BLUE SHADDY
Blue Shaddy is an Australian blues/roots band who formed in 1999.
Biography
Blue Shaddy have independently released four albums and have received national airplay on Triple J.The group has been showcased in the United States through Tin Records. Blue Shaddy was nominated for the Tin Records 2007 New Music compilation.
Singer songwriter and guitarist Jim McClelland, his brother Graham McClelland (harmonica) and Sandra McClelland (bass guitarist and wife of Jim) were born and bred in Western Australia's remote wheat belt, which has had a strong influence on their music, especially songs such as "Don't wanna die here" and "People talk". Having lived in the city of Perth for some 14 years and meeting band members, Malaysian born Arun Satgunasingam (drummer and percussionist) and percussionist Sri Lankan born Kanchana Karunaratna, the band has been exposed to new influences which leads to what Blue Shaddy are today.
About Blue Shaddy
'Energetic Physical Presence and Power' instantly describes what you can expect from 'Blue Shaddy'
Australian Blues/ Roots/ Country band 'Blue Shaddy' are a band with connections, given that founding members, Jim McClelland, (guitarist singer/songwriter) Graham (Belly) McClelland (harmonica) and Sandy McClelland ( bass guitarist) are family.
Born and bred in the Western Australian town of Kellerberrin these three have not lost that rustic, relaxed country charm that has endeared them to so many. Known for their infectious amalgam of blues /roots, come country played with an energetic physical presence and power that leaves you with a broad smile and a new found energy.
'Blue Shaddy's musical path was inevitable with brothers Jim and Belly sharing a small house on the family farm, and with television baned from the house, considered poison for the brain these two would sit at the kitchen table and trade Hound Dog Taylor and Sonnie and Brownie licks nightly for months on end. A meeting soon after with like-minded, and also musically spirited 'Sandy Naughton' found her also sitting at that same table going through what was to become the Blue Shaddy apprenticeship. Some 19 years later, Jim and Sandy have now married and along with Belly have maintained a passionate and unwavering commitment to their music, forging their way on festival circuit and gaining fans far and wide.
With these three as the driving force behind 'Blue Shaddy', a band is still not totally complete without a drummer.
Having had the pleasure over the years of playing with some of Australia's finest skin men, 'Dean Wuksta', Chris Oldman, Conrad Parker, Rick Eastman, and life long friend Arun Satgunasingam and Kanchana Karunaratna, Angus Diggs and Callum Kramer. Blue Shaddy have found themselves doing a complete 360 and have the p;easure of have Mr Dean Wuksta back on the kit after some 17 years apart. It just proves there is nothing better than the original reciepe.
With The solid unformidable groove and direction of Dean Wuksta on the skins' combined with Sandy's rock solid commitment to holding down groove these two have moulded a tangible chemistry, allowing Jim and Belly the freedom to once again trade those licks and bring together their raw exuberance and understanding of each other’s musical talents.
'The result is a whirlpool of foot stomping infectious energy.'
'Blue Shaddy' have just released their 4th album 'Across the Road', an impressive batch of songs conveying strong expression of life in the moment. Diving deeper into the explorations of family / self and relationships, Jim returns to the electric guitar for a number of songs and some very tasty slide playing throughout the album which leaves you with a strong sense that 'Blue Shaddy' have returned to their roots, but this time in a more mature and comfortable place with their songwriting.<
Fans of Blues/ Country / Roots and all the blurred sub genres in between will without doubt should add this album to their collection.
Distributed through 'Only Blues Music'
www.onlybluesmusic.com
www.blueshaddy.com
Festival highlights:
Woodford Folk Festival
West Coast Blues and Roots
East Coast Blues and Roots
Blues on Broadbeach
Queenscliffe Music Festival
Port Fairy Folk Festival
Narooma Blues and Roots Festival
Batemans Bay Blues and Roots Festival
The Mordialloc Food Wine and Muisc Festival
The Australian Blues Awards
Blues at Bridgetown Festival
The Vintage Blues Festival
Ublues Blues and Roots Festival Singapore
Winners Music Oz Blues and Roots Award 2007
Blues @ Broadbeach Awards 2007 Best Instrumentalist 'Belly McClelland'
P&O Blues Cruise's
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