Entertainment - Performer biographies

Bluejuice

Blending pop, rock, hip-hop, electro and disco, Bluejuice are in their element when they get crowds up and dancing. Jake Stone and Stavros Yiannoukas trade lead vocals, musical director Jeremy Craib handles piano and keyboards while bassist Jamie Cibej and drummer James Hauptmann introduce electronics, drum replacement and other new toys to provide the beats. The result is a unique combination of sounds and tracks that define the band and their energetic live performances.

Daryl Braithwaite

In a distinguished career spanning more than 40 years, Daryl Braithwaite has established himself as one of Australia's award-winning premier performers. His initial success as a singer came with Sherbet, a band who will forever remain in the history books of Australian music. Following the group’s success, Daryl successfully returned as a solo performer with the release of the hit album Edge, which spent well over a year in the charts and spawned four hit singles. Daryl is currently working on a new album titled Forever The Tourist.

Paul Dempsey

Paul Dempsey is best known as the singer, guitarist and principal songwriter of Australian band Something for Kate, which has released five platinum and gold-selling records. His first solo album Everything is True was released in 2009 to critical acclaim and debuted at No.5 on the ARIA chart – it spent 15 weeks on the chart – and No.1 on the iTunes chart. The album displayed a startling lyrical originality and spawned the singles "Ramona Was A Waitress" and "Out the Airlock". Rolling Stone named Everything is True as one of their Best Albums of 2009.

Evermore

Evermore’s rise from three home-schooled brothers in country New Zealand to the top of the Australian charts with their debut album in 2004 is the stuff of indie-rock folklore. Since then their songs of youth, love and lament have led to an impressive string of chart hits, critical acclaim, industry awards and sold-out tours. Self-recorded, produced, mixed and managed, their soon-to-be-released album Follow the Sun is a message of boldness and hope that was recorded in their portable studio in various locations around the world.

Mahalia Barnes & Prinnie

Prinnie Stevens and Mahalia Barnes staged an attention-grabbing battle in the first Australian season of The Voice, before joining forces to record the recently-released duet album Come Together. Now touring nationally, the pair are indulging in their love of classic soul, performing original songs and some of their favourite soul and dance classics separate from their album. Dazzlingly powerful in their vocal abilities, Mahalia Barnes is also notable for being the daughter of Australian rock legend Jimmy Barnes.

Jody McLeod

One of Australia’s most exciting media and entertainment talents, McLeod has amassed 10 years experience working in radio as both a presenter and producer. As a DJ, McLeod’s canny ear for floor-rocking beats has helped her produce Australia’s top-rated dance show Novanation, and hosts the weekly show Pump Class alongside industry legend James Ash. Outside of her radio career, McLeod remains one of country’s most in-demand DJs, pumping dance floors at Sensation NYE parties, Stereosonic events, Ministry of Sound dance events in Mykonos and during annual tours of Bali. Her residencies and guest spots see her playing several headline gigs each week throughout Australia.

Darren Percival

Fresh from his appearance on the first Australian series of The Voice and seeing his album Happy Home debut at No.3 on the ARIA Album Charts, Darren returns to the stage for a special run of shows. Prior to The Voice, Darren was an independent musician with more than 20 years of professional musical experience. Respected by his peers and with impressive musical pedigree, he has studied under some of Australia’s greatest vocalists including Kerrie Biddell, Alan Dean and Bobby McFerrin.

Rewind 80s

Rewind 80s Tribute Band is Australia's most experienced and professional ensemble playing all the hits of the 1980s. Kitted out in the decade’s glitzy, glittery fashions and playing live, the multi-piece tribute band plays homage to the rock, pop and new romantic tunes that defined one of music’s most iconic eras. Rewind 80s is managed by frontman Scott Carne of 1980s band Kids In The Kitchen, with special guest stars from the 80s occasionally joining the band for an unforgettable trip back in time.

The Rubens

Originating from regional New South Wales, The Rubens – comprised of three brothers and a childhood friend – formed as recently as 2011, coming to people’s attention through a handful of online demos and increased exposure via Triple J’s Unearthed initiative. One fan was David Kahne – the American producer of albums by The Strokes, Lana Del Rey, New Order and Regina Spektor – who produced The Rubens’ debut self-titled album, released in September 2012. With influences ranging through Van Morrison, Fleetwood Mac, Tracy Chapman and The Black Keys, the band’s blend of soulful, bluesy indie-rock is an exciting addition to the Australian music scene.

Mark Seymour

Mark Seymour’s new album, Undertow, is arguably his finest. The folk artist’s tales of the depression era ring with more credibility than most, combining walls of harmonies and chiming guitars. According to Stephen Cummings, it's "the Australian coastal sound, a four-piece-matter-of-fact-guitar band, like Richard Clapton meets Jackson Brown at a car park above a beach with breaking surf. When The Kings Of Leon turn fifty this is what they might sound like." Seymour was formerly the lead singer and songwriter of iconic Australian band Hunters & Collectors.

Jason Singh

Jason is no stranger to success, his career as lead vocalist with Taxiride punctuated with eight top 10 hits, gold, platinum and multi-platinum records, ARIA awards and countless sold out tours. He has supported some of the biggest names in the industry including Pink, Bon Jovi, Matchbox 20 and Tina Turner. One of the busiest live musicians in the country, Jason states; “I need to be playing live all the time… that interaction drives my creativity”. Jason is currently recording an album with award-winning producer Charles Fisher (Savage Garden, Air Supply, 1927) which is due for release in 2013.

Julia Stone

Raised in a musical household, Australian singer/songwriter Julia Stone was destined to follow a music career alongside brother Angus. It wasn’t too long before the pair began playing together, forming the indie duo Angus & Julia Stone, winning five ARIAs and seeing their 2010 No.1 album Down The Way enjoy triple-platinum sales. Julia’s solo effort By the Horns is a tale of family, friendship and loss, crisply produced and detailed with instrumentation that showcases her haunting, breathy vocals and displays an unexpectedly strong confidence and presence.

Jon Stevens

A much-loved singer, songwriter and performer, Steven’s remarkable career spans over 20 years during which he has enjoyed ARIA chart-topping success as front man of legendary Australian bands Noiseworks and INXS. His solo efforts include collaborating with global artists, starring as Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar, and hosting and presenting on television. Steven’s song “Carry The Flame” was the anthem for the Sydney 2000 Olympic Torch Relay, while more recently he wrote the theme song for Pixar’s latest movie Planes. Remaining prolific in the music industry, Stevens released his solo album Changing Times in 2011 and soon after Testify – an album of soul covers – before embarking on a Australian tour.

Wolfmother

After line-up changes and a three-year gap between albums, Aussie band Wolfmother will soon be releasing just their third LP since forming back in 2000. The Sydneysiders, winners of three ARIAs and in 2007 the Grammy for Best Hard Rock Performance for their hit single "Woman", released their self-titled debut album in 2005, a critical and commercial success that went five-times platinum in Australia. Follow-up effort Cosmic Egg (2009) also went platinum Down Under. Gig, concert and festival performance stalwarts, Wolfmother look forward to returning to the fold.

You can catch all of these acts live at the Heineken Live Stage at Grand Slam Oval during Australian Open 2013 on 14-27 January. View details...