Interviews
Byron Echo
Interview with Akmal Saleh
The Byron Comedy Festival is on this weekend with the event closing out with Akmal Saleh’s third show, proving that he who laughs last,...
Byron Echo
Interview with Hiatus Kaiyote
Held on Gumbaynggirr country, Storyland is a brand spanking new, one-day music and arts festival at Park Beach Reserve in Coffs Harbour.
Melbourne-based, worldwide-beloved, twice-Grammy-nominated...
Byron Echo
Interview with Don Walker
It’s already been a big year for Don Walker and, with the release of his latest album Lightning in a Clear Blue Sky last...
Byron Echo
Interview with Margaret Blades of The Gold Coast Chamber Orchestra
Souvenirs will be performed at the Murwillumbah Civic Centre, 10-14 Tumbulgum Road, Murwillumbah on Sunday, 14 May at 2.30pm.
Byron Echo
Interview with Ting Lim, comedian
Hot from her run on the Australian festival circuit, stand-up comedian, Ting Lim, brings her solo show Every Ting or No Ting to the Byron Comedy Festival in June. Seven caught up with Lim to find out just why she is so funny…
Byron Echo
My apology to Daniel …UH! I mean… Nathaniel Rateliff
Eve Jeffery - 2
It’s been a wonderful run up to the 2023 Bluesfest – the festival folk have been really great lining up awesome artists to be interviewed for our entertainment pages.
Byron Echo
The Long Sunset
The Long Sunset will feature four time Hottest 100 featured band, Lime Cordiale, who will bring their suave grooves to the Scenic Rim’s favourite...
Byron Echo
Interview with Guy Maddison from Mudhoney
Seminal Seattle four-piece, Mudhoney, are returning to Australia marking nine years since their last local shows. A mammoth odyssey spanning April and May will see them playing headline shows across six states. Next week they will also release their new album, Plastic Eternity.
Byron Echo
Interview with Southern Avenue’s Tierinii Jackson
Abounding with musical creativity, confident songcraft, and deeply felt emotion, Southern Avenue marries soul power and jam band liberation with gospel, blues and righteous R&B to craft their own timeless brand of American music. Seven spoke to Southern Avenue’s Tierinii Jackson last week, in late winter Memphis, Tennessee…
Byron Echo
Interview with Sidestep Kids Festival director, Valley Lipcer
Sidestep Kids Festival is a wonderful, free festival for kids and families on this weekend at Banner Park in Brunswick Heads. The Echo jumped...
Byron Echo
Interview with Donnie Borzestowski from, Gang of Youths
Gang of Youths were formed in Sydney, Australia, in 2011 and within months of their first gig, they’d started to attract a rabid fanbase...
Entertainment News
Interview with Remmel and Herman from Steve ’n’ Seagulls
Eve Jeffery - 0
Once upon a time in Finland – someone came up with an idea to combine bluegrass, Finnish folk and rock/metal music. The outcome was Steve ’n’ Seagulls. This band’s live music video covers, including their take on AC/DC classic ‘Thunderstruck’, have to be heard to be believed.
Byron Echo
Wo-oh-ohhhhh, listen to the music…
For over five decades, The Doobie Brothers have been delivering roots-based, harmony-laden, guitar-driven rock’n’roll – all of which recently culminated in an induction into...
Entertainment News
Interview with Steve Earle
Steve Earle is not a fluffball of peace, light and unicorns, though he wears his heart on his sleeve – and his jacket and his jeans. It can get messy. And at 68 his work isn’t getting any fluffier…
Byron Echo
Interview with Medhanit before her show at Falls Byron, on NYD
Medhanit is no stranger to festival stages, having toured with Australian electronic legends Pnau. Seven caught up with Medhanit so see what she has for Byron.
Byron Echo
Interview with Ash Grunwald
Eve Jeffery - 0
Currently touring his latest release Shout Into the Noise, Ash Grunwald is a Bluesfest veteran with about ten appearances under his belt. His most recent show was earlier this year where he not only appeared solo, but he was part of some awesome collaborations – yet another great thing about Bluesfest.
Byron Echo
What’s news in the Blues for The Cat Empire
Eve Jeffery - 0
Bluesfest 2022 was the stage for the end of an era for The Cat Empire. Two of the original three founding members of the group, Felix Riebl and Ollie McGill will continue their legacy and have created a fresh, new era for the band. With boundless creative possibilities, a collaborative process, and musical curiosity, the new project will showcase a wonderful collective of rotating musicians who will still maintain the musical DNA of The Cat Empire.
Entertainment News
Interview with The Soul Rebels
Eve Jeffery - 0
The Soul Rebels are an absolute standout on their own but they are also the kings of collaboration – from Metallica to Katy Perry...
Byron Echo
Xavier Rudd warming up The Green Room
Eve Jeffery - 0
The secret’s out that the newest live-music venue in town, The Green Room on the Bluesfest site, is set to go and will host...
Byron Echo
The insanely hardworking Nikki Hill
Eve Jeffery - 0
I fell a little bit in love with Nikki Hill the last time I saw her at Bluesfest. Hill is one hard-working rock chick;...
Byron Echo
Marcus King of Bluesfest
Eve Jeffery - 0
Grammy-nominated artist, performer, and songwriter Marcus King was destined to play music. By eight years of age, the fourth-generation Greenville, South Carolina, native had...
Byron Echo
Interview with John Brewster of The Angels
Eve Jeffery - 0
The Angels are coming to Bluesfest
With their 50th anniversary in the not-too-distant future, The Angels have nothing to prove and everything to give as...
Byron Echo
Interview with Jon Stevens
Eve Jeffery - 0
Question: what could be more awesome than Jon Stevens touring the Noiseworks and INXS collection?
Answer: Jon Stevens bringing the Noiseworks and INXS collection to...
Byron Echo
Australian blues legends Chain to play Bluesfest 2023
Eve Jeffery - 0
What do blues folk Muddy Waters, Roy Buchanan, Albert Collins, BB King, Albert King, Freddie King, Sonny Terry, Brownie McGhee, Robert Cray, George Thorogood, Ash Grunwald, Jeff Lang, Juzzie Smith, Geoff Achison and even Buddy Guy, all have in common? They can all say they’ve met Phil Manning.
Byron Echo
Interview with Lisa Cowan, founder and executive producer of Art Byron
Eve Jeffery - 0
Love or fear and the Art of Byron
The inaugural art gathering for Art Byron has been waiting for two years – the 2021 iteration...
Byron Echo
Interview with John Waters: The John Lennon Songbook in Concert
Eve Jeffery - 0
The John Lennon Songbook in Concert is back on tour starring John Waters, Stewart D’Arrietta and the fabulous Liverpool Band, bringing the newest instalment...
Entertainment News
Interview with James McMillan, Byron Bay Surf Festival founder
Eve Jeffery - 0
Inspiring creativity through the waves
The Byron Bay Surf Festival makes its very much anticipated return this weekend with events throughout Byron’s venues and surf...
Byron Echo
Interview with Lauren Bos and Damien Cole from Varuna Surf
Eve Jeffery - 0
Stoked Woodsniffers, Bos & Cole
Partners in business and in life, Lauren Bos and Damien Cole from Varuna Surf are stoked to be part of...
Byron Echo
Interview with director/choreographer Maureen Bowra, of Menopause The Musical
Eve Jeffery - 0
For those who are cranky, hot and sweaty, and those who have to live with them, Menopause The Musical might just be the care package you need to get you through ‘the change’. The show is coming to Byron at the end of the month and Seven caught up with director/choreographer Maureen Bowra to see how her hormones were hangin’.
Byron Echo
Festival back with a BANG
Eve Jeffery - 0
The Southern Cross Soloists will present the Bangalow Music Festival after after a very, very long wait. Seven had a chat with Artistic Director, Tania Frazer, about just how exciting it is to be back.
Byron Echo
Alexandra Hudson wins Aussie RAW
On 22 March Ballina’s Alexandra Hudson became the NSW RAW comedy finalist, and last Sunday she won the Australian RAW Comedy crown – well, she won half of it – she was the joint winner with Bron Lewis from Queensland.
Interviews
Interview with Brad Kora from L.A.B. work
Eve Jeffery - 0
L.A.B was formed in 2017 by drummer and producer, Brad Kora, following his split from much-loved New Zealand dub/electronic stalwarts ‘Kora’. L.A.B also comprises...
Byron Echo
Interview with Linda Bull
Eve Jeffery - 1
Linda Bull has been to Bluesfest so many times she’s lost count. Linda and her sister Vika are pretty much one of Australia’s most iconic singing duos and certainly the most well known sister act.
Byron Echo
Interview with Joe Camilleri of The Black Sorrows
Eve Jeffery - 1
Joe Camilleri is bringing The Black Sorrows goods to Bluesfest 2022 and for all those fans of the constantly evolving Camilleri – Jo Jo Zep, the Sorrows, The Revelators, Bakelite Radio, The Voodoo Sheiks and Here Comes The Night, you will get a bit of everything on Good Friday and Easter Saturday.
Entertainment News
Interview with Dave Faulker from the Hoodoo Gurus
Eve Jeffery - 1
The legendary Hoodoo Gurus will make their Bluesfest debut next Easter. By any measure, they are one of Australia’s greatest, best-loved, most enduring rock bands of all time.
Entertainment News
Interview with Michael and Tanya Trotter from The War and Treaty
Eve Jeffery - 0
The lovebirds of class and style
The War and Treaty were the absolute highlight for me at the last Bluesfest – lovebirds Michael and Tanya...
Entertainment News
Interview with Christone ‘Kingfish’ Ingram
Eve Jeffery - 0
Guaranteed to be one of the most foot stomping shows at the 2022 edition of Bluesfest; Christone ‘Kingfish’ Ingram is an incredible young guitarist...
Byron Echo
Backlash Stan Grant
Extraordinary negative and callous statements regarding Stan Grant in the recent edition’s Backlash section. Grant was a terrible host? Grant made the show unwatchable?...
Local News
Fun community connection for Japanese community
The local Japanese community came together in early May at the Cavanbah center to celebrate Japanese Children’s Day.
Local News
Tragic death of two men in Yamba
NSW Police have today spoken to the media after the body of a man and a teenage boy were located inside a home at Yamba yesterday.
Local News
Expect saltwater on Ballina roads during king tides
Ballina Shire Council is encouraging motorists to drive safely over the coming days with king tides leading to minor flooding of some local roads.
