ARIA-nominated, nationally-acclaimed Cairns band that has redefined and reinvigorated Australian folk music since its inception in 2008 with a funky, multi-hued interpretation of colonial standards.
Celtic tunes, jazz, reggae, rock and world music elements sit side by side in its serpentine music, taking audiences on an exhilarating journey.
Kamerunga melds mandolin, fiddle and guitar wizardry with sizzling saxophone, keyboards and a dynamic rhythm section comprising former Steeleye Span drummer, Nigel Pegrum, and bass ace Will Kepa, They provide the platform over which lead players Peter Ella (mandolin, guitar, fiddle), Dave Martin (fiddle, mandolin, didge) and Andree Baudet (saxophones, keyboard) weave their magic.
The sextet has become a firm favourite on the national festival circuit, putting in lauded performances at the Woodford, Port Fairy, The Dreaming, Byron Bay Bluesfest, The National, Bellingen Global Carnival, Wintermoon, the Australasian World Music Expo, W.A.'s Fairbridge Festival and other major events in the past couple of years. They made their first overseas' excursion when they represented Australia at Borneo's multi-national Rainforest World Music Festival in July 2011.
Debut album The Push was produced by award winning sound engineer Nigel Pegrum and is available in Australia at the band's live gigs and internationally via Planet and iTunes. The CD received a nomination at the 2009 ARIA Awards in the World Music section. Also in the ABC/Limelight magazine 2009 Awards. A new album, part-funded by a RADF grant, will be launched in March 2012.
The Push was accorded album-of-the-day status on ABC Radio National program Daily Planet on November 13th 2008.
WHAT THE MEDIA IS SAYING ABOUT KAMERUNGA & THE PUSH
If you are looking for an album of unusual and very original music that really tries to reach beyond the predictable, rather drab Australian folk tradition, then this is a genuine surprise. It basically demonstrates that folk tunes, in the right hands, can be bent in any direction.
Bruce Elder (Sydney Morning Herald, 10/01/09)
Clever and tasteful concoctions devoid of overkill and kitchen sink tendencies. Ethnic elements breathe peacefully within the cosmopolitan jungle. Recommended.
fRoots magazine, UK
This multi-instrumental, multi-talented Cairns ensemble takes a big stick of funk, jazz and reggae to rouse traditional Celtic and Australian tunes from their safe slumber. Musical dexterity allows the band to shift the material from whisky-soaked shanty swagger to reggae-infused bush ballad to lounge-lizard jazz, sometimes within the same song.
Brian Bolton (Weekend Australian, 22/11/08)
This is the type of project to take Australian sounds to international world music stages Im sure that was pretty much the idea behind it, and it is bound to succeed. You can imagine both the narrative content and musical energy of these songs striking an immediate and lasting chord with such audiences.
Martin Jones, December issue of Rhythms magazine.
After a decade or two waiting in the doldrums, Australian folk music has finally been given the revitalisation and rejuvenation it needed to allow it to return to festival headline status - thanks to a new band from far north Queensland ... Kamerunga takes traditional Aussie songs like South Australia and the Lachlan Tigers as a starting point, adding elements of rock, classical, jazz, reggae and even rap to the mix to make a well-crafted, accessible and respectful synthesis. It is a lively journey.
Andy Copeman, ABC Radio National Daily Planet (13/11/08).
What sets Kamerunga apart is their musicianship.
Seth Jordan, Limelight magazine
I think Kamerunga is one of the best bands currently in Australia, totally different interpretation of Australian bush music; multi instruments in a sort of jazz, reggae rock style.
Bob Eilliston (Brisbane Folk Rag)
Fresh and funky
Jamie McKew, Director Port Fairy Folk Festival.
More info + tracks + video at: http://www.reverbnation.com:80/kamerunga
Kamerunga is currently finishing a new album, Worlds Kaleid, which will be launched in March at the Tanks Arts Centre. The band's itinerary for 2012 also includes spots at the Port Fairy Folk Festival and the National Folk Festival in Canberra.
Farewell & Adieu
Congress Reel
Mulligan
South Australia Suite
Stringybark Creek
Moreton Bay
Fanfare For A Common Mandolin
Lachlan Tigers
Afreels
Ryebuck Shearers
Lime Juice
Fanny Bay
Lazy Harry
Queensland Whalers
Seisia
Influences
La Bottine Souriante, The Bushwackers, Shooglenifty, Bellowhead, Afro Celt Sound System, Lunasa, Average White Band and many, many more.
Gig Highlights
CD Launch at the Tanks Arts Centre, October, 2008
Yungaburra Folk Festival, October, 2008
Woodford Folk Festival, December 2008
Port Fairy Folk Festival, March 2009
The Dreaming, June 2009
Festival Cairns, August & September 2009
Wallaby Creek Festival, September 2009
Bellingen Global Carnival, October 2009
Maldon Folk Festival, October 2009
Australasian World Music Expo, November 2009
Cygnet Folk Festival, January 2010
East Coast Bluesfest, Byron Bay March 2010
National Folk Festival, Canberra March 2010
Wintermoon festival, Mackay May 2010
Fairbridge Festival, W.A. March 2011
Rainforest World Music Festival, Sarawak, Borneo July 2011
Tablelands Folk Festival 2011
