TARERER ~ Artists

2008 PROGRAM

NO FIXED ADDRESS

First Victorian Performance- Iconic Aboriginal Band

The seminal Aboriginal rock/reggae outfit NO FIXED ADDRESS have reunited after 20 years and are set to celebrate the survival of Aboriginal Australia.

Performing Saturday and Sunday at the Tarerer Festival

DAN SULTAN
Dan Sultan was born with pure and extraordinary talent and is quickly gaining the momentum and recognition that he deserves. He was nominated for a 2006 Deadly's Award “Most Promising New Talent”, invited by Paul Kelly to contribute to a Kev Carmody tribute album and identified by John Butler who has funded Dan’s debut album through The JB Seed program. The debut album 'Homemade Biscuits' is an accomplished album displaying versatility of talent with exceptional vocals that range from deep and velvet soulful yearnings to soaring heights reminiscent of Jeff Buckley.

www.dans ultan.com.au

JOHN SPILLANE

Direct from Cork Ireland- a voice full of honesty, commitment and sensitivity, Spillanes songs and performances capture the brilliant and elusive heart of the Irish imagination

'...some of the most skillfully crafted, vivid ely realized songs anyone has written in Ireland over the past dozen years' Earle Hitchner, premier writer/reviewer for Irish Echo and The Wall Street Journal

www.johnspillane.ie

www.myspace.com/johnspillane

SOL NATION

Sol Nation are a 7 piece outfit mixing superb musicianship with a charismatic stage presence that creates an exuberant, colourful and exciting show. The music draws its influences from Indigenous and Jamaican reggae, traditional East Timorese folksong and African beats.

Sol Nation is a unique Australian musical experience

www.myspace.com/solnation

Amy is best known as a member of Tiddas - That feisty trio of sisters who brought Indigenous women centre stage from 1990 to 2000. The name Tiddas indeed means sister and as a word brought aboriginal language and life into the broad Australian vernacular. Their friend Ruby Hunter, another extraordinary Indigenous songstress. came up with the name. Amy has been having a rest from the hurly burly by coming back to her country - South West Victoria. Snuggling in a fibre shack by the sea, chickens, beach walking. Getting in touch with self.

Back in country after 20 years, says Amy.

Most recently Amy has been involved with "The Long Walk to the G" where she joined Archie Roach, Shane Howard and Dave Arden on Stage to sing for reconciliation and the The Black Arm Band tour of the UK.

www.blackarmband.com.au

DJIVA

A high energy 5 piece Australian Indigenous contemporary rock band. Djiva's line-up consists of two strong front female vocalists with a tight back line who perform an intense selection of original material.

Their songs exhibit an earthy sensuality, an independence of spirit and a fresh contemporary feel. The voices of the two women blend with the ease of old friends, creating a vocal palette rich in colour and texture.

Based in Perth WA, they are two women, two voices, too deadly.

www.djiva.net

RORY ELLIS

“When the big fella opens up his chest and lets fly with that lusty, rumbling voice, even then it's as if he's pulling back on the reins in fear of what might happen to innocent bystanders - it's that potent. Jeff Glorified The Melbourne Age

Rory has spent many years touring locally and internationally taking inspiration from suburban street culture, some of the seedier Melbourne pubs he has worked in, not just as a performer, regular glimpses of the Melbourne underworld, people he’s loved, lost, and from his own eventful life, rich in contrast. Audiences at Rory’s numerous festival appearances and more intimate performances have been captivated by his powerful vocal command and subtle acoustic instrumentation that bring the vivid stories to life.

www.myspace.com/roryellis65

A young Gunditjmara singer/songwriter from Melbourne. Soulful rock which can vary across a variety of influences in rock, country and blues. Check out Jayden's myspace site to hear his songs - 'Survival Song' and 'Keep on Walking'

Patrica Clarke is a singer/songwriter of the Gunditjmara/Kirrae Whurrong, Her album, "Keep the Fires Burning" was launched at the 2003 Tarerer festival. Patricia is also a founding member (along with Shane Howard) of the Tarerer Gunditj Project Association Inc. organisers of the Tarerer Festival.

Lee Morgan's band is a high energetic mix of rhythm, melody and great stories to tell. Drawing on his Indigenous and Welsh roots Lee portrays the many tales of life and love and the human condition.

Brett is a local Gunditjmara/ Kirrae Whurrong man whose songs have a strong cultural and environmental theme. He has been writing for the last 15 years, drawing on the words and wisdom of his late Grandfather Banjo Clarke. Brett has played at various festivals & community events around Victoria, including Port Fairy Folk Festival and Apollo Bay Music Festival.

Confident with culture and politically aware beyond their years, Tjimba and the Yung Warriors’, launching their new album as a manifesto for all young blak men.

With original beats, words and music a new voice from blak Australia. Their song ‘From my heart and for my people’ is already getting pre release radio airplay in Melbourne, Alice Springs, Kalgoorlie and Cairns. The title track Warrior For Life, is a declaration to Indigenous youth, .... ‘hold ur head up cos there’s always something good out there’’. Tjimba says

Tjimba Possum-Burns and Danny Ramzan who penned all the raps and songs are grandsons of renown visual artist Clifford Possum Tjapaltjari. Tjimba’s brother Narjic Day Burns completes the Yung Warrior line up.

Herb Patten was born in 1943 and spent his early years in a small town called Numeralla, near Orbost, in south-east Victoria. Part of the Ganai-Kurnai tribes of the Gippsland area, Herb is also descended from the Yorta Yorta and Wiradjuri groups from the surrounding country. Herb taught himself to play the leaf when he was about eight years of age, after hearing his great-uncle blowing a leaf in the bush near where the family lived. Since then, Herb has become a skilled and passionate exponent of this form of music. With academic Robin Ryan and others, he has also researched and written about the history of gumleaf playing in Australia.

After supporting acts such as Xavier Rudd, Chris Wilson & Shane Howard as a solo artist, Steven Garner has organised a band of players to bring out the best in his Acoustic Laidback folk/rock sound. Playing at festivals like Tarerer, Wunta, Queenscliff and The Port Fairy Folk festival has gathered the five piece a warm and appreciative audience along the way wherever the stage may be.

The Connies is a performance troupe born of the rich 112 year tradition of Melbourne's Tram Conductors. We continue the rites of bag and tickets and pass out information .Connie Cards are collectable swap cards with information about the environment , there are many in each series, and much to learn, children and adults alike get so much from the Connies.

Kenbi Dancers from the Northern Territory performing for the first time at Tarerer & who at the recent 2007