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The Eastern (NZ)
The Eastern are a string band that roars like a punk band, that swings like a gospel band, that drinks like a country band, that works like a bar band, that hopes like folk singers. They sing love songs like union songs, write union songs like love songs, and want to slow dance and stand on tables, all at the same time.
Often described as New Zealand’s hardest working band, they have spent the last few years playing over 200 nights a year up and down NZ and beyond. They have toured with, and opened for, Fleetwood Mac, Steve Earle, Old Crow Medicine Show, The Jayhawks and Jimmy Barnes, but they’re just as happy on a street corner or in a backyard singin’ and kickin’ up their heels.
The Eastern will return to Australia for a national tour in March/April/May 2012.
www.youtube.com/theeasternfamily
Liz Stringer
Melbourne based songwriter Liz Stringer garnered widespread critical acclaim for her last three albums, with her fourth (produced by ARIA Award winning producer, engineer and musician Craig Pilkington) due for release in 2012. Her powerful and emotive live performances and melodically rich, story-based songs have earned her a place among Australia’s most respected songwriters and performers.
Liz has toured nationally with the likes of Eric Bibb, Mia Dyson, Ember Swift and Ash Grunwald and has delighted audiences and festival goers around the country.
Abbie Cardwell & Her Leading Men
She has toured Germany in support of Dire Straits co-founder David Knopfler, opened for Steve Earle, Alex Lloyd, Shane Nicholson, The Snow Droppers, Tony Joe White, and taken her inimitable style to festivals including Womadelaide, East Coast Blues & Roots, Port Fairy Folk Festival and Woodford Folk Festival.
Abbie Cardwell & Her Leading Men deliver their addictive, rootsy-rockabilly-twang with a punch. Their latest release, a powerful live studio recording, ‘Bare Bones Sessions’ , was self produced and mixed by long-time comrade Nick DiDia (Powderfinger, Bruce Springsteen).
Sal Kimber & The Rollin' Wheel
Described by Rolling Stone magazine as "Australiana-soaked alt-country at its finest", Sal Kimber and The Rollin’ Wheel have emerged as frontrunners in the new wave of Australian alt-country and roots music.
Since her debut release ‘Sounds Like Thunder’ in 2008, Sal and her band have performed at some of the country's finest festivals such as Port Fairy Folk, Whittlesea Country Music Festival, National Folk Festival and supported the likes of Kasey Chambers and Felicity Urquhart. Sal's music has been recognised with numerous awards, including 2010 Victorian Female Vocalist of the Year at the Victorian & National Country Music Awards.
Their first full-band album, 'Sal Kimber & The Rollin' Wheel' met with critical acclaim, and saw the band embark on a national tour in late 2011 and early 2012.
The Yearlings
“Utterly charming and horribly irresistible. ****” 
Tom Jellett, Weekend Australian;)
Robyn Chalklen and Chris Parkinson, aka The Yearlings, first crossed paths at Tamworth Country Music Festival in 2000, and they’ve been writing and performing together ever since.
Reminiscent of alt-country Americana, but hailing from Adelaide, South Australia, The Yearlings’ sound is all their own, deftly straddling old and new, bitter and sweet, darkness and transcendence.
Quietly chipping away at their sound for the past ten years, they have produced four studio albums and one live record, and have appeared at high-profile festivals around Australia and internationally, including Port Fairy Folk Festival, Queenscliff Music Festival, Tamworth, and New York Guitar Festival.
The Stetson Family
Melbourne knockabouts The Stetson Family dig deep into the bluegrass roots of folk and country music to create a fresh twist on a timeless sound; it’s a little bit mountain, a little bit high-lonesome, and a whole lotta rhythm. Their debut EP, “Hey Sister Mary, Where’d You Get That Gun” made a big splash on the scene and was awarded Australian Independent Roots Album of the Year on BayFM’s ‘Mystery Train’. The Stetsons are quickly becoming regulars on the festival circuit, with 2010 highlights including Yackandandah Folk Festival, Kelly Country Pick, Folk in the Foothills, Harrietville Bluegrass Convention and Coast Acoustics Fest. The group’s first full-length album, 'The Devil in His Sunday Best', was released in October 2011.
Tracy McNeil Band
Canadian songstress Tracy McNeil first visited Australia in 2007 with just a suitcase and her highly acclaimed debut album 'Room Where She Lives'. Initially intended to be a vacation, the trip turned into a creative writing frenzy that still hasn’t stopped. McNeil won the hearts of Australians in 2008 when she co-wrote and toured with Jordie Lane under the moniker Fireside Bellows. McNeil and her stellar band released her second solo album ‘Fire From Burning’ in mid-2011. Offering an alt-country concoction of grit, grace and an honest vulnerability, this is a very different artist on the rise.
www.myspace.com/tracymcneilmusic
Benny Walker
“He's been likened to Jack Johnson, Ben Harper, 
Donovan Frankenreiter and Dan Sultan, but in reality he doesn't need to be labelled. He needs to be booked, his CDs purchased... and you need to get to his gigs.” – Sam Cook, KISSmyBLAKarts
Offering an effortless blend of soul, blues, reggae and acoustic folk, indigenous performer Benny Walker is without doubt one of Australia’s most promising new talents. His intimate, eloquent song-writing is complemented by a rich and soulful voice which tells of the trouble, strife and wonder of everyday life. Benny’s debut album, Benny Walker, was produced by Kalju Tonuma and released in 2008. His 2010 EP, Summer Sun, embraced the bigger, lusher sound that characterises his live full-band shows. In addition to regular gigs throughout regional Victoria, Benny has appeared at festivals including Numurkah Foodbowl Music Festival, Echuca Winter Blues and Yarraville Festival. He performed on the First Nations stage at Woodford Folk Festival 2010, and featured in the ‘Archie’s Mob’ tribute to Archie Roach.
www.myspace.com/bennywalkersmusic
Nick Lovell
In the midst of recording his next batch of songs (due for release in late 2012), Nick Lovell's current direction features a marriage of traditional folk and country flavours with his happy knack for writing damn catchy pop tunes. At the centre of his new sound are delicate harmonies, stripped back guitars and the occasional banjo. Nick's band, "the Second Bloom" will feature Mark Vandenboom on lead guitar and Monique Vandenboom on harmonies.Hayward Williams (USA)
Hayward Williams (USA) grew up with a guitar in his 
hands, performing from an early age in cafes and bars throughout his home state of Wisconsin and around the Midwest. With two albums under his belt, he has visited Australia numerous times in the past two year to share his unique brand of alt-country Americana. Built on a foundation of folk and blues, Williams’ performances display a raw intensity tempered by his easy self-possession and wry charm. His latest album, Cotton Bell, was released in Australia last April and is a showcase of his effortless guitar playing and thoughtful, distinctive tenor. Williams has appeared at Yackandandah Folk Festival, Darebin Music Feast and Sydney Fringe Festival, among others.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0Grd-QT2_A