• Emerging local singer-songwriter, Airly Embleton-Mew is inspired by the world around her and the people in it, particularly the coastal landscape of Mallacoota and surrounds where she grew up.

    When not making music, Airly is studying to be a paramedic, working as a lifeguard and continuing her visual arts practice. Grounded in the teachings of some of Mallacoota’s local musicians, fellow band members from the ‘Dirty Soles’ as well as touring artists, Airly uses piano, vocals and guitar to create a folk, jazz and indie inspired sound.

    Airly recently featured in the Sing a Song of Sixpence line up with Delsinki, Brooke Taylor, Jimmy Phoenix, Mick Thomas and Justin Brady and is looking forward to sharing the stage with an incredible line up of artists at the Far East Music Festival.

  • Festival-goers are up for a treat when Aboriginal band Black Satin hits the stage: the band’s unique blend of driving rock, blues, and reggae is guaranteed to have the dance floor packed from the first song to the last.

    Black Satin’s unmistakable rock-reggae sound has evolved over almost 50 years, underpinned by the rock-solid backline of Nicky Moffat (bass, vocals) and Peter Hood (drums), who joined their cousins Ricky Harrison (lead guitar) and Wayne Thorpe to perform covers and originals throughout the 70s and beyond.

    Moffat and Harrison were also original members of pioneering Aboriginal rock-reggae band No Fixed Address (the first Aboriginal band to tour internationally, appear on Countdown, and break into mainstream Australian music). NFA was inducted into the National Indigenous Music Awards’ Hall of Fame in 2011, and Moffat continues to tour with them to this day.

    For the festival, Black Satin’s lineup will feature original members Nicky, Peter, and Ricky, with bandmates Sean Moffatt (lead guitar) and Robert Champion (lead vocal).

  • Blue Moon Marquee (Canada) write and perform original compositions influenced by anything that swings, jumps or grooves. A.W. Cardinal (vocals/guitar) and Jasmine Colette (Jasmine Ohlhauser) a.k.a. Badlands Jass (vocals/bass/drums) have played for a vast gamut of crowds at jazz clubs, lindy hop dance halls, folk venues, blues haunts, hospitals, prisons, markets, motorcycle joints, dive bars and prestigious festival stages.

    The result of 9 years of rigorous crisscrossing Europe and North America is a distinct energy & style from this acclaimed duo. Carving a path through blues, jazz, jump jive, folk, Country, swing and Indigenous soul with an authentic spirit, their sound does not idle easily in one certain category. It stomps and struts through the wilds, conjuring a blend that pulls the different parts of their musical worlds together, taking the tones of early blues, the expressions of jazz, the heart of country, the spirit of folk, the swagger of soul & the rhythm of roll.

    Their gift is they bring all these elements together without anything sounding out of step. They collect the roots and smoothly braid them with lyrics that often touch on the underbelly of society, woven with elements of Indigenous storytelling and poetic cadence.

  • Six-piece Victorian based country tinged alt rock’n roll band Bones and Jones are well renowned for their unique brand of infectiously memorable songwriting and impressively tight live show.

    With two critically acclaimed albums and a collaborative EP with Folk Bitch Trio to their name, the band’s output matches the frenetic energy of their live show which has seen them support notable artists including King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, The Nude Party (USA), The Murlocs, Twin Peaks (USA) and appear at festivals including Port Fairy Folk Festival, Meadow, Boogie Festival and more.

    Their unique blend of uplifting rock’n roll puts Bones and Jones as one of the most exciting bands in the country and if recent double single ‘My Friend’ / ‘Taxi’ is anything to go by, their new music will only support this case more.

  • The latest music project Charlie Needs Braces, comes from Naarm musician Charlie Woods. Charlie is a proud GuriNgai woman, a direct descendant of Bungaree and Matora. The lands running from the central coast of NSW along the mouth of the Hawkesbury river and into Northern Sydney.

    Charlie Woods performs regularly with The Teskey Brothers, Gang of Youths, The Seven Ups, TEK TEK Ensemble, and WVR BABY, but now embarks on her own journey of brass and looping, so get ready to immerse yourself in all things Charlie Needs Braces with this album Saltwater People; a collections of songs that will make you dance, stories to help you heal, and everything between.

  • The Chordroys are a 4 piece band featuring George Schweitzer on lead vocals and rhythm guitar, Finley Cooke on lead guitar and back up vocals. The rhythmic backbone consists of Billy Cooke on bass guitar and Rory Munt on drums.

    The Chordroys play original music in an Aussie/indie/rock style that will get anyone up for a boogie.

  • Far East Music Festival are super-excited to announce a very special edition to the festival line up.

    The ‘Coota Ni-Van Boys from Vanuatu are a group of 15 men who joined our community in late 2022 as part of an employment program at the Mallacoota Abalone Co-Op.

    Recently, the men connected more deeply with the local community after their families and communities were severely impacted by two cyclones in three days that tore through the island and destroyed most of their homes.

    Rev. Jude Benton and the Cooperative Parish of Croajingolong hosted a fundraiser at St Peter’s Church on one warm Saturday afternoon in March. The Mallacoota community showed up in droves, with over 100 people spilling out of the Church doors. We listened, we laughed, we cried, we danced, and connected through shared lived experiences of our disaster impacted communities.

    Later the boys dressed in regalia and shared a dance, outside, with the lakeview and coastal landscape as a backdrop.

    Out of this event was born an overwhelming call from the community to hear again, the men’s stories and songs, to experience their dances and learn about their culture, and to connect through that universal language we all call music.

    So here you have it Mallacoota and Far East Gippsland, visitors alike.

    ANNOUNCING the Coota Ni-Van Boys in the Far East Music Festival line up!

Volunteers

We still have plenty of behind the scenes work to put on this amazing festival: contact us here if you’d like to help.

  • Way out West... in the Far East corner of Victoria... a ragtag bunch of Mallacoota locals got together for "A Country Practice". The result was a collection of country tunes ranging from the traditional fare of Hank, George and Johnny through to the alt-country stylings of Gram Parsons, Creedence and the Stones.

    Having now stuffed a number of successful gigs into the holster, we continue to roundup whenever we can to Practice, and to work on our ever expanding repertoire, with a view to giving anything a go (at least once!)

  • Dallas is a performer, composer, teacher and multi instrumentalist whose creativity and musicality was nurtured while growing up in the vibrant artistic community of Mallacoota.

    Her recent solo piano works focus on the exploration of abandoned spaces and feature a series of pieces written about the shipwrecks of the Wilderness Coast.

    Dallas writes emotive contemporary solo piano works influenced by composers of the impressionist and modern era such as Claude Debussy, Alexander Scriabin and Erik Satie.

  • What do Jim Moginie from Midnight Oil, Steve Pigram from the Pigram Brothers, revered singer Kylie Auldist of the Bamboos and Cookin’ on 3 Burners, Mick Thomas from Weddings Parties Anything, up and coming Melbourne songstress Freya Josephine Hollick, Brian Ritchie from the Violent Femmes, Richard Tognetti of the Australian Chamber Orchestra, cinematographer Jon Frank, Aussie rock icon Tim Rogers and astounding indigenous musician and Yamatji Man Mark Atkins all have in common?

    DELSINKI has joined creative forces with them all.

    Shape-shifting uncategorizable post-colonialist DELSINKI may not yet be the sort of household name that such a striking nom de musique warrants, but in the last 18 months or so he’s certainly made a name for himself as the producer of KEEP THE CIRCLE UNBROKEN – a hit show paying tribute to the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band’s legendary album and Americana/Alt-country touchstone Will The Circle Be Unbroken – and SING A SONG OF SIXPENCE – a new and similarly loved series of “in the round” shows that recently completed a successful run in regional Victoria and is set to go again.

  • FarOut is a six piece band grown in Mallacoota after the fires and despite covid. We are a diverse group of creative people, with Cheryle on smoking piano accordion, Jim on warm fuzzy guitar and vocals, Phil on heartbeat didge, Lisa on soaring violin, Kate on quirky vocals and guitar, and Lou on sublime vocals. We perform a wide range of songs with lyrics that are meaningful and heartfelt, including originals. Audiences enjoy our humour and engagement, particularly when our “apprentice” musicians Brendan, Zara and Pip join us or we allow Phil to play percussion on squeaky pigs.

  • The Figmentz are a 6 piece soul, funk, roots band from South East, NSW, featuring amazing vocals and 5 part harmonies, searing guitar solos, a funky horn section and the tightest rhythm section around. They have been performing around the Far South Coast for over 10 years. Inspiring and uplifting their audiences, they are renown for getting everyone up out of their seats and dancing to great grooves.

    Having to take time out after the devasting bushfires in their region and during the lockdowns the Figmentz responded by writing and recording an album of original songs written by various band members. These are songs that are sophisticated, and musical, songs that speak to caring for our environment, sustainability and songs about love and understanding.

    ‘I have always regarded ... the members of The Figmentz as musicians and performers of the highest standard… and have always been amazed by the group’s professionalism, musicality and versatility.’ – Frankie J Holden, Old ‘55

  • Genre-expanding outfit The Grogans are a trio of best friends from Melbourne who explore nuanced manoeuvres in surf, punk, blues, garage, psych, rockabilly and reggae. Banding together in high school playing backyard gigs and weekly jam nights, seasoned musicians Quin Grunden, Angus Vasic and Jordan Lewis shared their first official release Cacteyed in the summer of ‘16. The EP’s instantaneous and lasting reception was matched by the band’s playful successor Twangs n’ Cans the following year.

    Their third EP Grogan Grove (2018) featured the outfit’s still lauded live favourite ‘Lemon To My Lime’ which has now clocked over four million Spotify streams and subsequently catapulted The Grogans to the top of the nation’s ones-to-watch list. That same summer, the boys kicked off their first national headline tour including festival slots at Melbourne Music Week’s CIVIC SOUNDS and NinchFest.

    With their infectious coming-of-age surf single ‘Just A Kid’ the first tantalising taste of a larger incarnation of work on the way, The Grogans continue to prove their status as one of Australia’s most intriguing acts of recent times.

The Grogans artist photo

  • For as long as Isy can remember there’s been music around.

    Growing up in Mallacoota in such a strong music culture, jamming with family and friends, playing golf club gigs and having curry nights boogies were a staple.

    After moving to Melbourne at the start of 2020, away from the usual gang of musicians, she began writing her own music, in a tiny bedroom with a Garageband, piano and guitar set up.

    Her music draws inspiration from some of her favourite artists including: Arlo parks, Lauryn hill, Lianne la havas and other jazz/soul and rhythm/blues music played growing up.

Kee'ahn artist photo

  • Kee’ahn is a First Nations musician from North Queensland whose name derives from the Wik word meaning to dance, and to play. Effortlessly blending the sounds of soul, R&B and pop throughout their music, Kee'ahn weaves lush melodies and words reminiscent of heartbreak and healing. Their rich vocals and hopeful yet vulnerable lyrics champion finding strength in our struggles, encouraging us all to reflect, reinvent, and rejoice in all of our own journeys. Kee’ahn honours their name and Ancestors through their soulful music.

    ‘Kee’ahn has the ability to floor you with her spectacular voice, and as a songwriter she brings intimate moments to the surface like she’s lifting a feather to the sky - it’s mystifying and gracious.’ - Nkechi Anele , Roots ‘N’ All presenter – Triple J

  • Ketzia and Mike Webb have been captivating audiences in the far east of Victoria for over a decade, breathing new life into classic tunes from the 20s, 30s and 40s. Mike's unparalleled skills on the piano provide a sublime backdrop for Ketzia's rich, emotive vocal stylings, transporting listeners back to the smoke-filled dance halls of the golden years of jazz. They are joined at the Far East Music Festival by the virtuosic James Rust on bass and the supremely talented Mark Grunden on percussion, making this one act you definitely don't want to miss.

  • Kristin Rule is a bicycle-riding, nature-loving, cellist, composer & technologist based in the remote Victorian town of Mallacoota. She graduated from the Victorian College of the Arts majoring in Music Composition in the year 2000 and has since forged a unique pathway in the music industry via her passion for cello, live looping and moving images.

    Kristin has worked as a film composer on a number of Australian feature-length documentaries and TV series including Araatika - Rise Up (dir Larissa Behrendt), We Don't Need a Map (dir Warwick Thornton), The Scribe (dir Ruth Cullen), Backtrack Boys (dir Cathy Scott), The Beach (dir Warwick Thornton) and The Leadership (dir Ili Baré). She was co-nominated alongside fellow composer Megan Washington for the AACTA Awards Best Original Score in a Documentary for 'The Beach' (dir Warwick Thornton) in 2022. In early 2018, Kristin sustained a serious left-hand trauma resulting in a permanent impairment. No longer able to play cello she is currently retraining as a violist, her viola affectionately referred to as her HTC (Hand Therapy Cello).

  • From the wings of a darkened stage drifts the evocative, slightly haunting sound of clapsticks. A stoically paced figure slowly emerges singing in his traditional language. This intriguing introduction heralds a performance by renowned Aboriginal singer/songwriter and proud Mutti Mutti man Kutcha Edwards.

    Multi-award winner Kutcha uses his mesmeric music to create connections across cultures, generations, and spaces. His charismatic stage presentations deepen our understanding of Australia’s first people.

    As a respected elder and survivor from the Stolen Generations, a Kutcha Edwards live experience takes you on a journey with stories from his life, that segue so eloquently into each song choice lifting your spirit. At the heart of it Kutcha’s music is pure soul.

    His latest album ‘Circling Time’ is magnetic. The album is ‘a profound and a timely reminder of the incredible depth and talent of one of the most inspiring voices within the country’. Forte Magazine.

  • Monica Jasmine Karo, also known as MpathSoul is a singer-songwriter, actor, spoken-word poet and multi-disciplinary artist. A proud Gunai and Gunditjmara woman originally from Gippsland, Monica has spent the last 10 years performing in various festivals, theatre company's and events around Victoria and interstate.

    Most recently Monica played a leading role in Ilbijerri Theatre Company's production , 'Heart is a Wasteland' written by John Harvey, directed by Rachael Maza, which toured to Darwin Festival in 2021 and other venues such as Arts Centre Melbourne with a sold out season in 2022; showing both her musical and theatre talent. Monica was recently a part of a theatre promenade 'The Dreaming Project' at Footscray Community Arts Centre performing her music, poetry and dance in collaboration with other First Nations Artists; a multidisciplinary show that highlighted First Nations culture, interconnection to land, water, sky and the legacy we leave behind for our future generations - Her music is soulful with flares on folk and r'n'b and speaks to these many elements of healing, connection and spirit.

  • Nikea Brooks-Hayes & Dre Wicks have been playing music together for a number of years and are an exciting young duo emerging in the south coast music scene. They have performed at multiple Festivals (Wanderer Festival/ Giiyong), Community gatherings along with small gigs.

    Both live in Eden NSW, and together they share a love for Music connection to Family, Culture and Country.

  • Oldmate is that guy you knew from the city who had all those classic vinyl techno tracks in his collection. This Mallacoota local is a DJ that will rock the dance floor with a late 90’s techno style, classic house vocals and deep grooves and then go and feed the cows on the farm the next morning.

    A family man with a connection to nature, Oldmate is a bit of a renaissance man finding himself behind the decks perhaps more than even he expected. Playing 100 % vinyl, he’s a firm crowd pleaser and trust us he will make you want to shake it.

  • Olivia Lay is a 22 year old musician living in Lakes Entrance and plays a primarily acoustic genre inspired by the likes of John Mayer, John Butler and Newton Faulkner. Some of her career highlights include supporting Ruby Fields, Baker Boy and Daniel Champagne, as well as winning the regional battle of the bands competition, playing at NYE on the Hill and prominent venues such as The Tote Collingwood and The Palais Hepburn-Springs.

  • Ryley Gray is a young Mallacoota-based singer/songwriter whose music is both intensely personal, introspective and yet speaks to the experiences of his time and place. Originally from Sydney, Ryley moved to Mallacoota after the 2019/2020 bushfires.

    Many of his songs were inspired by his experiences in Mallacoota. He has performed with many outstanding visiting and local artists, including This Way North and Mark Lang. He performed one of songs with the Melbourne Chamber Orchestra.

  • Alt-country singer-songwriter Sean McGuinness was raised along the Snowy River in Far-East Gippsland. Sean melds his distinctive guitar style adapted from old-time banjo, with honest lyrics inspired by the people and landscapes of the places he’s known.

    Sean has played his unique brand of music from Victoria’s high country to remote coastal towns and beyond, supporting the likes of Kim Churchill, and festivals including Sailor’s Grave Deep Winter Festival and the Stratford Shakespeare Festival.

  • Winner of the 2022 Blues’n’Roots QMusic award, Sue Ray is often compared to artists like Bonnie Raitt, Chris Stapleton and Lucinda Williams, with her own authentic country/blues and roots sound, her inimitable smoky rich voice, and charismatic performances.

    A First Nations artist, Sue criss-crosses genres appealing to a vast demographic.

    Sue has been recognised with three QMusic awards, and multiple nominations including Best Country Album at the AIR Independent Music awards, Female Artist of the year at the 2012 QMusic awards and Most Promising New Talent at the Deadly Awards.

  • In 2018, Things Of Stone & Wood’s multi-instrumentalist Justin Brady and lead singer Greg Arnold played a spontaneous duo show in Sydney and thought "well, that was awesome ... let's do that again". They found that folk-rock energy which was always at the heart of the 90’s chart topping acoustic outfit, and they felt right at home in the stripped back set up.

    Greg Arnold has just returned from eight years living in Geneva, Switzerland where his wife Helen (yes, that Helen) was working for the Red Cross, whilst Justin Brady is back touring after his house burnt down in the Mallacoota bushfires. Both musicians are highly decorated – winning ARIAs with Things Of Stone & Wood as well as having decorated careers on their own. Justin has won the Tamworth’s Golden Harmonica Award and Greg was APRA Songwriter of the Year. But, playing live is what they do best of all and they can’t wait to perform together again.

    This is a chance to hear these wonderful songs right up close, remember how good they are as well as be reminded of what an electrifying instrumentalist Justin Brady is.

  • Tomasi is a homegrown artist, DJ, and sound engineer working within the vibrant music, art and culture scene locally and throughout Victoria. Tomasi is co-founder of the hugely successful Bastion Beats, a one day electronic and live music festival hosted in Mallacoota annually.

    An artist who has a unique ability to take you on a sonic journey with a distinctive style that will hit that sweet spot of the night. From down tempo tech to deep house with a post disco trim Tomasi is the DJ guaranteed to get the crowd moving and leave a smile on every face.

  • The Uleni sound pays tribute to the traditional styles of reggae, rocksteady, r&b and blues in a fresh and contemporary new roots music "Uleni Style". The Melbourne based group play each live show like it is their last combining their varied musical backgrounds to create a world musical experience performance with passion and excitement to get people moving. No holds barred, no prisoners, just funky grooves soulful vocal arrangements innovative songwriting.

    After a long hiatus, Uleni are back in the studio recording their second album. They’ll be bringing the new album home to Mallacoota to launch it at the Far East Music Festival in April 2023.

  • White Chocolate Diva Divine and Da Funk is the ultimate 6 piece dance machine! Hailing from the far reaches of East Gippsland, this dynamic group of artists brings a distinctive groove to classic funk from artists such as Maceo Parker, The Average White Band, Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, CHIC and Patti LaBelle. Throw in a bit of Daft Punk, Lizzo and Outkast, and you have THE recipe for great funkin’ fun!

    This band is driven by the powerhouse rhythm section of Mark Grunden on drums and Nick Fischer on Bass. Groovin texture is layered by the soulful keys of Gary Gatter and the psychedelic rhythms of Nate Graham on guitar. Add in the percussive and sensual sounds of the most recent member of the group Dean Kalait on saxophone, and you have a funk-a-gasm!

    Up front is D-Eva Grunden - unrecognisable as her ‘alto ego’ White Chocolate Diva Divine - a fun force of funk nature teleported straight from the 70’s! She delights in engaging with the audience and sings with the passion and power she is renowned for – soulful and raw.

    The songs the band chooses often have the trademark social dimension of urban funk - not shying away from commenting on inequality, social issues and political bullshit.

    For the Far East Music Festival, the band is inviting an injection of local talent; local mini-diva’s on BV’s and percussionists that hit all kinds of stuff! …. to help create a show you will have to dance with and won’t forget .

    White Chocolate Diva Divine and Da Funk love to play live and they won’t let you forget it! If you need some crazy fun with a dynamic Diva and an infectious, danceable beat - this band is the one to hang out with.