Friday 16 March 2012 8.30pm Booking No. 6 $32/$26
Mechanics Institute
Doors Open: 7.45pm
BEN SOLLEE
Ben Sollee is one of the most interesting and unusual artists to emerge
in recent years from the US. He is a genre-bending cellist and vocalist
known for his percussive playing style, genre hopping songwriting,
wide appeal, and political activism. His music incorporates banjo,
guitar, percussion and unusual cello techniques to create a unique
mix of folk, bluegrass, R & B and jazz. As one reviewer has stated,
he 'plays it like a rock star'; alternatively picking and bowing it
so that it sounds like any number of different instruments. He also
has a beautiful, soulful voice and a wonderful sense of pop melody.
All this combined makes for the most uniquely talented young artist
in acoustic circles today. He is also by way of an activist and in
addition to his work in regards to Mountain Top Removal coal mining
(a cause recently taken up by Emmylou Harris as well), Ben is also
known to go on cycle tours - he cycles from town to town - to bring
attention to his country's over-reliance on the motor vehicle (a theme
also reflected in the wonderful 'Bury Me In My Car'). This is one
seriously motivated young man.
"This guy has it all: the singing, the playing, the songwriting.
Here's hoping the world is wise enough to welcome his music with
open arms."
- Silas House for No Depression
BEN SALTER
Ben Salter was brought up in Townsville and moved to Brisbane to
follow his musical aspirations, he soon was part of a succession
of important bands, Giants of Science, the celebrated Gin Club and
The Wilson Pickers. Amidst all this and in parallel he was writing
and recording his solo material. He has recently arrived in Melbourne
to pursue a solo career and has released his amazing debut album
The Cat, his first under his own name, recorded and produced with
Gareth Liddiard and Robert F. Cranny. The Cat will surely be marked
as huge milestone for Ben, as will his move into the 'folk singer'
mode, his vocals are superb with a very impressive range (which
allows for some very interesting covers when it suites him) and
his writing among the most oblique, moving and honest you'll hear.
Enjoy the two Bens in the most intimate of seated venues, no distractions,
no surround pub noise just two superb contemporary performers.
"I firmly believe Ben to be one of the world's great singers,
and if I weren't so goddamn competitive, one of its great songwriters."
- Tim Rogers
Brunswick
Music Festival AUSTRALIA'S ONLY INNER CITY FESTIVAL
OF
FOLK ROOTS AND WORLD MUSIC...
PO Box 477, Brunswick VIC 3056, Australia
Phone +61 3 9387 3376 - Fax +61 3 9380 8234
- Email johnbmf@vicnet.net.au Booking Office and Tickets 9388 1460
