Castlemaine Fringe & The Coolroom presents
A Night of Blues, Roots, Folk & Goodtime Rock’n’roll with

THE DAMON SMITH TRIO
Supported by The Vintage Vixens & Ross

Friday 7 February 7.30

Tickets $25, Coolmates and Fringe Members $20
Part of the Summer Series of Fringe '25 Fundraisers

Award-winning musician and storyteller Damon Smith brings his unique blend of New Orleans, Jazz & Blues, Folk, and Rock & Roll to Castlemaine. Since 2020, Damon has released seven albums, topped the Australian Blues and Roots charts, made an award-winning film, and performed hundreds of shows across Australia.

After a huge year in 2024, Damon will bring his raw, and deeply human performance to The Coolroom for one unforgettable night! Supporting Damon on this night will be Castlemaine’s own Vintage Vixens, a retro ukulele duo that combines the solo talents of Cath Scott & Kim Burns. Yes… they are the original Cath and Kim, and though not strictly a comedy act… a little frivolity can be expected. The Vintage Vixens are fast becoming known for their cleverly crafted 'vintage' style arrangements of popular songs and harmonies that are so lush they leave you wanting more!

ABOUT DAMON SMITH
Damon Smith is a multi-award-winning musician and performer who has made a significant impact over the past few years. With several TV and festival appearances under his belt, a collection of accolades for his diverse projects, and an impressive seven album releases in just five years, Damon’s career has been a whirlwind of success. He’s a high-energy, dynamic performer whose piano playing—particularly in the iconic New Orleans style—always brings the house down. His most recent album, A Fresh Harvest From Old Seeds, surpassed expectations, even outshining international acts like the Tesky Brothers, and earned him a coveted Music Victoria Award. This recognition solidified Damon’s place in the Victorian music scene. His previous album, Skeletons Skeletons Skeletons, debuted at #2 on the Australian Blues and Roots charts and garnered a nomination for the Music Victoria Award, and won the MBAS Chris Wilson Award. His music has been featured on SBS and ABC, and his captivating performances have graced theatres, clubs, and festivals across Australia and internationally and he has performed at notable events such as the Port Fairy Folk Festival, Nannup Festival, ST Kilda Festival, had several Regional Arts Victoria tours, and played Melbourne/Adelaide/QLD/Hobart Cabaret Festivals, among many others. His ability to engage and energize a crowd has made him a sought-after performer at some of Australia’s top venues and festivals.

> But what truly sets Damon apart is his ability to connect with audiences on a deeply personal level. His shows blend humor, heart, and a real passion for raising awareness around mental health, a topic that resonates powerfully in today’s world. Damon’s Mental As Everything film—a candid exploration of mental health—has been celebrated globally and even aired on SBS and ABC TV, further cementing his role as a voice for positive change.

> His incredible storytelling, vulnerability, and advocacy for mental health ensure that every performance is both memorable and impactful. Whether playing with his trio or his larger 5-piece rock band, Damon’s energy is infectious and his audience connection unparalleled.

ABOUT THE VINTAGE VIXENS

The Vintage Vixens are a retro ukulele duo from Central Victoria that combines the solo talents of Cath Scott & Kim Burns. Yes… they are the original Cath and Kim, and though not strictly a comedy act… a little frivolity can be expected. The Vintage Vixens are fast becoming known in their local music scene for their cleverly crafted 'vintage' style arrangements of popular songs and harmonies that are so lush they leave you wanting more!

> Often accompanied by fellow musician Ross Richards on mandolin, the Vintage Vixens & Ross (VVR for short) are not afraid to dip their toes into any musical genre. From Nirvana to Paul Kelly, Kasey Chambers to Norah Jones, the Andrew’s Sisters to Gillian Welch, a dash of traditional & contemporary folk and even some original music... these vixens do it all... their way... the Vintage Vixen way!

> As a performing group, the Vixens are regularly spotted hitting the stage at their local Open Mic nights in Castlemaine and more recently spreading some Christmas Cheer in the Bendigo Hargreaves Mall and performing on the big stage at the Girgarre Moosic Muster.

For a sneak peek at their work, check out the Vintage Vixens Facebook pages...

FB: https://www.facebook.com/VintageVixMusic/