2026 · Blues Bytes
Interview by Bob Gordon
What’s the best thing about playing festivals?
I'm going to say the best thing is going to great new places and sharing the experience with my band. They are great guys and we have a fun time hanging out.
Do you have a Blues at Bridgetown experience that you’d like to share, either performing or as an audience member?
Grant (Cummerford, bass) and Tim (Burnham, drums) have toured a lot, but I have never been to WA, so I'm really looking forward to getting over there and hitting the road to Bridgetown. Bring it on!
Where do you feel you fit in musically along the blues and roots scale?
I think our niche in Melbourne has been our boogie – John Lee Hooker and R.L. Burnside songs. Dirty blues with some slide guitar! But we rock out when we need to and might throw in some reggae or funk if the audience looks like they're in the mood. The great thing about a trio is that we can turn on a dime and change things up in the middle of a song. Grant and Tim have been playing together as a rhythm section for years, so they have great musical telepathy. Makes my job easy!
What have been the highlights of your music career thus far?
Reaching the finals at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis for me. We all paid our dues, slogging it out in the pubs for a long time…
What have you been mainly focussing on in 2026 and how is it coming along?
2026 started with our trip to Memphis and things have been pretty busy since then with lots of gigs and festivals. Vehind the scenes we've been finishing off our debut album. We should have it actually pressed by early November.
What are your plans and hopes for 2027?
This year has been amazing and has opened doors I thought would always remain shut. I'm excited to see what the future hold.
What can folks expect from your performances at Bridgetown?
People can expect a band that digs in. Expect rawness and emotion. We take creative risks and somehow my rhythm section always lands it. I'm gonna strangle the guitar for you!
