Australian singer, songwriter and one-of-a-kind guitar virtuoso Daniel Champagne first picked up his instrument of choice as a five-year-old following in the footsteps of a musical father. He began writing songs at 12, training classically throughout his teens before leaving school at 18 to turn professional and hit the road. The next five years saw him traversing North America, the United Kingdom, Europe, NZ and of course, his homeland Australia playing on the stages of Vancouver and Mariposa Folk Festivals (Canada), Labadoux Festival (Belgium) as well as Woodford, Falls, Port Fairy Folk Festivals and the legendary Byron Bay Bluesfest (Australia).
Daniel has toured and shared the stage with Lucinda Williams, Judy Collins, INXS, John Butler, KT Tunstall and Ani DiFranco, Jake Shimabukuro, Rodrigo Y Gabriela – all of this while writing, producing and independently releasing 3 albums and 4 EP's. His latest release ‘Fault Lines’ is available now, a breakthrough recording catapulting his career.
“Daniel Champagne exudes a natural ease on stage, as he sings poignant lyrics and beautifully crafted melodies that invariably whisk the heart up with grand romanticism. Coupled with an exhilarating guitar talent that transcends mere acoustic playing to replicate a whole band, Champagne is just magical”
themusic.com.au
VIDEO: Heart Shaped Tattoo - https://www.youtube.com/watch'v=LvOwPyvJmys
WEB: www.danielchampagnemusic.com
Joining the bill at Sherwood Queenstown is NZ's favourite minstrel Monty Bevins, who's been traversing Aotearoa with no fixed abode for the last 5 years, with a slowness and a willingness to go in. Monty's curiosity and resilience take him to all the small places, and with nowhere else to rush off to he takes the time to notice detail, and to listen carefully to someone's story. For each one of these stories he cares enough about, a groove to house the emotion is matched, and up to the surface rises another nuggety song, with each word drawn from a real life experience.
Monty's the opposite of that shy bedroom artist who finds performing live painful, it’s where he's most comfortable, sharing intimately and connecting in the real world with humans who feel, cry, reminisce and laugh, together. When the live experience clicks, drawing neighbours, strangers, lovers, travellers, introverts and extroverts in to a hub where they have the time to mingle and deepen for a moment, it's a beautiful thing to be a part of.
I was pleasantly surprised with his obviously honed and crafted live performance, as he effortlessly intertwined elements of folk, roots and soul together.”
Poppy Tohill, 13th floor.
Video: Lovers Again - https://vimeo.com/213386711
Website: www.montybevins.com
Daniel Champagne (AUS) & Monty Bevins
Sherwood Queenstown (554 Frankton Rd)
Fri April 20, 7pm doors
Presales $15, else $20 on the door
