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Festival 2016

This year's festival is set to provide tons of entertainment for the whole family. Each year Birre Fest is attracting more and more amazing musicians to entertain the crowds! This year will be no exception. 

Introducing the 2016 artists

Alex Lahey

Melbourne-based singer-songwriter Alex Lahey has set the music industry abuzz with the insanely catchy You Don’t Think You Like People Like Me. From the attention-grabbing opening bars (those drums sound like an angry landlord thumping your front door on a Sunday morning), it flips the classic break-up line “it’s not you, it’s me” on its head.

Upon release in March, People… was immediately added to rotation on triple j, triple j unearthed, Syn FM and FBi FM, and started popping up on music blogs everywhere.


 
A founding member of avant poppers Animaux, multi-instrumentalist Lahey has now gone solo and pared down her sound, embracing a simple, home-spun story-telling style that’s often underlined by her second love,  the fuzz pedal. 


 
Along with her new three-piece band and producer Oscar Dawson (Holy Holy, Ali Barter), Lahey is set to release her debut EP later in 2016 - bound to be the year’s greatest Corolla-funded release.
 

Josh Cashman

“At only 21 years old, his journey is still full of grand and bewildering
possibility, and his excitement for what lies ahead is palpable.” - Beat
Magazine

Young Melbourne based artist Josh Cashman planted his seed in 2015 with the release of 2 singles ‘Running’ and ‘All About You’ with consistent airplay around Australia, sitting #2 on Triple J Unearthed charts, selling out several hometown shows and breaking into the Australian festival circuit.

Shortly after relocating from Country Victoria (Gippsland) to Melbourne, Josh’s blend of Alternative Folk/Electronic Textures and sublime loops started to create a movement as more and more listeners became intrigued by not only his releases but his live shows filling small hometown rooms such as Shebeen, The Workers Club and Ding Dong Lounge as well as joining the lineup of Queenscliff Music Festival

Amistat

Acoustic duo Josef and Jan Prasil, who together form AMISTAT just released their debut album, 'Parley' start of this year and are headed to Europe this August to promote their new sound.
Originating from Germany, the twins Josef and Jan are not unfamiliar with Australia, having packed their rucksacks and relocating here in 2013 to rekindle a deep mutual love of music. Since then, they have chiselled away at Australian audiences with their acoustic set; heard largely on the streets of Melbourne. Whoever has experienced AMISTAT and their wonderful experience, live on stage or busking, is touched by the emotional investment in their music.
Born with the intimacy only twins share, Josef and Jan produce a unique synergy through the use of tightly knit harmonies, shaped by an honest, storytelling vocal tone. 

Residual

Victorian-based band Residual are an up and coming alt-rock sensation in their local scene. Their debut self-titled E.P. peaked at #11 on the Australian iTunes Chart, and their touring history impressively includes the likes of British India, Bluejuice and The Jungle Giants. The beginning of Residual’s journey couldn’t have been stronger.
The boys are back with their brand new single All For You, set for release Friday July 15. The single is a showcase of pure, raw emotion, capturing all the elements of alt-rock that there is to love. Sam Burtt (vocals), Andrew Rankin (guitar), Josh Carter (bass) and Nicholas Cousins (drums) are excited to play a collection of new tracks from their upcoming second E.P set for release August 2016.
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The Attics

The Attics have tumbled endlessly through change since emerging in 2011 with their debut EP. If one thing has remained a constant, it’s the importance of the melody around which their songs are formed.

From simpler musical beginnings, The Attics formed when a few friends took the down-tempo electronic music Cameron Wade was making on his computer and turned it into a multi-layered presentation of the tracks in a live format.
Having mesmerised crowds at their shows, the band quickly churned out two EPs before putting out the fan favourite single, ‘We Broke The Sky’ (2014) and the even more successful  B-side ‘Ultraviolets’. 

Already in 2016, The Attics have paired up with Hector Castillo (two time Grammy award winner) to record ‘Not Like’, at Sydney’s iconic Studios 301 – a quirky, tongue in cheek narrative formed around the idea of a home town. The track collected praise across community radio around Australia, and eventually found its way into high rotation on Triple J Unearthed radio. Once again, the success earned the band the chance to share stages with The Harpoons, Crepes, Suiix, Fraser A. Gorman, Lanks and Milwaukee Banks in some of the bands biggest shows yet. It was the beginning of the bands rediscovery of pop song writing that is set to continue taking centre-stage in up-coming releases. 

Rach Brennan

Popular country/folk songstress Rach Brennan, joined by her talented and lively band of lads, strives to create something that resonates and connects with all listeners. The 22-year-old, having toured throughout Europe twice in 2015, echo’s her fathers Irish song-alongs with playful and harmony based ditties that have audiences on their feet.

The MikMaks

The Mik Maks are Australia's fastest growing independent kids band.  Fresh from their appearance on Australia's Got Talent, this band of brothers and their loveable friend Drums the Panda are ready to rock this years Birregurra Festival.  The Mik Maks will be performing songs from their new album 'Working on the Farm' as well as their family favourites.  Oh, and watch out for Bruce the Hairy Crocodile!

The Gin Slingers

An amalgam of The Rainstanders, The Custom Kings, Pressed Rat and The Lounge Hounds, this four piece will be ripping out a cool set of bluesy tunes to keep Sunday arvo rolling.  They'll be brandishing their vintage guitars and amps as they knock out some originals and obscure, great covers.  The is also sure to be plenty of denim and facial hair on display.
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Famous Will

​Geelong based band "Famous Will" are a 5 piece country / folk outfit.
With harmony packed winding melodies, these lads are sure to win hearts and ears with their 60's styled songs.
Check out their latest single "Lonely" on all social media outlets.

Georgia State Line

Hailing from small-town regional Victoria, Georgia State Line are a clad weaving together humble yet soaring folk-esque melodies intertwined with alt-country rhythms. Inspired by like minded artists; Laura Marling and Emmylou Harris their music exemplifies the essence of old time country innocence, divulging in the tales of being young, in love and the tribulations of losing far more than you gain.

Nathan Seeckts

Nathan Seeckts is an acoustic, folk/alt-country storyteller, who creates sing-a-long tales filled with memorable characters and engaging storylines. 
Inspired by artists such as Paul Kelly, Ben Nichols, Jason Isbell and Bruce Springsteen, Nathan's songs are heartfelt narratives that speak loudly of personal experience. 
“Whether it’s stories about decaying buildings and long forgotten landmarks around where I grew up, to dancing to old records as the summer sun sets slowly in the west, or thoughts that’ve popped into my head as I’m sitting in a carpark staring out across the bay at the Melbourne skyline, these are tales that come from where I live. The place that I call home”. 
His latest release, ‘A Man Possessed’, features all the qualities that make Nathan Seeckts a standout artist; his ability to craft intricate and engaging stories of love and loss, his combination of Alt-Country and Folk, and his commanding and indelible voice – equal parts gravel and passion. 

Izzy Losi and the Auricles

Performing in and around the Geelong region for many years has allowed Losi to hone her live performance skills and songwriting which has led to being featured on the all female Naked in the Woods 2 compilation alongside Courtney Barnett, Deborah Conway and Claire Bowditch in 2010. In 2011, Losi was lucky enough to be an inaugural recipient of the Queenscliff Music Festival’s Emerging Artist Grant that allowed her to produce her debut EP Outlast The Storm, engineered by Phil Threlfall who has worked with the likes of 360 and Diafrix. 

2014 saw Izzy win the Melbourne live heat of the Telstra Road to Discovery, earning her a spot in the programs' well recognised industry Boot Camp. Fast- forwarding to 2016, Izzy Losi alongside her band The Auracles are working with producer Mark Leahy (The Twoks) for production on the follow-up due out later this year. 

Olly Friend

​As one of Geelongs leading singer-songwriters Olly Friend has relentlessly toured 3 times over the past year and a half and has shared the stage with numerous big names such as Patrick James, Hein Cooper, Marlon Williams and The Pierce Brothers.

2016 brings a new challenge in solo touring and International shows all across New Zealand as well as shows all across the east coast. Friend has already shown crowds across Australia his energetic heartfelt solo shows on tour with other local band The Run on their debut EP tour (March 2016) the Let You go solo tour (April 2016) and The Runaway Tour across Australia/New Zealand (July/August 2016).

Coming from a folk background and growing up busking at small music festivals before he could even play guitar Friend turned to busking on Bourke Street Mall in Melbourne last year to make a living but realised his true calling was on the road. Drawing influences from artists such as Ben Howard, Daughter and Matt Corby he has found a way to incorporate his self taught guitar and powerful and raw vocals to find a sound he can only call his own.

Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Marsh

First established in March 2012, Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Marsh was formed to give local Singers/Musicians a voice through its Mass Community Choir & Percussion Group.

Now with over 300 members, it will be the 5th consecutive performance at the Festival. Participants include adults from regional towns throughout Colac Otway and Surf Coast Shire as well as 160 children from Birregurra, Deans Marsh and Forrest Primary Schools.

This generation-crossing musical extravaganza is a large-scale production put on by the Community… for the Community.

The Run

A fresh face to the Geelong music scene the boys have taken some massive steps in the first year and a half of their existence. Releasing a debut EP and successfully touring the east coast of Australia a trip to Germany to compete in the global battle of the bands where they took out the peoples choice vote and 4 massive hometown headline shows this year alone. Already having shared stages with heavyweights Kingswood and Northeast Party House the Indie Rockers are looking forward to taking some pretty big steps in the near distant future.

Sam Hanson

A singer songwriter hailing from Ocean Grove. Sam's music career keeps going from strength to strength.  
His debut album in 2014 'Face It Head On' had ears pricking up all over Geelong, The Bellarine Peninsula, The Surfcoast and Melbourne. 
Sam's Acoustic, toe tapping style of music, is not only catchy but sticks in the mind long after his performance has finished. His Lyrical finger picking styles are matched with solid guitar rhythms, these create a fantastic base for Sam's powerhouse voice.


2015 was his biggest year to date with his latest single and film clip 'Hold Your Horses' being released. This kicked Sam's campaign into being the first ever solo artist to win K Rocks 95.5fm 'The Band' competition. Taking the crown over plenty of established local bands. 
Sam's eagerly awaited EP is due out late August 2016. 

The Sobs

The Sobs are a mixed bag, brought together by a common love of music. Members include a leading journalist, a Balinese princess, an internationally renowned artist, a graphic designer, landscape designer and a psychological scientist.
 
The Sobs boast a diverse musical lineage, including Dog, a grungy three piece band who once topped the Melbourne alternative charts, and The Grownups, one of Melbourne’s classic 90’s rock bands.
 
Their musical style is definitively eclectic, playing obscure and familiar covers from the 60s to now, along with a few originals.

Snapshots of from the past