GAVIN BOWLES & THE DISTRACTIONS are playing a BLUE MOUNTAINS hometown show to celebrate the limited vinyl release of debut album “This Year’s Modern”. CJ STRANGER & BAND and BLUE SHERLOCK, fellow Blue Mountaineers, will be also be sharing the stage at The BAROQUE ROOM on Saturday, March 27th. Strictly limited ticketed available - book now!

GAVIN BOWLES & THE DISTRACTIONS w/ special guests CJ STRANGER & BAND and BLUE SHERLOCK // Saturday, March 27 // The Baroque Room @ The Carrington Hotel, Katoomba (accessible via Hotel Driveway) // Doors 7:30pm // 18+ Only // Tickets: $25 + bf //

"This album is a winner. An upbeat and happy chronicle of 2020 that has complete jive-ability to it. Fun, frenetic, funky and flagrantly ignoring the challenges we all faced this year by producing a positive soundtrack for moving into the party season, as if it never happened." - The Music Producer

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// THE ARTISTS //

/ GAVIN BOWLES & THE DISTRACTIONS

Blue Mountains based troubadour Gavin Bowles has made a name for himself over the past decade as an accomplished songwriter and performer - including several national tours, considerable community radio play across the country, a number of residencies and as a singer/guitarist for various artists and projects.

In the last couple of years, Bowles has established an exciting solo career. 2018 saw the release of his debut solo EP "King of Nothing"(described by Haze Mag as "...seamlessly walking into strut-worthy blues guitars.....his lyrics convey the sophistication of a modern-day hybrid of Paul Kelly and Elvis Costello”). Following in 2019 was the release of single "Slave", with it’s blend of rockabilly swagger and indie-rock/pop sensibilities. 2020 began with the release of follow up single “The Daily Grind” (with accompanying “messy” film clip); an anecdote for the young, modern ne'er-do-well, bursting with frenetic energy and exhibiting the talents of backing band 'The Distractions'. Mid 2020 saw the release of the Isolation-appropriate single “Apartmentality”; painting a picture of the boredom and frustrations of being stuck in a small space - set to a slinky guitar riff and chilled groove.

Over the past 3 years Gavin has lived in the heart of North Melbourne, Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains – soaking in the atmospheres, sights, smells and sounds of differing urban and suburban living and music scenes. With over a decade of touring and recording under his belt in various groups and solo, Gavin (and backing band “The Distractions”) exhibits a refined live show, toting songs of personal triumphs and tribulations and an idiosyncratic view on modern life, always with a guitar lick and smirk in tow.

/ CJ STRANGER & BAND

CJ Stranger hones a unique sound and spirit for his new album, 'Hey Stranger'. Describing first single 'Strange One' as a “stream-of-consciousness ramble of a day living in the inner-west,” CJ carves out contemporary Australian music filled with occurrences like electric shocks, technology failing, having a tunnel dug under your house, and trying' to pay rent. “After a strong coffee,” he notes,“ things feel better.”

Following on from the galloping country of the triple j spun Outlaw and highly satisfying 'Fool's Gold', new single and album opener 'White Lines' is yet another brilliant example of how CJ perfectly matches gently simmering music with the raw honesty of reflective lyrics. Channelling an amalgamation of Paul Kelly, Kurt Vile and The Church, White Lines is about new beginnings and unexpected challenges in life, lyrically set against the backdrop of the Australian landscape.

Slinging a small-but-powerful arsenal of instruments, CJ Stranger crafts his distinctive sound using an old weathered resonator, a weird vintage organ, and his beloved purple guitar Frankenstein-ed out of discarded bits and pieces. This array of repurposed musical antiques allows CJ Stranger to sculpt a vivid and honest landscape for his musings.

These days based in the Blue Mountains while regularly Sydney-side, Cameron Henderson’s 2016 debut album established his prowess as a singer, songwriter and guitar player, but it was a different kind of animal. CJ Stranger is an exaggerated and more nuanced side of Henderson, brought forth by exploring this new artistic persona. A singer-songwriter through and through, CJ Stranger's captivating voice, tell-all lyrics and natural feel for finger-picking walk together in perfect synchrony. Creative and honest, Hey Stranger is a rewarding listen that feels comfortingly familiar, yet new and exciting.

/ BLUE SHERLOCK

Blue Sherlock was born on Jeremy’s thighs, in a piece of trash Toyota Camry somewhere between Orange and the Mountains. A banger was blaring on the radio, his hands were going a million miles an hour on his trousers while Willem yelled a bit and played air guitar. “Hey man, we should jam sometime.” Since then, Willem Sherlock Roorda and Jeremy have been concocting the dirty, delicious, bluesy funk that is Blue Sherlock. Living proof that the Blues is alive, well, and ready to kick your teeth in.

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// Proudly supported by 'Music in the Mountains' //
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