Benz World Blog » Singer

Allison Russell

Jason Benz — Mon, 30 Sep 2024 21:45:09 +0000

Elenna Canlas(left) and Allison Russell(right) on the Mojo stage at the 2023 Bluesfest in Australia.

As sure as Canucks like hockey, Allison is the most I have listened to a Canadian since Alanis Morissette, …which was… 30 years ago! Yikes, now I feel old. I didn’t realise until Bluesfest that Allison had launched a solo album. I was still listening to the outstanding third “Birds of Chicago” studio album “Love in Wartime” which I have played more than any other music in the last few years.

It turns out “Birds of Chicago” is on “indefinite hiatus” I feared this might be a euphemism for the swan song of my favourite pigeon pair. What would the Canada warbler sound like without the swift grackle and chickadee of JT Nero’s guitar sounds? The loss of their perfect blend of harmony, melody, texture and rhythm could be a jagged little pill to swallow wren my favourite song sparrow turns a new leaf.

I got hold of Allison Russell’s first solo album “Outside Child”

The lyrics tell very personal stories. I was happy to discover musically the album is an evolution from “Birds of Chicago” rather than a complete break. JT Nero is listed as one of the writers and sings a charming duet with his wife called “Joyful Motherfuckers” The music is like “Birds of Chicago” at a relaxed pace with a greater focus on Allison’s powerfully emotive voice and her transcendence from her early life.

“Birds of Ontario” may be closer, JT Nero’s midwestern tones are largely absent and in more than half the songs Allison taps into her inner maple syrup sipper when she slips in and out of French as she sings. I can’t wait to hear that beautiful voice one more time, while she also leads the charge to make clarinet music cool again. Allison Russell has been confirmed for the final Byron Bay Bluesfest at Easter 2025, tickets are available via the Bluesfest Website.

UPDATE: In 2026 Bluesfest will be the last in a line of major festivals closed from increasing headwinds. This began before covid, with the previous state government’s legislative “war on festivals“. The new government risks letting this trend continue through inaction. However, you can change this. If 20,000 signatures are received, the NSW Parliament must debate Bluesfest’s future. #savebluesfest if you live in the state Sign up here. For everyone else, there is an international petition on change.org Sign up here.

UPDATE: Due to the success of Bluesfest 2025, its future has been confirmed. Discounted early bird tickets for the 2026 festival are available here.

Jamaican Ska

Jason Benz — Mon, 23 Sep 2024 02:55:37 +0000

Legendary Pat Powell (Patou) with the awesome Melbourne Ska Orchestra at the 2014 Blues on Broadbeach Festival. Patou is a British-born Jamaican who moved to Australia. We have likely spent a similar amount of time in all 3 countries. That is all I can claim to have in common, as no matter how much roots music I listen to, I’m still a short skinny white guy. His globe-trotting did not end there. He has sung on the biggest stages and recorded all over the world. Only a legend can get paid to watch Kylie Minogue dance. His voice is as deep, warm and smooth as he looks. You have probably heard him without realising. He is like the James Earl Jones of singing.

This photo is from the early stage of the Melbourne Ska Orchestra when they had just released their first album. Since then they have released six more studio albums, including in 2018 when they released one song a week for a whole year. Impressive for a 34-piece band. That 1 year produced 4 albums which are a homage to the original Ska movement which grew from sound system culture in Jamaica.

The speed of music production is phenomenal.

This website started 20 years ago with reggae festivals in Jamaica. Every week before we knew the No.1 US song, a local band would have arranged and recorded a reggae/ska version and had it in the shops before anyone heard the original. New tunes were just as quick. When Hurricane Ivan passed by. The song telling the story of that hurricane was on the radio before the hurricane made landfall. Since MSO mastered the ska skill of rapid recording, they created a large body of work in a short time. Now they are out of the studio and ready to party.

I highly recommend you see them live if you get the chance.

The Melbourne Ska Orchestra have been confirmed for the final Byron Bay Bluesfest at Easter 2025, tickets are available via the Bluesfest Website.

UPDATE: I had a chat with Pat. He told me he met the Melbourne Ska Orchestra at Bluesfest as he was hired by Bluesfest to drive the artists bus. Proof it is more than a festival, it does change lives. One more reason to #savebluesfest

UPDATE: Due to the success of Bluesfest 2025, its future has been confirmed. Discounted early bird tickets for the 2026 festival are available here.

Leesa Gentz

Jason Benz — Mon, 01 Apr 2024 11:59:31 +0000

This is Leesa Gentz, who, along with Julz Parker, makes up the core of the folk/country/rock band Hussy Hicks. Here they are opening the Crossroads stage on the final day of Bluesfest 2024 in Byron Bay, Australia. These local ladies are from Lismore, making the festival their home ground. 2 years ago, during the all too regular “once in a lifetime floods”, the girls had their home and studio completely submerged by water. Despite this major setback, they showed remarkable ingenuity by getting an old mobile broadcast van and building a studio inside it. Next time the water arrives, they can drive all their equipment up to the nearest dry hill outside Lismore. I know it will work because that is how I escaped those floods. That hill became an island for about a week. Then it all happened again a few weeks later.

UPDATE: Due to the success of Bluesfest 2025 and #savebluesfest, the festival’s future has been confirmed. Hussy Hicks will return to the festival in 2026. Tickets are available via the Bluesfest Website.

Bluesfest 2026

Susan Tedeschi

Jason Benz — Sat, 30 Mar 2024 12:59:49 +0000

This is the Tedeschi Trucks Band headlining the Mojo stage on day 3 of Bluesfest 2024 in Byron Bay, Australia. Susan Tedeschi pictured singing, although she was not alone, by the end of the set almost half the band had been lead singer, including Mike Mattison who originally sang in The Derek Trucks Band before they fused with Susan’s band to form Tedeschi Trucks. 2 more days of music, ticket available via the Bluesfest Website.

Roshani Everett

Jason Benz — Fri, 03 Nov 2023 12:19:13 +0000

This is multi-instrumentalist Roshani opening the Delta stage on the first day of Bluesfest 2022. The level of energy and excitement from artists and audience at that first post-covid festival was beyond anything I have seen before, and that includes a dozen Glastonbury festivals.

I am cautious using the word “talent” when describing musicians, as it ignores the hard work they put in. Roshani has a rich, powerful, soulful voice which could be the star of any band, but her talents don’t end there.

While travelling and living in her van she developed a one woman show with the creative use of loop pedals and various music tech. Roshani is the modern version of a one-woman band. (image download here)

Roshani will return one last time for the final Byron Bay Bluesfest in Easter 2025. Tickets are available via the Bluesfest Website.

UPDATE: Due to the success of Bluesfest 2025, its future has been confirmed. Roshani will return to the festival in 2026. Tickets are available via the Bluesfest Website.

Byron Bay Bluesfest 2026
1st artist reveal

19 Twenty

Jason Benz — Wed, 23 Aug 2023 01:19:56 +0000

This is power trio 19-Twenty on the Delta stage at Bluesfest 2023. Imagine a mix of ZZ Top and The White Stripes with an Aussie twist. Like Jimi Hendrix, the band is built around the considerable guitar skills of lead singer, Kane Dennelly. Also like Hendrix, the role of the bass and drums should not be underestimated, John Gwilliam and Jeremy Berg do an excellent job of taking already powerful grooves and pushing them into overdrive. As well as giving the guitar room to shine, they can each take the lead. The chance to see a double bass solo should not be missed. When these “Masters of the Riff” are not banging out high-energy electric blues with a folk edge to cheering crowds, they have produced a chilled Sunday arvo studio number with what can only be called an Australian Supergroup, teaming up with Lachy Doley and Hussy Hicks to record What A Night. (image download here). It is great to hear that 19-Twenty has been confirmed for the 2024 festival. There are rumours of guest musicians appearing at that performance.

UPDATE: 19-Twenty will return one last time for the final Byron Bay Bluesfest in Easter 2025, tickets are available via the Bluesfest Website.

UPDATE: Due to the success of Bluesfest 2025, its future has been confirmed. 19-Twenty will return to the festival in 2026. Tickets are available via the Bluesfest Website.

Byron Bay Bluesfest 2026
1st artist reveal

Steve Poltz

Jason Benz — Wed, 16 Aug 2023 00:04:32 +0000

This is singer-songwriter and eccentric comedian Steve Poltz on the Delta stage at Bluesfest 2023 in New South Wales, Australia. Poltz had played the previous day on the Mojo stage and word spread through the festival that this guy was worth checking out. This creative Canadian loves to try new things. Moments before he started the gig, he saw a large box on wheels backstage that he could fit in, so he asked the stagehands to wheel him out to begin the show. He emerged like a magician’s assistant all while playing his guitar. (image download here).

I was glad to hear Steve Poltz has been confirmed in the first line-up announcement for the 2024 festival. Tickets are available via the Byron Bay Bluesfest Website.

UPDATE: Steve Poltz will return to the festival in 2026. Tickets are available via the Bluesfest Website.

Byron Bay Bluesfest 2026
1st artist reveal

Counting Crows

Jason Benz — Sat, 08 Apr 2023 13:59:19 +0000

This is Adam Duritz of the Counting Crows taking the audience of the Mojo stage back in time at Bluesfest in Byron Bay, Australia. In the early 90′s when Grunge was busy reviving the bones of Punk, one band from San Francisco, California, took the road less travelled by. Adam looked to the troubadours, like Bob Dylan and Van Morrison, and decided to keep the art of storytelling alive with vivid imagery and heartfelt lyrics. The music has a timeless quality. They have remained on my playlist for 30 years because, like wine, they only improve with age.

Adam’s current favourite band is Gang of Youths, who headlined last night at Bluesfest. Adam also sang on their latest album.

2 more days of music, the sun is out, and tickets are available via the Bluesfest Website.

UPDATE: The Counting Crows will return to the festival in 2026. Tickets are available via the Bluesfest Website.

Byron Bay Bluesfest 2026
1st artist reveal

Spinifex Gum

Jason Benz — Thu, 06 Apr 2023 13:59:41 +0000

This is Spinifex Gum charming the audience on the Crossroads stage at Bluesfest 2023 in Byron Bay. This teenage indigenous female choir draws on musicians and stories from every corner of Australia. Melbourne-based Felix Riebl and Ollie McGill from The Cat Empire produce the music to tell stories of the Yindjibarndi people from the Pilbara in WA. They are brought to life by the Marliya Choir based in Cairns in far North QLD. The band are fearless in shining a light on issues facing Australia’s First Nations people. The choir singers are individually mic’d which gives them freedom of movement which traditional choir setups do not have. This song, called Sisters, comes from their second album of the same name released in 2019.

Spinifex Gum has one more show on the Mojo stage on Friday. Tickets still available via the Bluesfest Website.

Mavis Staples

Jason Benz — Sat, 24 Sep 2022 23:00:32 +0000

This is Mavis Staples with guitarist Rick Holmstrom on the Jambalaya stage at Bluesfest 2017. I found this image in the archive because she will be returning to Australia for Bluesfest 2023 next easter.

The opportunity to see the last great matriarch of music should not be missed. Mavis Staples is woven into the fabric of music history in America’s deep south and her rich golden voice has been heard all over the world.

Tickets are available via the Bluesfest Website.