By Martin Boulton
FIND YOUR WAY TO GRETTA RAY
There's been a lot happening in Gretta Ray's world since she claimed the triple J Unearthed High crown in 2016, from being a touring member of Japanese Wallpaper's band to winning the Vanda and Young songwriting contest. Following the release of her debut EP Elsewhere, the singer and songwriter from Melbourne is now stepping up to play the O'Donnell Gardens stage at Sunday's St Kilda Festival, bringing latest single Drive to Australia's biggest outdoor festival. Produced by Jonathan Dreyfus and Nashville-based Australian producer Josh Barber (Archie Roach, Goyte), Drive is another slice of Ray's rapidly maturing songwriting skills. Navigate your way to her 2.15pm show at St Kilda Festival and discover for yourself why she's a local performing going places. stkildafestival.com.au
Gretta Ray plays the O'Donnell Gardens stage at Sunday's St Kilda Festival.
Ainslie Wills.Credit: Jade Cantwell
WHERE THERE'S A WILLS
Another Melbourne artist making a splash by the bay in St Kilda on Sunday is Ainslie Wills, who's also just signed on for 15 support slots with Tom Chaplin (Keane) when his British tour gets underway next month. It's been a few years between releases for Wills, whose 2013 Australian Music Prize nominated album You Go You Way, I'll Go Mine created a path overseas for recent recording stints and support shows with Vance Joy and Hiatus Kaiyote among others. Wills has also played Queenscliff Music Festival, Falls Festival, WOMADelaide and added a Splendour in the Grass show to her growing resume of festival slots. Last year's Oh The Gold EP and her impressive live show with collaborator Lawrence Folvig make Wills one to watch in 2017. She'll be performing at Festival Sunday in St Kilda at 5.45pm on the Alfred Square Stage.
Nashville Pussy.Credit: Rish Publicity
NASHVILLE PUSSY TIME
Anybody who witnessed Nashville Pussy's 2010 Golden Plains performance in the Meredith Supernatural Amphitheatre can testify to the greatness of the Atlanta rock'n'rollers bona fides. It's been way too long between visits from these Georgia-based psychobilly legends, featuring husband and wife Blaine Cartwright and Ruyter Suys. Cartwright (guitar and vocals) formed the band after the break-up of Kentucky's Nine Pound Hammer and, as the saying goes, the rest is history. Nashville Pussy have released a bunch of blazing, seriously southern rock albums including 2000's High as Hell, 2005's Get Some! and 2009's From Hell to Texas. Get the picture? This band loves to crank up the amps and rock. Hard. They'll be doing just that on their upcoming national tour, including Geelong's Negative Waves Festival, Barwon Club on May 6, and Northcote Social Club, May 10. For more information and tickets go to northcotesocialclub.com, barwonclub.com, nashvillepussy.com
ROLL UP, ROLL UP
Spiegel Rock is taking place at the Melba Spiegeltent in Collingwood on Saturday, February 18, and could change your life for the better. Take one Spiegeltent, add three of Melbourne's finest rock'n'roll bands, a pinch of jazz and ringmaster Emma Peel from PBS FM and you've got a recipe for a mighty fine Saturday featuring great tunes and good times. Kit Warhurst will be bringing his band along with Dan Kelly's Dream Band, the Danny Walsh Band, Clare St Clare and Anna Lumb and tickets are just $25. Warhurst (Rocket Science) fronts his own band these days and will be releasing his debut album soon, but we're tipping there's a sneak peak of new songs in store at Spiegel Rock, next door to the Tote in Johnston Street. For more information and tickets, go to trybooking.com/?OHRR
Brant Bjork.Credit: Rish Publicity
BRANT BJORK IS BACK
Founding member of Kyuss and one-time Fu Manchu drummer Brant Bjork has brought his own band to Australia a couple of times in recent years and he's coming back for more, playing the Negative Waves Festival at Geelong's Barwon Club on May 6 and the Corner in Richmond on May 11. Bjork released his latest album Tao of the Devil last year, his eighth solo album stretching back to 1999's Jalamanta. cornerhotel.com