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The Judges Grant Walmsley is a Newcastle born and bred surfer who is best known for his position as the founder and songwriter/guitarist of the legendary Screaming Jets. His latest quest has seen him returning to his roots as a singer/songwriter guitar player, fronting his new band Grant Walmsley and the Agents of Peace. He has released two albums and played some of the country’s largest ‘Roots and Blues’ festivals over the past 3 years. Recently his single ‘Black Cat’ was given an ‘Honourable Mention’ at the 2009 International Songwriting Competition by Jerry Lee Lewis and Tom Waits and has been enjoying airplay on Triple J and other radio networks. “I am passionate about spreading a positive message throughout my travels and spreading peace, love and respect mixed with good vibes, good songs and a great sound”. The Agents of Peace can honestly be described as unique. As well as being the lead singer, he is also the guitarist and drummer...all at once. “You have to check the Agents out. I don't think you can compare us to any one”. Along with a plethora of Gold and Platinum discs, his 1991 composition ‘Better' has become a certified classic and was voted MMM radio network's number 1# Australian song of the decade and the 2nd most played song in the history of MMM. It was also ARIA nominated as highest selling single and has become part of the Australian musical landscape. A reworked version features on the new album. His ‘Sad Song' was a JJJ hottest 100 hit and features with a swag of old and new songs in his live set. Walmsley has spent years touring internationally and nationally and has shared the world stage with a ‘who's who' of legends including Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, Alice In Chains, Black Crowes, Robert Plant, Velvet Revolver, Alice Cooper, Kiss and many others. Bringing the experience of playing 3,000 live shows all over the world, to this new project has seasoned him for his role as the front man of the 'Agents of Peace'. ‘Grant Walmsley and the Agents of Peace’ have become a sought after festival act and are currently touring to support the new album ‘Future Roots’ available through iTunes, www.agentofpeace.net.au and at retail through MGM. Grant is proudly independent.
Amy Vee They say that the only constant in life is change. The shifting career of Amy Vee is no exception. Beguiling solo performer. Electric popster. Virtuosic rocker. In 2010, Vee has come full circle, her talent stripped bare on a captivating acoustic release called Sleeping Dogs Lie. Amy Vee began her musical life as a solo writer and performer, eventually forming the musical collective The Virtues. Through natural evolution Amy Vee and The Virtues became a rock band, with their singer putting down her acoustic guitar in favour of an electric. Ears took notice and Amy Vee and The Virtues became hot property on the live circuit, supporting acts such as Little Birdy, The Whitlams and iOTA and garnering awards, from the 2005 MusicOz Artist Of The Year to a nomination for an LA Music Award. Her vocal work with Groove Terminator would see her tour Australia in support of Moby. But in late 2008, Vee felt an instinctive pull toward her original sound - the soft introspection of timeless folk music. Deciding to "shake things up a bit", the songwriter decided to distance herself from The Virtues' sizzling, electrified approach and wrote a collection of solo acoustic songs. Recording a series of demos and taking a tour of Canada, Vee was ready to share her changed direction and recorded five tracks in the studio of Newcastle-based producer Gareth Hudson. The resulting work, Sleeping Dogs Lie, is a gentle, drifting collection that unravels further with every listen. In 2009, Vee's new material was recognised with a sweep at the 1233 ABC Music Awards. The singer received the ABC Music Publishing/APRA Songwriters and Composers Recognition Award, Best Folk Song for 'Borrowing From Thieves' and the Best Contemporary Song for 'We Are The Hours'. 2010 will be an affirming year for Vee, as she takes the songs of Sleeping Dogs Lie to live audiences around Australia and the UK, with only her voice, lilting acoustic guitar and occasional use of live loops, percussion and melodica as her weapons of choice.
Gareth Hudson Gareth studied classical piano and composition at the Newcastle Conservatorium of Music from 1999 - 2002. Whilst at university, Gareth performed as lead singer and guitarist in The Good, and was the principal songwriter, releasing an E.P “True What They Say (1999)”, and three albums “The Good (2001)”, “Move Along (ABC Award winning - 2004)” & “51 Squares (2006)”. After completing his music degree, Gareth toured the UK and Europe with The Good, performing gigs from Cornwall to Edinburgh, at festivals such as; The Edinburgh Fringe, Manchester’s SWAP festival, The Whitby World Music Festival, Richmond Live, The Sunderland Waterfront Festival, Milan’s D&G International Fashion Show, and The Blakey Ridge Music Festival. Gareth’s musical theatre works include; “The Shining Isle: A Rock Opera”, co-written with librettist Nick Higginbotham, which had it’s world premiere season at Newcastle’s Civic Theatre in October, 2006 with a sellout season of nine performances. A track from the show, “Voyage To Khe Alohi Lani” won an ABC music award (theatre section) in 2006; “The True Pheonix”, a play by Carl Caulfield (2007); “In A Mosh Pit No-One Can Hear You Scream”, by David Brown (2003). Gareth received a SPARK grant from the Australian Arts Council and Youth Arts Queensland in 2007, to work on his new theatre piece, “Captn Cook”. Gareth won a City Of Newcastle Drama Award (CONDA) for his lead performance starring alongside Jon English in “Buskers & Angels” in 2009. Gareth owns and manages a recording studio, “Hazy Cosmic Jive”, and has produced and recorded artists including; Vaudeville, The Fictions, Erin, Buddy Knox, Caleb Skips Chemistry, Quarralia Knox, Auriel Andrew, Last Kinection, Daniel March, Barry March, Marissa Saroca, Simon Stewart, Emily Rose Sorenson, Grayson, Stick Figure Opera, Lesson MC, James Chatburn, Amy Vee and Ben Webb. He received “Best Producer” nominations at the Australian Blues Music Awards in 2008, and the ABC Newcastle Music Awards in 2008 and 2009. Gareth is currently undertaking a Masters Degree at The Newcastle Conservatorium of Music, focusing on orchestration and recording studio practices.
Jae Nelson Jae Nelson has been a keen musician from a very early age. Playing drums since the age of 7, Jae was taught under the expert guidance of Dean Gearing and Nic Cecire. Since getting a very strong result for music in his HSC, Jae has gone on to achieve a Bachelor of Recording Arts and formed many bands. The musical acts Jae has been involved with over the last 6 years have gone on to tour the country several times, winning Newcastle’s “Resonate” band competition 2 years running, winning Sydney’s "Jaeger Uprising" band competition, performing support slots with some of Australia’s premier bands, playing at prime music festivals and playing live on a major music television network. At only 23 years old Jae has had a wealth of experience in the music industry, inside and outside of Newcastle. |
