blues

Julian James has established a prominent presence in the Australian live music scene over numerous years. His shows combine authentic energy with sincere storytelling, delivering an engaging experience. Julian James embodies a fusion of high-energy Americana Hill Country blues, showcasing a mix of blues fervor, country allure, and contemporary style. With performances at major festivals nationwide, his show is a must-see.

And now, he hits the road in duo mode, with his vibrantly talented wife, Beck Kate on percussion and backing vocals.

“Emerging Blues Artist of the Year 2022”
— Australian Chain Awards
“‘Melbourne based singer, Julian James, is no stranger to the blues...blues, intertwined with the twang of country and the upbeat notes of more contemporary sound.’”
— Sophie Barker 'Forte Magazine'

Matthew "Matt" Taylor (born 1948) is an Australian blues musician. He is best known for his work with long-lasting blues band Chain and for the hit song "I Remember When I Was Young".

With a name coming from the Wik people, meaning to dance, to sing, to play, Kee’ahn aims to honour her name and Ancestors through her soulful music that weaves lush melodies and words reminiscent of heartbreak and healing. Kee’ahn released her debut single ‘Better Things’ on May 28, 2020. Kee’ahn was awarded the Archie Roach Foundation Award at the 2020 National Indigenous Music Awards.

Kee’ahn is a proud Kuku Yalanji, Jirrbal, Zenadh Kes song woman who has recently ventured from her home town in North Queensland, to pursue her dream in the Kulin Nation (Melbourne, Australia). With a name coming from the Wik people, meaning to dance, to sing, to play - Kee’ahn aims to honour her name and Ancestors through her soulful music that weaves lush melodies and words reminiscent of heartbreak and healing.

At 23 years of age, Kee’ahn already has an impressive number of performance credits to her name including: featuring at BIGSOUND2020, St Kilda Festival, Yirramboi First Nations Festival and at the Laneway Festival 2019 alongside Courtney Barnett, Cry Club, Jungle Cuffs, and Thelma Plum; as a feature artist with HOMELANDS at the National Woodford and Cygnet Folk Festivals; and with DRMNGNOW at Golden Plains, St Kilda Festival, Splendour In The Grass Forum and Dark Mofo.

2020 sees Kee’ahn in the studio working on her first EP ‘In Full Bloom’ after releasing her debut single ‘Better Things’ on May 28, 2020.

Blues Arcadia combines the legendary soul of Stax and Motown with the heat and power of the Chicago and Memphis blues to create a unique dirty-soul sound delivered with swagger, style and sensitivity.

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Three-time Australian Blues Music Award winners and Australian Roots Music Award nominees, the song-writing partnership of vocalist Alan Boyle and guitarist Chris Harvey is completed by collaborators and partners-in-crime Jeremy Klysz (bass), Paula Girvan (keys) and Casper Hall (drums). Their 2019 album Carnival Of Fools captures the sound of the band swinging from the rafters and shaking the foundations of blues and soul music - exactly as they perform live, with raw emotion and absolute conviction. Reviews include 4.5 stars from The Australian Weekend Review, 5 stars from the Sunday Mail, a #5 debut on the AIR Independent Charts and a #1 debut on the Australian Blues and Roots Airplay Charts.

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Performing at venues and festivals along the east coast of Australia, Blues Arcadia have forged a national reputation by injecting fresh new energy into 21st century rhythm and blues while channelling the passion and urgency of the old-school soul revival shows.

Nobody in this band is just along for the ride. These are five strong individual personalities working together to create something uniquely exciting. It’s almost impossible to choose which of them to watch and engage with during a show, where each player directs their energy into the most important thing – the Song, making it the best it can be. That is the power of Blues Arcadia.