Artists

DECLAN KELLY
Declan Kelly helms the Diesel n’Dub band on drums and backing vocals. He also sings the lead vocals on his haunting version of Truganini. Diesel n’Dub is the latest addition to a growing body of work by Kelly, a respected and hard-working artist. Firmly established and highly regarded as a musician and producer, Kelly plays regularly across Australia and abroad, at the world’s biggest roots and world music festivals as a solo artist, with his trio The Rising Sun, or as a special guest. Across the industry he is sought after for his drumkit skills resulting in tours and recordings with international artists the likes of Passenger (UK), Spearhead (US), Stranger Cole (Jamaica), and Eugene Hideaway Bridges (Texas, US). Locally he has collaborated with artists Alex Lloyd, Katie Noonan, Karise Eden, OKA and KingTide and most recently had two tracks from his stunning album “Adrift” featured in the BBC series “Top of the Lake” directed by Jane Campion.
declankelly.com.au

MAD PROFESSOR
Equally renowned for producing deep roots reggae, trance inducing dub and bittersweet lover’s rock, the Mad Professor’s Ariwa Sounds stable is a veritable institution of British reggae. Throughout a legendary career that has spanned over a quarter of a century, Mad Professor (Neil Frazer) has recorded dozens of hit singles and albums; as well as contributing his dub genius to the works of stellar artists the world over. Not only has he produced hits with luminaries the likes of Sly & Robbie, Lee “Scratch” Perry, U Roy, Horace Andy, Yabby You and Scientist he has also lent a dubwise hand to a multitude of international musicians; from mixing material for the Beastie Boys in the 80s; to altering the manic creations of radical duo KLF and spaced-out ambient house pioneer, The Orb. He has created sensual dub for Sade and a historical dubwise deconstruction of Massive Attack’s album Protection. Further collaboration was achieved with pop kings Jamiroquai; edgy Swiss techno-rockers The Young Gods; Boston neo-ska group Bim Skala Bim, as well as New Zealand’s Salmonella Dub. Now Mad Professor has lent his inimitable stylings to some of the most iconic Aussie hits ever, taking the songs of Diesel n’Dub to a whole new level. Those who have had the pleasure of spending time in Professor’s company know that he is a man of high intelligence and easy wit, committed to progressive social change as well as evolutionary music; he is also a gentleman in every sense of the word. (Parts of this bio courtesy of Ariwa website and David Katz)
ariwa.com

(L to R: Rob Woolf / Winston Stephenson / Ross Fotheringham. Photos thanks to Shane Rozario)

WINSTON STEPHENSON (Bass)

ROB WOOLF (Keys)

PETER FIRTH (Bass)

ROSS FOTHERINGHAM (Guitar)

MATT KEEGAN (Sax)

NICK GARBETT (Trumpet)

SPECIAL GUEST VOCALISTS

Emma Donovan
Emma Donovan has established herself as one of Australia’s finest Indigenous singer/songwriters. With the inclusion of her traditional language Gumbayngirr in her songs, Emma is committed to educating the global community to understand more about Aboriginal culture and spirituality. Originally from Northern NSW; Emma has performed across the globe treating audiences to her rich soulful voice as a solo artist, and as part of the award winning Black Arm Band. Seamlessly blending genres from roots, reggae and gospel to smooth soul; Emma continues to have a major impact both on the Australian main stream stage and in the international arena! (Photo thanks to John Domeney)
emmadonovan.com