The fabulous Fumes will be dropping in to Gum Ball nice and fresh from a massive stint overseas showing off their serious blues infused rocking tunes to the rest of the world. Currently in the US, playing shows in Toronto, LA, SXSW in Austin and New York City, then heading onto Japan to promote their highly anticipated second studio album release “Sundancer” you can expect these guys to be absolutely on fire when they return to local shores.

The new album which was recorded in Sydney and mixed by Detroit producer Jim Diamond (White Stripes) is set for release May 8th. Those lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the dynamic two piece back on their short East coast tour earlier this year can vouch that the new album from The Fumes is going to be absolutely rockin’.

Mihirangi (pronounced me-hi-rung-he) performs an amazing mix of soulful-roots and funky world-r’n’b with a rare and captivating performance style. She creates her own band sound - live in front of the audience. Using a loop pedal, she layers her vocals into intricate harmonies with beat boxing and vocal bass lines, along with acoustic guitar and tribal rhythms, to accompany her R’n’b infused vocals.

Aotearoa-born (NZ) Mihirangi was brought up in a touring musical family. Paying homage to her Maori roots, her music is a passionate internal journey: from danceable rhythms to lyrics evoking quiet reverie. The insight into Mihirangi’s emotions, personal triumphs, fears and political convictions offer a refreshing perspective on contemporary culture. Her performance is renowned as a celebrated spiritual event that is sincere and inspiring, crafting an original rootsy dynamic sound that is deservedly attracting a wide and enthusiastic audience.

“This young woman is unlike anything I’ve ever seen before. A very brave and unpretentious solo performer, I was utterly in awe of her originality and creativity" I was lucky to catch her performance at WOMAD this year, so stoked to have Mihirangi on board for Gum Ball, she’s amazing!

While Melbourne 5 piece Downhills Home may have a solid grasp on 60's and 70's psychedelic country rock and a love for the classic folk songsmiths of the era, there’s an undeniable authenticity in their music, an authenticity matched by very few bands in the country today. Last year Downhills Home were hand picked as main support for American rock stars The Dandy Warhols, on their Australian tour. Rolling off the buzz of massive attention, the band headed into the studio to complete their follow up album, The Wolves In The Woods, another amazing record full of raw and earthy quality, ambitious orchestration and arrangement, featuring special guest such as Mia Dyson, Laura Jean and Jen Anderson. The album has just been released on itunes and will be fresh on the merch table at Gum Ball. These guys are an ear delicacy for the country heart, like a wee little mushroom, hand picked by Gummy himself, listen up and enjoy.

After 200 performances in 2008 alone, it's fair to say Byron Bay/Northern NSW-based Rock/alternative blues outfit Marshall & the Fro are one of Australia's hardest working bands!!! From humble beginnings in Byron Bay to strutting the stage at national award ceremonies, Marshall and the Fro have rocked some of the biggest festivals, sharing the stage with some of the biggest names in the business. The band have worked hard and are now in demand nationally and internationally and its all for a good reason, these guys go off! Comprised of Marshall OKell on Vocals, Guitar, Slide guitar and percussion, Newest menber Tracy Stephens on Bass (Tracy Bassy) and Jacob Mann (Poodle) on Drums, Marshall & the fro really are a refreshing modern face, generating a progressive rock/roots based musical energy that, seen it or not, is sure to get you pumping on the dance floor every time. Catch these guys at East Coast Blues and Roots or Gum Ball.

www.myspace.com/marshallmusic

'Delta Disco Sex Funk'

From the husky delta of the steamy inner Sydney streets, comes a band who unravel contemporary roots, funk, soul and blues, to create something deliciously sexy and new that you can't help but groove to … Their infamously huge live show has secured industry attention, with one Australian "Cigar" legend describing Extended Family as "a cross between Sly and The Family Stone, and Frank Zappa". www.myspace.com/extendedfamilymusic

Cryin Skies are a mysterious 8 piece (Horns section and all) alt country'ish band from the inner west of Sydney. Think Wilco crossed with Drive By Truckers and Lucinda Williams. With members from bands like Blue Juice, Front End Loader, Custard, Dogbuoy, the Louisville Sluggers, the Ramblers and Mad Dash they are making one hell of a party out of every performance, no matter how sad some of those songs can be!

"Cryin Skies really are a beautiful sounding experience, don't miss anything they do", -Neil Young

Indie rock outsiders Errol J.M and the Trade Secrets form part of a staple diet for the sonically challenged. Their sumptuous style of fuzzy guitar driven indie rock has been gloriously serving up bite size pieces of pure pleasure since their formation 4 years ago.

Emerging from a seven year tenure as co-founder of Australian indie rock, road warriors Muzzy Pep, in 2006 Errol J. Moyle wasted little time releasing his own debut album, under the banner Errol JM, and titled “The Truth Is Boring”, the album catapulted, receiving high-level national airplay, glowing reviews and a place amongst Australia’s best independent releases for 2006 on Triple J.

2 years down the track and the next chapter is ready to roll. Once again recruiting Muzzy drummer Luke Bennett and fellow Novocastrians Cameron McKenzie and Anthony Frampton and now known as Errol JM and the Trade Secrets, harnessing the secret ability as hard working tradies, they built their own studio to produce the second long player, creatively titled Errol J.M and the Trade Secrets. This album sees the band finding its core sound, the new album toted as being far more abrasive and angular listening than its predecessor. so go on feed up on thes guys at Gum Ball, tell us what you think it taste like!

www.myspace.com/erroljm

Kira Puru & the Very Geordie Malones will make you want to get your cigars out and your slinky dance moves on. Fronted by local artisan and diva, Kira Puru, the wine-stricken, dark-blues & jazz influenced four-piece performs a sultry style reminiscent to something from a smoky New York basement-bar in the 1930’s.

Driven by the low, rumbling jazzy tones of the upright bass, complimented by tasteful, syncopated drum beats, Kira Puru’s voice is spine tingling, her soulful vocal lines inspired by the great jazz divas of the past, make this performance something special. Relatively new to the local music scene, they have recently recorded a debut EP at The Institute Studio in Newcastle and are looking very much forward to revealing their stylish silk music to you at Gum Ball.

The Evening Son are a big friendly giant, an established hard hitting Newcastle three piece act that throw out a wide sound spectrum, a suspenseful energetic live performance with a combination of vibrant melodies to volatile quakes of noise. The Evening Son are in the top list of a very healthy yet competitive Newcastle scene, catch them showcasing new material off their long awaited debut release.

www.myspace.com/mounzers

Kim Churchill is an 18 year old up an coming blues and roots performer who creates a completely unique sound from his chosen instrument, the guitar. With around 12 years experience including 8 years of classical training, Kim underlines his fiery passionate style of playing with a level of technique and intricacy that definitely has to be seen to be believed.

This guy fresh out of school and now on the road, is going to be huge!

www.myspace.com/kimchurchill1

Matt Southon’s music is inspired by passion and fire of old style bluesman the likes of Son House and Charlie Patton. With a beat up slide guitar and a hollering singing style, Matt can’t hide the fact that his love of the old blues has combined with a love of harder stuff like the Ramones or the Dead Kennedy’s, and modern legends like Jeff Lang, Lloyd Spiegel and Geoff Achison; resulting in a 100 mile an hour crash or crash through performance style. Living on a bush property near Bega, Matt’s verandah has played home to much of his raucous stomping about, with his style developing through absolutely no need to turn it down!

Local soul kitten Zoe K is definitely more woman then women, backed by her all class band The Money Shots, this soul blues sweet heart is blowing away crowds up and down the east coast with her fiery passionate display and up front on stage antics. Set to kick things off nice and sweaty for a beautiful Gum Ball day, be sure to catch this leading lady in action, if things get too much, she might even throw you a towel.

Boys Remember when Country Music was tough and dangerous? Hank Williams O.D-ing, George Jones driving lawnmowers, Willie Nelson, Roger Miller, Johnny Cash Patsy Cline, Gram Parsons - wild, colourful people making great, edgy music. You don’t find that sort of spirit very often in today’s blander modern music world…unless you go see the Dennis boys band…even if you don’t like country, chances are you’ll still dig the Dennis Boys.

They play country music the way it’s meant to be played - gritty and aggressive with tight arrangements, great chops and beautiful singing. The result owes as much to Led Zeppelin as it does to Hank Williams and Elvis, its unmistakable country twang tempered by vicious guitars and a solid groove that’s flipped wigs in city venues as righteously as in the Muswellbrook pub.

www.myspace.com/thedennisboysband

Cass Eager Bondi native Cass Eager’ is a prolific and inventive songwriter, her voice is gravelly and soulful, her music travels the gamut from soul to blues, folk to funk and roots to reggae. Her distinctive pipes and guitar playing have drawn comparisons to everyone from Bonnie Raitt to Jack Johnson, Nina Simone and Ben Harper . . . with a hint of Janis Joplin always thrown in. Despite these comparisons, ‘soul sister Cass is no pale imitation’ (NDL).

She’s been described as ‘one of Sydney’s most gifted singer songwriters, whose refreshingly honest, raspy, almost Joplin-esque like voice is hers alone, and whose eclectic songwriting will spellbind the listener.’ (Drum Media). On stage, Cass is armed with an acoustic and lap steel guitar, electric ukulele and stompbox and is one very classy act.

Nick & Leisl are an enchanting duo. Two unique voices, flowing harmonies and captivating songs seem to bring them a loving reception wherever they go. Their distinct sound is bred from two varying influences ranging from Nick’s love of Cat Stevens and James Taylor to Liesl’s classical songbooks and the local folk music of her childhood homeland Sweden. Nick and Leisl present a sound that fills large theatres and small village churches alike. Described asa more mature Angus and Julia Stone, a more melodic Waifs, they recently picked up an ABC music award for their EP release Wyong River. They’ve toured the world, played packed venues and major festivals in Sweden Germany and the UK, supported acts such as Harry Manx, Kasey Chambers and Kate Miller Heidke, now they are coming to the Gum Ball bush to enchant us all.

Claude Hay is a an emerging solo artist from the Blue Mountains of Australia who uses live looping with the sitar, baritone guitar, drums and percussion whilst singing to create his own amazingly orchestrated full band sound. Claude has taken his music right round the globe, recently returning from a highly successful tour of the US supporting his debut full length album, playing at festivals and venues all over the East and West coasts. His upbeat blues music displays an amazing level of positive roots energy, a distinct connection and respect with the world and his instruments.