Ballina RSL
There’s an awesome show on at the Ballina RSL on Friday – Jock Barnes; professional surfer, musician and songwriter, who has collected a world of inspiration to create original lyrical content and beautiful re-workings of his acoustic blues, rock and pop influences.
Saturday at the beautiful beachside rissole you can catch Turtle Boy in a fantastic new duo who play all the sing-along hits, with a twist. Featuring acoustic guitar, loops, big vocals and crowd-pleasing saxophone solos, Turtle Boy is sure to please.
Rails
Ben Walsh kicks off the post-Easter week at the Rails on Wednesday – Walsh is one of Australia’s most innovative musicians – although he is widely known as a drummer and percussionist, Ben is also a composer and sound designer, studio engineer and has worked in many varied disciplines of artistic practice and directed many stage productions. So, you can expect some tasty aural treats.
On Thursday at the Rails you can catch the Marshal Okell Duo. If you hang out in Byron, you just know Okell’s music – and psychic or sceptic, you’d be forgiven for thinking that a man born under a full moon, on a Good Friday the 13th, must have ‘something else’ going on? Well, just as his timely arrival in the world set the precedent, there’s nothing coincidental or ordinary about Marshall’s music. I dare you.
Saturday sees the Matty Rodgers Band at the Rails. Matty’s heartfelt storytelling comes from the depths of his soul, and once you start to listen, he will make you feel like he is singing about you and your life. Pure, raw, human emotion pours out of his lyrics and performance, earning him awards for both vocal performance and song writing.
On Monday, a new week begins in this crazy world of increasing distraction, and in strolls Tim Stokes. He’s a big-hearted man with a pocket full of songs, reminding us of who we are and what really matters.
He is followed on Tuesday by Isaac Frankham taking well-known songs and spicing them up with grooves and sonic textures. Isaac has people on their feet dancing, or quietly contemplating his more soulful tunes, wherever and whenever he plays.
Beachy
On Thursday at the Beach Hotel you can see the double headliners Boy Soda and Taj Ralph; two leading lights in the burgeoning Australian R&B/Soul scene. In the post pandemic landscape, these artists have both managed to create an exciting array of music, delivering numerous thoughtful nuggets in 2022 for us to sink our teeth into.
Boasting a diversity of sounds that is truly rare among up-and-coming artists, Boy Soda has made waves in the music world with his impressive repertoire.
Described as being ‘at the forefront of Australia’s indie-R&B scene’, Taj Ralph is flourishing into a unique and experimental songwriter and producer.
On Friday at the Beachy there’s Hayley Grace, a multi-talented, singer-songwriter. Her soulful, unmistakable sound, and her energetic live shows that loop guitar, vocals, beat boxing and percussion are an explosion of funk, reggae, soul, R&B and trip hop.
Saturday’s crew has it all. Sex on Toast are a big band who specialise in raw early ’80s funk, hard-edged new jack swing, blazing improvisation and heartfelt blue-eyed soul. You’ll love them (with or without the Vegemite!).
Sunday is fun day and the Beach Hotel have Felicity Lawless, a one-woman, world music experience, and Ragga Jump will be there changing the world one song at a time along with The 4’20’ Sound, Byron Bay’s reggae and dancehall collective.
All in all it’s a great week for local music on home turf – check out each venue’s website for more information.
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