Deliriously catchy, not quite dance, not quite pop, and totally infectious.The Panics formed in high school when Jae Laffer and Drew Whooton met on the first day of term. Laffer said, "You just look at someone and go alright you can be my friend - you've got the same haircut as me".

It's since been a slow and steady build for The Panics. Since forming in Perth, big things have been predicted for the band. After being spotted playing in a pub by Happy Mondays' Gaz Whelan and Pete Carroll, following The Mondays' performance at The Big Day Out in 2000, they were signed to their UK/Australian littleBIGMAN records label.

www.thepanics.com.au
www.myspace.com/thepanicsmusic

To the casual observer Sydney singer-songwriter Lior emerged from nowhere back in 2005 with his stunning debut album Autumn Flow, but as is often the case with these matters this couldn’t be further from the truth. It was in fact the culmination of years of hard work by Lior, time spent honing both his songwriting and delivery down to the record that eventually captured hearts and minds all over the country. Lior is a musician whose music gives more than it takes, offering a spiritually enriching experience for all involved and a reminder of a time when the music came first, and everything else was secondary

Kate Miller-Heidke possesses an amazing talent for self-expression through music. Her truly unique vocal ability has captured the imagination audiences nationwide and established her as one of Australia’s most exciting musical talents. The KM-H live experience is captivating and compelling, her theatrical stage presence and fresh, innovative and edgy folk/pop softly melts the insides of enchanted audiences. Be warned! Once you’ve experienced the playfulness, insight and sheer fun of Kate Miler-Heidke, there’s no turning back! Her 4 x ARIA Nominated debut album “Little Eve” featured the singles “Words”,“Make It Last” and “Space They Cannot Touch”. Kate releases her new album “Curiouser” in October 2008.

www.katemillerheidke.com
www.myspace.com/katemillerheidke

While some bands may prefer to specialise in one sound, the musically ambitious collective of True Live take it a step further, conquering the often disparate areas of hip hop and jazz. Whether dishing up an energetic PA or wafting through your home stereo, their incomparable rhythms are guaranteed to make you bounce!

www.truelive.com.au
www.myspace.com/truelive

Just like art, I may not know much but I know what I like. Whilst I don't understand how these kids can go against the slacker grain and grow their own band into an exciting business, I can understand the energy they demonstrate on stage. While I have no idea what their constant screams of "rickymarus with mullets!" means, I can appreciate the exciting and dangerous music they create. Despite their wide-eyed wonder and obvious joy from the simple pleasures of playing with their favourite Australian bands, I can whole-heartedly champion the final words of Gardiner.
"I'm a big believer that you have to work in order to achieve what you want," she shrugs. "We've worked really hard! And it's a bonus that some people like what we do."

www.operatorpleaseband.com
www.myspace.com/operatorplease

Known for his manic, raw and ridiculously energetic aesthetic, Colonna is about to shake things up in the world of Wolf & Cub. The band has already put down three new tracks for their first single One To The Other, a raw, high-energy rock track that mixes up early 90s psychedelic guitar band sounds with the powerful grooves Wolf & Cub lock in to.

www.wolfandcub.com
www.mspace.com/wolfandcubaustralia

Michael Fitzgerald (drums) and brothers Sid O'Neil (vocals, guitar, percussion) and Ted O'Neil (bass, backing vocals) were still in their teens when they formed The Vasco Era in the (otherwise) quiet coastal town of Apollo Bay. The trio felt an instant musical and live chemistry spurring exciting local performances that were soon packed houses with the crowd feeling the dynamic intensity of their live shows. From these humble beginnings, the band have gone on to much bigger things, most recently culminating in large outdoor performances at The Falls Festival, Southbound, East and West Coast Blues & Roots Festivals, Apollo Bay Music Festival and The Great Escape.

www.thevascoera.com
www.myspace.com/thevascoera

The unmistakeable distorted riffs and funked-up percussive rhythms of Watussi (translated from the Cuban slang “the most handsome man at the party”) is lead by Colombian born Oscar Jimenez and has sound that has been variously described as ‘Afro-Colombian rock and roots’ and ‘Rage Against The Machine with horns’.  International supports, tours and Australia wide exposure through TV and radio performances has led to critical acclaim of the debut album “Tequila, Sangre y Fuego”, released nationally in October 2007 through Knowfoowl/Inertia.

www.watussi.com.au
www.myspace.com/watussi

Brisbane band Mary Trembles made quite a name for themselves in 2006-07. THanks to their highly acclaimed live shows and debut mini-album release 'ps...situation', the dynamic 3-piece outfit instantly received extensive support form radio, media and the public. Constant touring and playing shows with the likes of Dinosaur Jr, Datarock, Urge Overkill, Regurgitator, The Mess Hall and others, and playing the prestigious 2007 CMJ Music Marathon in NYC have cemented their reputation as one of Australia's finest live bands.

www.marytrembles.com
www.myspace.com/marytrembles

Dallas Frasca has an undeniable stage presence. Her powerful and commanding vocal style is one of a kind; raw, gritty and unrestrained, this woman is a force to be reckoned with. Joined by the upside down, left handed, back to front, slide dobro and mandolin extraordinaire, Jeff Curran makes the two piece without kit a wall of guitars and stomp box that delve into raw, double duelling slides, launching from a rock solid ground of roots influences. One thump on that stomp box demands attention from any audience and is a sure-fire way to get the crowd worked up... Dallas Frasca is an impressive live experience you don’t want to miss!

www.dallasfrasca.com
www.myspace.com/dallasfrasca

Rock, blues, roots, funk, stomp, bluegrass, swing, dance. You’ll have to make up your own mind. Barrel House take in influences from a wide range of music genres and styles, blending fast bluegrass finger picking guitar and funk slap bass over racy electro/jazz drum beats! When the boys get fired up their music takes off like some kind of possessed runaway steam train!

www.myspace.com/barrelhousetunes

The psychedelic, reggae-rock of Roger That has been a ticket to ride for the past 12 months. They come to their sound thru a mash of electric blues and reggae with a twisted psychedelic edge. A year’s constant touring is pushing the bands, stomping whirlwind live rep into all corners. In June 08 they finished a 2 month, 22 date run thru England, the Netherlands, France and Belgium (playing an 8 gig tour through the UK with Them Is Me - ex of REEF, Lady Sov and Basement Jaxx). This tour saw the band perform in front of thousands of new fans.

www.rogerthat.com.au
www.myspace.com/rogerthatofficial

It’s rare that a band really stands for something, unified in spirit and energized by a shared idea. The Jezabels one such band, and ultimately they’re the only bands that count.
Mixing classic pop and disco with an expansive, emotionally sophisticated attitude to indie rock, The Jezabels present like few bands I’ve seen in recent years. Onstage, they’re intensity personified, with a presence and purpose so emotionally raw, brittle, directed and genuine, they make most other groups look contrived.

www.jezabels.com
www.myspace.com/jezabelsband

Praised all over the globe by critics and fans including BEN HARPER and JEFF BUCKLEY's ex-manager DAVE LORY, MICK has played support to BOB DYLAN, COLDPLAY, STING, VAN MORRISON, PAUL WELLER, GOMEZ, TAJ MAHAL, ZWAN, THE PRETENDERS, PAUL KELLY, JOHN BUTLER TRIO and many more. Possessing an earthy, soulful and angelic voice, MICK's music is a brilliant mix of rock/pop/blues/roots with MICK playing guitars, lapsteel, keyboards and harmonica and backed by an amazing band in Australia consisting of DAMIAN LEONARD (bass), TONY CHUBB (drums) and EVAN BROWETT (percussion).

www.mickhart.com.au
www.myspace.com/mickhartmusic

Over the past few years Paul Greene has been given the thumbs up by John Butler, The Waifs & Ani DiFranco, hi-jacked by Midnight Oil’s Rob Hirst and served as the inspiration behind Ben Harper’s ‘Diamonds On The Inside’. He has sold nearly 30,000 albums; however, you won’t see his name on any charts, as Greene has taken a staunchly independent path which has led him on a journey through countless festivals, bar rooms and concert halls across Australia.

www.paul-greene.com.au
www.myspace.com/paulgreene

 As a new face on the independent artist scene, Chris Tejcek is quickly gaining a strong following. Blending Folk, Roots and Reggae with West African and Indian percussion, has earned Chris welcomed comparisons with Xavier Rudd and Harry Manx. Teamed up with his partner Ingrid Pullen (percussion, vocals), they create a love filled, flowing and danceable soundscape, that takes the listener on a journey throughout Africa, India and both Indigenous and Non-Indigenous Australia.  As a passionate environmentalist, Chris uses the lyrics of his songs to convey a message of environmental urgency, Indigenous equality and greater awareness of love and spirituality within the human race. Chris has shared the stage with Mick Hart, Afro Moses, Jez Mead, Saritah, Aurora Jane, Christopher Ernst and the Black Market Rhythm Co, Loren and the Grow Your Owns and many other Australian Roots musicians. Chris also created the Port Macquarie music venue ‘Live @ the Boathouse’, which showcased some of the most intimate and beautiful live music performances on the coast.

www.myspace.com/christejcekmusic