Melbourne is about to get a brand new regular night of quality music celebrating the guitar. Australian Musician, in conjunction with the Australian Production team behind the acclaimed music documentary Acoustic Uprising, supported by the Australian Music Association and NAMM are proud to announce the Melbourne International Guitar Night.
The night will launch at the Melbourne Guitar Show weekend but will actually take place on Wednesday August 15 at the Toff in Town, Swanston St Melbourne. The opening night will feature Janine Marshall, Van Larkins, Malcura, and Thomas Leeb. The Melbourne International Guitar Night will then occur on a regular monthly basis thereafter. Those attending the Melbourne Guitar Show on August 4 &5 at Caulfield Racecourse will get a taste of what the Melbourne International Guitar Night will be like, when Thomas Leeb and Van Larkins will be performing on the main acoustic stage, as well as making appearances at the guitar show booth. You can also purchase tickets to the Melbourne International Guitar Night from the booth at the Melbourne Guitar Show.
The guy who has been assigned to put the Melbourne International Guitar Night together is Drew Roller, who is no stranger to the local and international guitar community. Those who attended the Melbourne Guitar Show last year may have seen Drew’s wonderful movie, Acoustic Uprising, which is essentially a love song to the acoustic guitar. Roller is also a guitar player himself. “I started out like most guitarists wanting to be a rock god, grow the hair and do the poses. Over the years my playing has evolved and I’m now predominantly acoustic. I’ve been obsessed with modern fingerstyle for last 3 or 4 years. I remember when I first saw a performance by Jon Gomm, a leading player in the scene. I wanted to throw my guitar in the bin. It was like I had no idea what an acoustic guitar was capable of until then. The next day I practised harder than ever before. The Melbourne International Guitar Night will feature some of those amazing talents as well as players from a range of diverse styles.”
Drew’s movie Acoustic Uprising has found much success both here and overseas. It’s a film exploring the innovative world of acoustic fingerstyle guitar, featuring interviews with many leading players including Andy McKee, Kaki King, Newton Faulkner and Tommy Emmanuel. Acoustic Uprising looks at the rich history of fingerstyle and the fusion of musical ideas the style has become known for. “We released online independently in December and it has gone on to sell in 37 countries,” Drew says of the film’s recent developments. “We are currently sitting on 9.6 (rating) on imdb.com. The film has screened around the world and is available on DVD, Blu-ray and download now. We will be releasing an education version of the film in August with an accompanying study guide.”
For Roller, the Melbourne International Guitar Night is an extension of what he’d already been doing and he’s put together a night of virtuosity that is as exciting to watch as it is to listen to. An absolute firecracker of a lineup to kick off the series.
“We have four acts in a range of styles, starting with Melbourne based blues/rock singer-songwriter and all round guitar bad arse Janine Marshall. We have a modern finger style player from Brisbane, Van Larkins, who has played with the likes of Phil Emmanuel and toured internationally. There’s Flamenco metal trio Malcura, who are a Melbourne based act, and also international virtuoso Thomas Leeb, a modern fingerstyle player with a world music, percussive approach.”
Drew’s grand plan is for the Melbourne International Guitar Night to become a leading destination for guitar music of all kinds in Australia and a place for international acts to come and perform. It will also be a great forum to foster and develop new guitar talent. As well as the main Melbourne International Guitar Night at the Toff, the MIGN showcase is also touring regional Victoria with events in Warrnambool and Belgrave preceding the official launch at the Toff in Melbourne August 15th”
You can stay up to date with all things Melbourne International Guitar Night by joining the official Melbourne International Guitar Night Facebook Group and also keep an eye on developments at www.australianmusician.com.au and its social media pages.
Buy tickets for the Melbourne International Guitar Night at this link:
https://www.moshtix.com.au/v2/event/melbourne-guitar-night-showcase/105153
More about the first Melbourne International Guitar Night artists:
THOMAS LEEB
Headlining is Austrian acoustic virtuoso Thomas Leeb who brings his powerhouse brand of modern fingerstyle guitar to Australian shores for the first time ever. With over 4 million views on Youtube, Leeb is known for his groove driven percussive compositions and as one of the forefathers of modern acoustic techniques. Thomas is supported by a range of modern acoustic and flamenco metal from across Australia.
Austrian acoustic virtuoso Thomas Leeb brings his powerhouse brand of modern fingerstyle guitar to Australian shores for the first time ever. With over 4 million views on Youtube, Leeb is a true pioneer of the acoustic guitar with decades at the forefront of modern percussive fingerstyle. “What Thomas does on an acoustic shouldn’t be legal” – Guthrie Govan
MALCURA
Malcura are an exhilarating acoustic trio from Melbourne with a distinctive sound that fuses Flamenco instrumentation with Latin rhythms and a Rock’n’roll mentality. Weaving intricate arrangements with virtuoso musicianship, their performances are alive with spirit and gusto. Voted “Best Global/Reggae Album” in the 2016 Age Music Victoria Awards.
VAN LARKINS
Australia’s number 1 modern acoustic guitarist… Van Larkins exudes a rare balance of expression and technique. A meticulous craftsman, his music is an inspiring mix of rich textures and soundscapes. A true master of the instrument. “Sheds new light to the term ear candy” – Phil Emmanuel
JANINE MARSHALL
Guitarist and singer, Janine Marshall, plays groove driven old school guitar interpretations and complex originals. Her music is a combination of soulful, rich-toned vocals mixed with virtuosic guitar technique.