About this Event

ZEPTEPI





Foot-stomping celtic folk-rock... tales of the sea, death, love and rebellion



Zeptepi first appeared in 2001, begun as a solo project by songwriter Phil Dean. Born in England, Phil comes from a long-line of Cornish sailors and fisherman, and migrated to Australia at the turn of the century. The band have now released five albums on their own label – Travelling Through Time (2005), Universality (2007), Stormclouds (2010), Winter in the Blood and The Beginning (2012).



In 2012 Zeptepi released their fourth album Winter in the Blood – originally intended as an acoustic EP, it soon became a full album and presented a different side of the band. Based around the guitar/banjo/fiddle, it is a more laid back folky affair, representative of the large number of shows the band now perform in this stripped back guise. Zeptepi toured relentlessly and appeared at the Yackandandah Folk Festival, Echuca Celtic Festival and the Koroit Irish Festival, before taking a break in June – but not before they’d filmed a special live show in Yarraville for a future live DVD release.



The second half of 2012 has seen the band step up again… following the release of a compilation album The Beginning, a new line-up was recruited. Featuring long-time cohort Bernie Dodd on drums and CC Thornley on banjo, coupled with new young recruits Claire Johnstone (fiddle) and Patrick Lyons (bass), this is the best Zeptepi yet seen. As we come into 2013 the new band are about to record an EP and continue regular live shows – festivals already confirmed for 2013 include Echuca Celtic Festival and Koroit Irish Festival. A UK tour is also beckoning for the band in its acoustic trio guise, and the band have been nominated for three awards at the inaugural Australian Celtic Music Awards.



Proud of their independent status and turning into their own little cottage industry, after over 200 gigs Zeptepi have developed into one of the country's finest live acts, with an energy onstage matched by few others.



BATELEURS



"Really good songs, properly played and sung - no unnecessary packaging or over production...If this was food it would be sort of organic, free range, straight from a good road side farm shop!" - Nick Mason (Pink Floyd)

Biography

Bateleurs are a contemporary but authentic, five piece Folk Rock band. The band have a unique sound - featuring superb lead vocals, effortless three part vocal harmonies, a rock solid rhythm section, guitars, mandolins and sublime fiddle playing - it’s no wonder they count Nick Mason of Pink Floyd as a fan.



The bands set is delicate in parts and raucous in others but the intensity in each song, matched by the band’s obvious delight in entertaining, never wavers with a change in style or tempo.



Bateleurs cover songs from a diverse range of new and established artists in their own inimitable style. Artists such as Steve Earle (Galway Girl), The Waterboys (Fisherman’s Blues) & The Levellers (Beautiful Day).



THE BLACK FEATHERS



The Black Feathers is the result of a combination of English folk influences, some Irish heritage, and large splash of Americana inspiration, all held together with close Bluegrass harmonies.



Having performed their debut show in May 2012, The Black Feathers have been touring the country, captivating audiences everywhere with songs of love, life, and death.



They have shared a stage with the likes of Ben Ottewell (Gomez), Luke Concannon (Nizlopi), Jazz Morley, and Isambard Folk Award winners Josienne Clarke and Ben Walker.



They are currently working on their debut 5 track EP, which will be released in early 2013.



“Love it, deep, dark moody sonnets”

- Youth, Producer (Dido, The Orb)



“Beautiful harmonies, fine songwriting”

- Paul Moss, BBC Introducing