner, the dirty, amped-up, fuzzed-out guitar/drum outfit who are “the Angry Tradesmen” Their debut album, ‘Beat the House’, was made independently, with zero assistance from their friends in low places (except for James Cadsky’s mighty mixing and William Bowden’s magic mastering). The simple idea, spawned in the 90’s, has devolved into a monster. After an urgent frenzy of song-smithing and demo-ing, the Angry Tradesmen have arrived.
Visit Angry Tradesmen: Website
In what might at first seem an unlikely union, the three founding members of Midnight Oil are joined by Brian Ritchie bass player of US band Violent Femmes. The Oils of course have their roots in the surf pubs of Sydney’s Northern Beaches. The Femmes on the other hand hail from Milwaukee Wisconsin. What is not so well known however is that the two bands have shared a history, a friendship and even a tour manager for over a decade, having met when they both played the inaugural ‘Earth Day’ concert at Columbia’s ‘Merriweather Post Pavilion’.
Visit The Break: Website
Working as a Guitar/Harmonica duo, Dom Turner (Backsliders) and Ian Collard (Collard, Greens & Gravy) strip the music back to it’s rural beginnings. At the heart of their sound is the north Mississippi hill-country music of Mississippi Fred McDowell and Johnny Woods mixed in with the pre-war blues sounds of artists such as Skip James, Blind Willie Mc Tell and Leadbelly.
Visit Dom Turner & Ian Collard: Facebook | Myspace | YouTube
Rob Hirst & Dom Turner collaborate on “Joseph Roe Saving the Kimberley”. Buy Joseph Roe – Single by Rob Hirst & Dom Turner on iTunes now – Single for just $2.19.
Visit Rob Hirst & Dom Turner: YouTube
In September 2008, Australian blues guitarist Dom Turner travelled to Hanoi Vietnam to collaborate with blind Vietnamese virtuoso, Kim Sinh. In this Insights HD video, Dom reflects on the experience and the musical overlap between Vietnam’s “cai luong” musical tradition and the the blues.
Visit Dom Turner and Kim Sinh: YouTube
Dom’s live troup, Supro are essentially a vehicle to showcase songs written for “Electro Vee” album. The sound is definitely blues based, with a heavy electric slide guitar focus, however, surf sounds, bayou, delta and zydeco creep in creating more of an eclectic mix that any one genre.
Rob Hirst and Rick Grossman return with the strongest ever Ghostwriters line-up: ex-Midnight Oil man Martin Rotsey on guitar, Lee Moloney on drums (Diesel, Lost Gospel), and producer/guitarist DC (Beau Young) on guitar/keys.
Visit Ghostwriters: Website
When the percussive song writing soul of Midnight Oil, Rob Hirst meets ex Olympian singer/songwriter troubadour Paul Greene the vocal chemistry is electric. Hirst & Greene perform beautifully crafted songs that invoke thoughts of surf, sun, politics and passion. In 2000 Paul Greene met Midnight Oil drummer Rob Hirst and ex-Hoodoo Gurus bassist Rick Grossman through the Olympic Record CD project that brought athletes and musicians together He ended up joining their band the Ghostwriters, exchanging the world of a struggling athlete for the world of a struggling muso. He likes to do it tough. “Rick and I, being the opportunists that we are, purloined Paul to the Ghosties, knowing that his golden voice would be an enormous asset,” says Hirst.
Drum and percussion virtuoso Rob Hirst (Midnight Oil, Ghostwriters, Hirst & Greene, Angry Tradesmen), an acclaimed name synonymous with the best of Australian music, has been with backsliders since 2000. Midnight Oil’s notoriety needs no explanation, and Rob’s talents have melded perfectly into the band. Rob Hirst is a founding member of Midnight Oil. He was the drummer, songwriter, and backing singer for 25 years. In 2003 he published his first work of prose on Pan McMillan – ‘Willies Bar & Grill’ which is the story of Midnight Oil’s USA & Canadian tour just after September 11.
Visit Midnight Oil: Website
Acclaimed for their gritty, driving, down home-sound, Collard Greens and Gravy play a mostly original repertoire of foot stomping country blues that would sound right at home in a Mississippi Juke Joint.
Featuring Ian Collard (vocals, harmonica and guitar) James Bridges (guitar and fiddle) and Anthony Shortte (Drums), Collard Greens and Gravy have been together since 1995.
Visit the Collard Greens and Gravy: Website
Broderick Smith has been a clerk, storeman, soldier, advertising copywriter, graphic artist and actor, as well as a singer-songwriter. Broderick sings, plays harmonica and guitar. He writes his own material and performs other songwriter’s material as well. His stage and TV experience enables him to communicate with any audience.
Broderick started playing folk and blues music back in 1962. Leaving school and having a variety of jobs, he joined legendary Blues outfit the Adderley Smith Blues Band
Visit Brod Smith: Website