New International Artists announced
✭We are excited to announce our next International Artists for Mountaingrass 2018 – Cameron de Whitt (USA)✭
Cameron DeWhitt is a clawhammer banjoist and Old Time musician living in Philadelphia. He hosts the weekly podcast Get Up in the Cool, which features conversations and musical collaborations with some of Old Time’s heaviest hitters, like Ken Perlman, Adam Hurt, Spencer & Rains, and Jake Blount. Joining him are Gareth Bjaaland of The Pitts Family Circus and Nara Demasson of Demasson Musical Instruments
✭Pipi Pickers (NZ)✭
The Pipis play a blend of contemporary and traditional hard driving bluegrass with solid instrumental chops and an engaging performance style that puts a smile on everyone’s face and infuses even the most dreadful of murder ballads with a sense of joy and energy. The Pipis bring a love of the genre and a desire to share that love with as many people as possible. Nat Torkington is New Zealand’s best 5-string Scruggs-style banjo player, and is ably supported by his father Barry on guitar, Garry Bigwood on mandolin, and wife Jenine Abarbanel on double bass and vocals
The Pipis have become favourites at New Zealand and Australian music festivals through their vibrant performances, open and inclusive jam sessions, and slow jam workshops.
✭Rhodeworks (NZ)✭
Rhodeworks are an award-winning bluegrass folk band who play fast paced, high energy folk music, presenting a set of traditional and well-loved bluegrass alongside their original material. Laurence (17), Sam (15) and Nate (12) are largely self-taught multi-instrumentalists and vocalists who have performed at festivals throughout NZ and Australia. Including, MountainGrass, Auckand Folk Festival, WellyFest, HamsterFest, Hamilton Gardens Arts Festival, and Aongatete. In 2017 they were recipients of the Frank Winter award for their Outstanding Musical and Vocal talents. As well as their dedication to creating unique roots-conscious music they love nothing more than heading to the workshop to craft their own instruments.
✭Bluegrass Parkway✭
Australia’s premier bluegrass band, Bluegrass Parkway hold true to the origins of this exciting musical genre, capturing the magic of the golden years of bluegrass. Bluegrass Parkway remains faithful to the 1940s by playing to a single microphone and incorporating strong three and four part harmonies. Whether it be the traditional sounds of Monroe and the Stanley Brothers or material closer to the ‘cutting edge’, Bluegrass Parkway will thrill you with great picking, strong harmonies and fancy footwork!
✭Appalachian Heaven Stringband ✭
The Appalachian Heaven Stringband is well known for its tight, driving arrangements of Americana tunes and old time songs from the southern Appalachian USA mountains. The best old-time/Americana band in Australia right now; with their trademark three part harmony, chunky, yet mesmeric guitar, fiery fiddle, haunting cello, and driving clawhammer banjo, the Appalachian Heaven Stringband engages with audiences of all ages. This band aims to share their enjoyment in playing traditional, contemporary tunes, original ballads and fiery dance tunes; this band loves to entertain and interact with audiences. Australia’s finest tribute to the old-time mountain music of Appalachia and brilliant exponents of authentic Americana presented with energy and style. Fun, enthusiastic and talented. Appalachian Heaven Stringband puts on an upbeat entertaining show that everyone will enjoy.
