Masala

Masala deliver an exotic mix of Eastern and Western sounds and styles.  Roman Astra's Sitar, with its characteristic drones and micro-tones, blends seamlessly with Nigel Hope's laid back bass lines and Rodrigo Diaz's sparse percussion. Sometimes ambient and trance-like, other times funky and driving, the music of Masala blends a tapestry of ethnic sounds with ideas drawn from Jazz and Rock.   

Matthew Woolley and Jackie Gregory  

Festival veteran, singer and multi-instrumentalist, Matt Woolley joins his good friend, folk singer, Jackie Gregory for her debut performance at this year's  Cygnet.

Michael Manhire
 
Michael Manhire is a Cornishman who grew up in London before wandering southwards to Papua New Guinea and Darwin before ending up in the Apple Isle. Along the way he started collecting folk tunes and songs. Mike is a box player, singer, storyteller and reciter who loves to entertain.  His performances feature tunes, songs, stories and poems celebrating his Cornish and English Heritage and adopted Australian Heritage.     

Michael Ransom and Rosie Allan

Tasmanian duo Michael Ransom and Rosie Allan play original songs by singer guitarist Michael. Rosie brings some lovely tasteful violin accompaniment that adds another layer to Michael's mellow and understated songs.

Mortor 

Local singer-songwriter Kellie Watson was the winner of the 2008 folk federation Tasmania songwriting competition.  Kellie's music can take you to a far off place or back to home and hearth. Performing with her daughter, Izabella, a very beautiful thing happens. This lies behind their name. Mortor's music comes from the stuff that binds mother and daughter.  

Musical Instrument - Makers display  

Organised by musician luthier Chris VonderBorch this is a display of hand-crafted musical instruments   The Folk Museum at Cygnet provides a pleasant venue for a display of amazingly diverse and wonderfully hand-crafted musical instruments.  The talented people who make these instruments will also be present on the Festival Sunday, to discuss and demonstrate their creations.

Ned Trewartha 

Ned Trewartha is well known for his renditions of Australian folk songs. He is also a devoted fan of of some of the best American singer song writers. At Cygnet Festival 2010 he will collaborate with Louise Bell and others to present a workshop concert on the wonderfully crafted songs of John Prine.  John Prine's songs have been an inspiration to many in the broader folk scene. This tribute concert recognises his importance.

New Holland Honey Eaters       

An Old-Time string band, focusing on traditional southern Americana music, The New Holland Honey Eaters have long been a great asset to the Cygnet Folk Festival. They set the standard with their story-telling, multimedia musical shows. For this festival they once again present,'On The Air', their acclaimed tribute to early country radio in the southern US. featuring tunes, songs, slides and readings.

Nigel Hope  
  
Nigel Hope is Tassie's own avant-guarde bass virtuoso. He is known for solo shows and collaborations which blend, Jazz, Indian, flamenco and folk styles into rich soundscapes.. In the 'Love Songs To Tasmania Concert' Nigel will play a variety of Basses and improvising melodic and rhythmic music that responds to visual images of the Tasmanian landscape. He is joined by dancer Melinda Mills-Hope. 

The Nigel Hope Trio     

A trio playing folk,jazz and new works, The Nigel Hope Trio are three local musicians who take contemporary hits and folk and jazz standards then explore them and improvise upon them in new and exciting ways. The newly formed trio are Adrian Bryan on Guitar, Sean Brady on drums and Nigel Hope on double and electric basses.    

One Step Back  

Much loved Tasmanian band One Step Back consist of Graeme Kirkwood, mandolin, guitar and harmony vocals, Michael Cole, lead vocals, guitar and banjo, Duncan Kirkwood, acoustic bass, and Richard Arnold, harmonica and occasional harmony vocals. One Step Back executes, with precision, an eclectic mix of material including originals and bluegrass, hillbilly and country standards.

P.Chi  

Singer Songwriter P.Chi describes her music as political Folk Punk.  Her songs are raw and passionate, infused with her love for the earth, and her despair over the destruction of its wild places. She has performed at various festivals and events across Australia.

Paul Gerard    

Hobart based flamenco guitarist Paul Gerard has returned from two years living in Europe newly inspired and playing better than ever.  A Paul Gerard concert is a musical journey. Dedicated to spontaneous improvisation on traditional Flamenco forms Paul lets the emotion of the music,the audience, the atmosphere of the evening guide his performance.  Paul will present a workshop that is not solely guitar based but also covers the philosophy of Flamenco and Flamenco as a way of life.

Peter Hicks - The Story of Matthew Brady in Song         

Peter Hicks presents a one hour song cycle based on the life and times of the convict bushranger Matthew Brady.  Tales of 'daring do' don't come much more adventurous than the story of this almost mythical character. Escape from supposedly inescapable prisons, a wild sea journey, homesteads invaded and uproarious feasts presented for the locals at the expense of the rich landowners, a takeover of a prison and a town and the eventual fateful capture by the eventual original pioneer of the city of Melbourne John Batman.  All of these and more are celebrated in this song cycle.  It's a great opportunity to learn more about Tassie's incredible heritage through song and story. The presentation will feature choral performances by the Tasmanian Grassroots Union Choir and backing band "The Ranters" and guest singers such as Lindsey Meldrum from The Fooks.        

Philip R Rush

A widely published and award winning Bush Poet the Huon Valley's Phil Rush coordinates  both the Poets Breakfast and the Great Poetry Debate. A wit and a master word-smith.  

The Ranters  
  
The Ranters perform your basic 'kick-ass' folk-rock in the style of The Pogues, the Levellers, The Oyster Band and Flogging Molly.  Their songs include versions of James Keelaghan and Dick Gaughan favourites, some originals as well as dance tune sets guaranteed to get those knees a knocking and the heels a high-kicking. The combination blend of accordion and fiddle can be mesmerizing. Playing in their own right the Ranters are also participating in Mathew Brady  Song-Cycle Concert.

Raphael Sauvage      

Raphael Sauvage is a singer songwriter who describes himself simply as a folk singer, singing songs of love, freedom and devotion. His performance invite the audience to share the emotional content of his songs.

Rhythm Collision 

Formed by the multi-talented Bradfield Dumpleton, Cygnet based youth percussion group Rhythm Collision present their stunning and vibrant drumming act. See them out door at Loongana Park. 

Samuel Bester 

From Tasmania's famous musical Bester family Samuel,(Sambo)Bester is a troubadour and singer-songwriter with rootsy influences. His lyrics speak of the human condition, political, personal and other stories from life. Though often daring to delve into deep places his music always retains an underlying positive message.

Shel 
 
Singer Songwriter local Shel is a performer  who  reflects life and the myriad of issues humans face such as love, war, injustice, mental illness, concern for the future of the planet, sex and the dating game through her songs, stories and poems.

Silkweed 

Silkweed weave haunting instrumentals, soaring vocals and evocative lyrics to create a sound described at one festival as "silken magic". Vocals, keyboard, cello, violin and flute mingle with visuals, theatre and narrative to present;  "Jane Franklin - An examined life" explores the life and times of Jane Franklin; diarist, explorer and wife of John Franklin, arctic explorer and one-time governor of Van Diemans Land. Silkweed's historically themed shows receive rave reviews where every they play.

Slugger O'Toole

This is the name for a composite band made up of members of some of Hobart's top Irish and Celtic bands. At its core are the Borstall Boys, Daido and The Blue Mosquitoes and The Foley Artists.

Southern Flavour     
  
Bluegrass duo, Southern Flavour, comprise of father and son duo Graeme Kirkwood, on mandolin, vocals and stompbox, and Duncan Kirkwood, on guitar. Named after an obscure Bill Monroe tune, Southern Flavour specialise in lesser known bluegrass instrumentals from the bluer end of the Appalachian spectrum.

Tasmanian Grassroots Union Choir
  
 The Tasmanian Grassroots Union is a community choir made up of people of all ages from different backgrounds that come together through a love of singing. Its repertoire is made  up of songs in a variety of styles that tell the story of working people and their struggle throughout history. In its eighth year the Choir has participated in many local, national and international events and Festivals across Australia and New Zealand. They will perform in their own concerts and as part of the Mathew Brady Song-Cycle Concert.

Tasmanian Heritage Fiddle Ensemble

  This critically acclaimed group is a large, fiddle-based community orchestra. With up to 20 fiddles, and several mandolins, guitars, accordions and cellos the group can number as many as 25-30 players for some performances. The Tasmanian Heritage Fiddle Ensemble are dedicated to reviving traditional Tasmanian country Dance music and for performing original contemporary Tasmanian folk music. They remind locals of their own heritage and teach Tasmanian musicians to contribute creatively to expanding these traditions.  

Those Bloody Taylors 

Comedic folk trio The Bloody Taylors are a trio of siblings who have been playing music together since childhood. Each are seriously gifted players in their own right but now and then they get together just to have fun and make some musical mayhem!

The To'rags  

The TóRags are a modern band with energy to burn but they are influenced by real Celtic roots. The band features strong vocals and four part harmonies and their songs are mixed with lively tune sets of traditional Irish and Scottish jigs and reels. A band with a growing following.

Twice Bitten   

A hard working, hard travelling duo "Twice Bitten" have collected songs that will appeal to the country artist in all of us. Featuring seasoned performers Annie Parsell and Mat Woolley picking and singing up a sweet country storm.

The VerandahCoots   

This trio from Tasmania love to sit on their verandah and play the old tunes just as their grandparents did. You can bring along your instrument and join them in a session for some lively tunes from Tassie's past or put on your dancing shoes for some of the quirky and wonderful dances from the apple sheds and country halls of the past.    The Verandah that The VerandahCoots love to sit on will be assembled again near the Butcher's Shop. They shall invite friends to come and play there.

Vino 

Vino are George Begbie and David McEldowney. This Tasmanian duo have a background in classical, jazz and folk music. They feature stylish arrangements for piano, guitar and voice.