About me…
I started singing before I could talk, and after a childhood in the bush playing violin, piano, and saxophone I found myself with a mic in one hand and a guitar in the other at an open mic night in Surry Hills in 1999. I have been performing live since, and have also penned a song or 2 along the way. Some of the bands I’ve played with over the years are:
The Ugly Truth
The Ugly Truth is an Outlaw Country band from the heart of Sydney’s Inner West. The band formed at an afternoon gig at the Bean Cafe in Rozelle and has been performing since. The current lineup includes Lachy Monaro on drums, Andrew Smith on bass, Adam Young on guitar, and Ross Waraker on keys. In 2024 we performed as part of the Tamworth Country Music Festival.
the Monster Band
The Monster Band started gigging in 2013 with Illya Szwec on guitar, Vito Portolesi on bass, and George Brugmans on drums. We performed at a residency at the Merton Hotel for 10 years, with Mike Rix joining us on bass in 2018. We were recorded live at the Merton by 2MBS FM's Stormy Monday in April 2018 and in 2023 we were on the lineup for the Girrakool Blues Festival and Blues Across the Bay. In 2024 we performed at the Cronulla Jazz and Blues Festival.
MAvis and her china pigs
Originally called Bimbogami, Mavis and her China Pigs was a psychedelic swamp blues band that performed original music at several venues around Sydney, including a residency at the Sandringham Hotel in Newtown. Our self-titled EP was released in 2012. The lineup included Andrew Wild on guitar, Ben Anderson on drums, Ray Lechminka on harmonica, Beck Clarke on drums, and Mez on bass.
Bridie and the Boogie Kings
I performed with Bridie King and her band at a weekly residency at the Bridge Hotel in Rozelle for many years after starting in 2000. I recorded vocals on the album Way Back Home with the Harmony Queens in 2008. While I was singing in the band we performed at the Wangaratta Jazz Festival, the Melbourne International Women's Jazz Festival, the Great Southern Blues and Rockabilly Festival, the Manly Jazz Festival, and the Darling Harbour Jazz Festival. In 2023 I performed with Bridie King and the Boogie Kings and Queens at the SIMA International Womens’ Jazz Festival.
I’ve also made guest appearances with other artists over the years including: