First Round of 2012 Artists

Casey Donovan

Casey Donovan’s spectacular voice has been enjoyed by sell-out crowds across the country. With her new Big Beautiful & Sexy show Casey, a Gumbangirr woman, is well and truly on song with this celebration of her own impressive new material alongside a retrospective of the women who have inspired her.

Big, Beautiful & Sexy features Casey’s powerful vocals performing hits from some of the music industry’s iconic Big, Beautiful & Sexy women, including Aretha Franklin, Mama Cass and more.

A winner of prestigious ARIA and Deadly Awards, Casey Donovan starred in the hit cabaret production of The Sapphires; shared the stage with music legend Cyndi Lauper on her Australian Tour; and most recently commenced rehearsals for the role of Mama Cass in the new Australian musical Flowerchildren.

Big, Beautiful & Sexy gives you the chance to get to know one of this country’s most outstanding musical talents as she shares anecdotes about her inspiring journey from TV singing contestant to acclaimed Big, Beautiful & Sexy showgirl.

Stiff Gins

Stiff Gins Nardi Simpson and Kaleena Briggs also met at the Eora College and formed back in 1990’s Kaleena is from the Wiradjuri and Yorta Yorta people, southern NSW and northern Victoria people, Nardi is from the Yuwaalaraay people with roots in Sydney’s inner west and country NSW.

They have travelled the world, received prestigious awards, and created a loyal fan base with their heart songs and emotive performances. They’ve performed for troops in the Middle East and remote communities in Australia, and developed a musical friendship that has transformed them both.

Now, with their new album Wind & Water, they have perfected a sound that honours the raw power of their voices and their history while leading them firmly into the future of Australian music.

Microwave Jenny

Part of Triple J Unplugged and based on the central coast of NSW Microwave Jenny’s is a genre-defying style. Brendon Boney and Tessa Nukul combine heart-felt, blues influenced guitar and vocals. Believing strongly in the importance of an artist’s independence, they have been running their career completely on their own and learning plenty along the way.

Already a festival favourite performing at Bluesfest, The Woodford Folk Festival, The Dreaming Festival, The Darwin Festival, Nannup Music Festival and The Australasian World Music Expo (AWME).

 

The Black Turtles

Returning to country, Black Turtles member Troy Russell is a Biripi man. Finding its beginnings at the Eora College of Performing Arts in Redfern Sydney, The Black Turtles have had a luminous career spanning almost 15years.

They fuse an urban contemporary sound with a traditional roots, reggae and rockabilly edge. Influences include John Fogerty, Ry Cooder and Warumpi Band.