This Melbourne, Australian based ‘Brew’ is raring to provide audiences with music that will leave people talking.  Headed by 3 women, they play originals and Celtic tunes with a ‘rock’ twist, but also a mixed bag of crowd pleasing covers when required (Including Cranberries, Indigo Girls, Paul Kelly and a whole lot more). The mix of people combined with a variety of musical styles will have audiences absorbed into the depth of the lyrics and harmonies, asking for more. They are all multi-instrumentalist, playing a range of instruments.  Their vocal harmonies will create and leave you with a warmth, while their tunes will get you jumping in your seat.  An experience only to be seen and more importantly heard.  Past performances include : Port Fairy Folk Festival, Victor Harbour Folk Festival, Maldon Folk Festival, Queenscliff Music Festival and playing regularly in Melbourne pubs.

So what is it ? Mandy likes to refer to the music as a ‘fresh new sound’ of Contemporary Acoustic Rock with a twist of Celtic.

from Left to Right : 

Jonathon Jones - Drums, Percussion  (no longer with band)
Helen McLachlan - Vocals, Mandolin, Guitar, Sax
Mandy Keating - Vocals, Guitars, Percussion
Rick Griffiths - Bass, Guitar, Mandola, Vocals
Caitlin French - Fiddle, Vocals
                            
         
                            

_________________________________________________

Over the last year Mandy has been song writing, while also developing the band.  She has performed in numerous festivals including Port Fairy and two in Tasmania.  Her debut CD (containing original material performed by the band) has been played on radio and has received favourable reviews by media and audiences alike.  Mandy is the heart and driving force of this new band, together with her strong voice and rhythmic guitar playing, her messages are expressed in a special way.  She was also runner up in last years song writing contest at the Victor Harbour Folk Festival.

(Previous bands - ‘Paddiwack’ and ‘Dandara’)

Caitlin French - Fiddle, Vocals

Caitlin’s been playing the piano since an early age, originally classically trained, then branching into Celtic music and applying her training to learn the fiddle. This is evident by the unique style she’s created in combining improvisation and traditional playing.  Caitlin has been involved in various stage productions both locally and in Ballarat. She won the fiddle contests at both the National Celtic Folk Festival and Maldon Folk Festival. Her tunes are always bound to get the crowd jumping.

(Previous Band - 'Kelly Gang', 'Folk Friction')

The 'alleged' quiet achiever of the band, always has a surprise up her sleeve. Switching from lead guitar to mandolin, Helen provides a subtle feel to add an element of warmth to the band. She has been described as having a melodic voice which provides the band with captivating harmonies. Also originally from Geelong, she is a talent in her own right where she too writes her own songs taking centre stage to entrance the audience.

(Previous bands - ‘Paddiwack’ , Current Band - ‘Dandara’)

Having played for over 20 years in a number of bands Rick brings a huge amount of experience to this line up. He has previously played Jazz, Rock, Celtic, Folk Rock, adapting to any number of styles with a whole range of instruments. Rick has written a lot of original material and more recently is writing music to Henry Lawson’s poems.

(Previous bands - ‘Goanna’, ‘Huon Cry’, ‘Paddiwack’ and many more)

With a background in Pipe Bands, Jazz, Folk and Blues, Jonathon brings color and drive to this dynamic band. Jonathon plays Drum Kit, Conga, Bodhran, and various Percussion Instruments. He has performed, teached and conducted Percussion workshops throughout Australia and Overseas and more recently completed a successful performance tour of the USA as a member of the Eric Bogle Band.

(Previous Bands – Various ….. Current Bands - ‘Eric Bogle’, ‘Straight Ahead’).

Helen Dimitropoulos - Mixing Desk

Last but not least ... better known as 'Dimi',   making us sound good.  New to the sound engineering business, she brings some culture into the band with her Greek background and good ear for music.   She keeps insisting we learn a Greek song.

Recently described as our ROCK !