Soul Messengers - January 12th "There is little doubt that Aljinovic is one of our best contemporary soul singers. His voice just drips with emotion but with this new set of songs he once again blows the listener away. " - Malcolm Carter, PennyBlack Music, UK "Soul Messengers’ sound is deeply rooted in soul, R&B and funk. It’s a sound that’s simultaneously dirty and luxurious." Huffington Post Soul revivalists, Soul Messengers, are a Sydney based Soul and RnB band. They have released 3 studio albums, with 2017’s Vision & Faith reaching #5 on the Australian Blues and Roots Airplay chart. Their previous albums, 2013's 'I’m Alive', and 2015's ‘Dirty Soul’ also garnered great reviews and nationwide radio play, with ‘Dirty Soul’ featuring as Sydney Jazz and Blues radio station Eastside Radio’s album of the week. Previously known as Chich and The Soul Messengers, the Sydney based bluesy-soul revivalists present a dynamite live show honed at regular gigs in Sydney and surrounds, the band having played over 90 shows since 2014 at venues such as Sydney’s The Basement, Marrickville’s Lazybones and Newtown’s Leadbelly. In addition to performing regular shows Soul Messengers have been added to NSW festivals Double Bay Street Festival and The Northern Beaches Music Festival in multiple years. Add in past residencies at Enmore’s Vic on the Park, Marrickville’s Gasoline Pony and Newtown’s Botany View Hotel and you have one of Sydney’s most booked originals bands. Soul Messengers are Rich Aljinovic (vocals, guitar), Simon Morel (guitar), Dave Kirby (drums) and Victor Balconi (Bass). They love to play live and are intent on spreading their soul manifesto. With a great rhythm section and happening lead guitarist behind him, Rich feels free to let go and enjoy the moment, freeing his gutsy, soul drenched voice to float between grooving rock ‘n’ soul to sweet sultry ballads. DOORS OPEN 6.30pm Tickets $32 +booking fee
Bonnie Kay and the Bonafides - January 13th
Here is a unique sort of soulful and sassy package of blues and roots: Open it at the Quarterdeck for an epic Sunday! Bonnie Kay, a contemporary American singer/songwriter from Philly who landed in Australia via Tokyo, uses acoustic, finger-picking, slide -guitar techniques, plus a voice reminiscent of blues icon Bonnie Raitt’s, to deliver her own red-hot, sexy sound. Bonnie’s voice and guitar speak evocatively to the archetypal medley of emotions springing from the trauma of love relationships between humans: yearning, angst, passion, lust and yes .. everyone ‘s favourite – depression. With two failed marriages (and all the bits before, after and in between) behind her, she conjures up situations for her audience to experience right along with her: the good, the bad and the ugly, with slightly less emphasis on the good, or it just wouldn’t be the blues . To formulate her traditional yet modern approach to the blues, she draws on not just her own past experiences , but those of countless sisters and friends in life and literature. Her Bona fide companions began with one: Matt Russell. Bonnie and Matt formed a duo with 2 acoustic guitars creating a sound so vibrant and full, the perfect complement to each other. Matt brought both support to Bonnie ‘s sound and a sound so uniquely his own- It was a dance of blue s and roots with no lead dancer or set steps . One could simply get lost in it. Wayne Rigby made the duo a trio with his saxophone and flute . Wayne added an indescribable element of texture and colour to their sound- some times smooth and jazzy, some time s gritty and raw- taking the dance to a sobbing heap on the floor and then lifting it up into a foot-stomping, hollering hootenanny . Add Jed Wesley -Smith on double bass, Peregrin Chiara on drums and Tanya Bethune on trumpet and you’ve got additional elements of jazz, soul and funk- a Bonafide Band with a capital B. DOORS OPEN 6.30pm TICKETS $30 +booking fee available online
Lindsay Lou - direct from the USA! Jan 17th Lindsay Lou has been making soulful, poignant music for the last decade. An undeniable powerhouse, Lou’s remarkable gifts as a singer songwriter, musician and performer demand the listener’s attention. Her singing floats over the masterful playing and deep groove of her band with both a fierce intensity and a tender intimacy. Lindsay Lou’s fourth album, Southland (released April 2018), is a transformative and heart-wrenching ten-song stunner. Lou’s voice, and its unique ability to create an expansive, almost physically tangible soundscape, carries each song on Southland forward, made even more recognizable and potent by bandmates Josh Rilko (mandolin, vocals) and PJ George (bass, vocals) and special guests. The beauty with which the sounds on Southland slip into the ether is the product of an emotionally difficult time for Lindsay and her band— who, as musicians often do, entered the studio to “hash it out”. The process, demonstrated by the music on Southland, was sincere and stirring and introspective.
Whoopie Cat 2 dates · 19 Jan – 20 Jan
Whoopie Cat's music is bluesy and soulful with bursts of heavier Rock Music and deep driving riffs accompanied by vocal harmonies. The lyrical content includes themes such as government corruption, drug abuse, money, mental health, perception, love, hate and spirituality. Bathing the listener with hook laden heavy blues, sensual soul-crusted croons and feral melodies with deeply penetrating lyrics, Whoopie Cat have been working hard since their 2016 EP release, working on a new full length album.
