I grew up in the small Victorian surf coast town of Breamlea and picked up a guitar at an early age when I fell in love with music. Early punk rock influences came from the Fat Wreck Chords school of NOFX, Bracket, Mad Caddies, Propagandhi and the like, as well as the vastly different folk sounds of Paul Kelly, The Waifs, David Hosking, Loren and The John Butler Trio. After playing a few small punk rock gigs at and around school, I began to feel the pull of the acoustic world and started writing politically charged folk songs. I even wrote and performed a song as part of my Year 12 English assessment on the stolen generations.
Education has been a long running competitor for time with me, but after 5 years of various studies including Physics and Electronic Engineering in Melbourne, I've finally completed my thesis and got my degree in Renewable Energy Engineering in Perth. Although the split between the East and West coasts of Australia has made for some interesting inspiration, it's wreaked havoc with taking music to the next level, but at least now Ive satisfied the rational part of my brain sufficiently to allow my intuitive mind to fully concentrate on music.
Recently, I've played gigs at Mojos, The Norfolk Basement and The Swan Acoustic Lounge in Fremantle. On the other side of the continent, I've played around Torquay at venues including the Torquay Hotel, The Rose, Ripe lounge and the annual High Tide Festival as well as a support slot for James Reyne at the Wool Exchange in Geelong.
I try to maintain honesty in my lyrics, drawing inspiration from social, political and environmental issues around the world, blended with my own personal experiences to create a unique, powerful sound varying from upbeat reggae/dub to the raw, emotional sounds of folk/rock.
If you would like a copy of my demo, I'd be happy to send you one!
There are heaps more MP3s! CLICK HERE to download and enjoy them, it'll only cost a smile! If you're interested in reading my lyrics, they're available HERE. and click
>HERE for loads more pictures! Click here for a video of Stilettos In a Life Raft live at Mojos (thanks to Hedda.) Finally, check out Hedda's Vlogs featuring my music, search for "Hedda's Vlogs"
>HERE.