Jenny Biddle

BALLINA man Col Groves liked country music icon Troy Cassar-Daley’s strumming so much when he saw him perform that he bought his guitar.

The guitar, which was signed by Mr Cassar-Daley, was one of a number of items put up for auction on the final day of the three-day Ballina Coastal Country Music Festival.

“I’ve just started playing guitar and we saw him play on Saturday night so I said to Judy (Mrs Groves) I’m going to bid on his guitar,” Mr Groves told The Northern Star yesterday.

After much spirited bidding Mr Groves of Ballina’s Col Groves Electrics snapped up the instrument for $1300.

“I’ve just started playing guitar and wanted to put a bit back into the community and the country music fest,” he said.

“It’s one of those things you will keep as your pride and joy – and hopefully my guitar playing will improve.”

Melbourne-based busker Jenny Biddle received her own mementos of the inaugural festival when she picked up two awards: the festival’s busker award and the People’s Choice Award.

“I was pretty shocked when I won both of them,” she said.

“It was pretty shocking weather but I’m glad I drove up from Melbourne for it.”

In the tradition of country music, her winning song Chest of Drawers was about a string of failed relationships.

Festival founder and organiser Carol Stacey said the event had “exceeded all expectations” with about 5000 people turning up over the three days despite the cold weather.

“Country music has a family fun atmosphere,” she said.

“We had four-year-olds dancing in the streets in front of jug bands with their grandmas sitting behind them tapping their toes.

“Everyone has said for a first-time festival it was more professionally run than any first-time festival they have attended.”

Article: Northern Star http://www.northernstar.com.au/story/2011/10/04/music-festival-in-tune-with-public/

Jenny appeared at part of the St Kilda Festival Live ‘n’ Local, appearing at the St Kilda Branch and the Republica during the festival week Feb 6-13th. Rewiew by Koraly Dimitriadis

JENNY BIDDLE REVIEW – http://www.stkildafestival.com.au/2011-s2/news.php?id=27
Sunday 6 February, The St Kilda Branch

I was running late to Jenny’s gig on Sunday afternoon. Walking down Barkley Street a guy I had only just met who was directing me towards The Branch, we were interrupted mid-conversation by a voice as gentle and as breathtaking at the sea breeze on my skin. It was Jenny, and her acoustic melodies were leading me towards her.

I met Jenny six months ago at a poetry gig I was performing at and we exchanged details. She had only moved to Melbourne recently to pursue a career in music. A friend of mine also performing that night saw her busking the day before and was so enthralled by her music that he sat beside her for two hours and wrote poetry. If that’s not inspiration, I don’t know what is. Since then, Jenny has gone on to win the best busker in Melbourne award, and has taken her music out onto the highway and is touring everywhere.

I had never heard her music before her performance at The Branch, and hadn’t seen Jenny since that day six months ago, but to say I was enthralled by her performance is an understatement. With a drummer playing in the background, a harmonica between her lips, and alternating between a keyboard and an acoustic guitar, Jenny captivated me, and held me attention for song after song – I almost felt like I was neglecting my friends, and the yummy $5 pizza I was munching on.

Jenny’s lyrics are poetic, with imagery that takes you on a journey, to other places. Jenny writes about real issues, things we all deal with: love, loss, our fears, hopes, the challenges that life throws at us. It is music that people can relate to, and it isn’t artificially constructed, like so much music these days, to appeal to the mainstream – Jenny is the real thing, she writes from the heart, from the soul, and you can hear that with every emotive stroke of her guitar, with every note she holds with her evocative voice. Her music is so powerful, it inspires change.

The song that resonated with me the most was ‘The finish line’… the sooner you can make the jump, you can race to the finish line�don’t wait and hide, you better start to climb, don’t just stand there at the bottom of this mountain, head straight for the finish line” – well, Jenny you’ve made the jump, and I’m certain you’re going to make it to the finish line.

Koraly Dimitriadis

www.koralydimitriadis.com

RELEASING MY INNER COUNTRY

Korumburra is a little town with a gorgeous soul. Over the last 6 months I’ve been doing cover gigs at the Middle Korumburra Hotel, whackin’ out some Keh Sanh and Piano Man, mingling with the friendly locals, avoiding pool cues (not chicken wire needed though), getting to know a few folk, and doin’ the drive back to Melbourne with a bag of m&ms late at night. I discovered they have a neat li’l busker’s festival every year. So this year I entered the busker’s competition, as I’ve enjoyed busking it up in Melbournetown.

The festival was held on a shocking stormy Saturday (don’t be put off for next year). I trekked in, marvelling at how GREEN the storm clouds were, and seeing “Flash flood warnings” as I scooted along the highway in my Yarismuster. But for the morning, the storm held off.

The streets were full of talented young and old folk. Primary, high school, and open bands, soloists, an array of diversity. It felt a li’l weird coming as an “outsider”(or an “irregular”) and playing at the festival. But the Burra was warm in their embracing of me. I did a li’l Chest of Drawers, Freezing Time, and Billie Jean (still haven’t… go the moonwalk thing happening, but was anticipating there’d be a li’l Burra Moonwalka in the crowd).

The storm hit, the buskers scattered and the sausage sizzle ended!

But the fun and the finals continued in pub.

I was honoured to win the Open Solo section of the competition, and furthermore won the Grand Championship of the Korumburra Busker’s Festival. First place included cash, a neat li’l trophy, and 10 hours recording time at Dex Studios in Newmarket. Absolutely stoked. Our li’l band is currently researching studios to record the next album, and this prize will help out greatly. Looking forward to getting back in the studio!

Big congratulations to all the other buskers!

It’s times like this when I unleash the country girl in me. The buskers, musos, locals, sang and danced the night away, with a few boot-scootin’ moves (I had some mighty fine lessons from the locals), and jam sessions. Highlight was when a local chap jumped up to take a WASHBOARD solo in one of my new tunes. I think I’ll recruit him for the album! An absolute ball.

Thanks to all the organisers for putting in a MAMMOTH effort to make the festival happen. Looking forward to catching it next year!

Release your inner country!

Article in the South Gippsland Sentinel-Times November 30 2010. Click image to see full size image.

Flemington musician Jenny Biddle is Melbourne’s best busker.

Biddle took out the title at a charity event at City Square earlier this month as part of Melbourne Music Week.

She was one of the city’s 1400 registered buskers invited to belt out their favourite tunes at the square. The winner was determined by how much money was tossed their way. Biddle’s acoustic version of the Michael Jackson classic Billie Jean was a crowd favourite.

“I was honoured to take out the title – the crowd busted out the moonwalk to my bluesy version of Billie Jean – it was great.

“Melbourne has such a thriving busking scene, I do a lot of gigs around Melbourne but love busking,” Biddle said.

“Music really is about engaging people.”

The quest to find Melbourne’s best busker was a Street Change charity event, run by the Rotary Club of Melbourne Park, in conjunction with the City of Melbourne.

Article from The Moonee Valley Weekly.

Interview by Jenny Okeefe from Cherrie Mag
Issue 33, June 2010

How did music start for you?

Oddly enough I’d say it started in the womb, as I was fed the beat of Cold Chisel. I have quite a musical family, and recall jamming on the ukulele before age 5. I learned piano and guitar, and at 10 started composing tunes about childhood shenanigans. Since, my passion for music has turned into my career and lifestyle.

How would you describe your music?

Missy Higgins meets Ani Difranco? I’m quite the passionate songstress and love spicing up my tunes with intricate feisty guitar work. There’s a great variety – alternative folk with hints of blues, roots, pop, soft rock, even jazz. There’s an instrumental guitar track on my new album too, that branches off into a musical excursion that goes wherever it goes. Recently I’ve been exploring country music. I’m always hoping to venture into new territories.

Who and what are you influences and inspirations?

I admire artists like The Waifs, The Whitlams. Love the guitar work from Josh Cunningham, Ian Moss, John Mayer. I have a strong respect for Aussie indie artists like Liz Stringer, Sal Kimber, Jen Cloher, and admire their hard work, passion, humility and the “keeping it real” factor. Lyrical inspirations stem from self-reflection, hardship, satisfaction, longing for change, breakups, and there’s an emotive ballad on my album about the VIC bushfires.

You recently moved to Melbourne from Sydney, what prompted the move?

The music scene, not to mention the architecture, cafes, food, and art, in Melbourne is terrifically vibrant, and for the last few years I’ve been itching to get into the thick of it and explore its beaut venues, talented musicians and creative culture. I’ve spent most of my music career in Sydney, and it’s time to venture into Australia’s musical capital (bout time I left the nest too). I’m loving Melbs. I don’t believe I could grow tired of this city.

You’ve been busking around the streets of Melbourne, what do you love about busking?

I love the warmth and cheeriness that dissipates through the streets when music enters the air. Gosh this city is cold in winter (I’m a wimpy Sydneyite) but to get out, play tunes, and watch the joy on the streets, it’s so uplifting. I love interacting with people, making them laugh, having street sing-alongs, dancing, touching them with a lyric, and feeling the connection between people. It’s always different, an adventure, and makes for a change from pub gigs.

What’s the strangest thing someone has given you while busking?

An orange. A lime. A block of cheese. Japanese Beer. 4 packets of Cashmere Bouquet Soap (???). A $50 note. A God pamphlet. A Spanish 5cents. I’m still hoping for a Caramello Koala.

What has been your career highlights so far?

Releasing my first studio album “Chest of Drawers” (2009) was a terrific milestone. A year in the making, it was such an honour to finish. Some other highlights include supporting Cotton, Keays and Morris, singing the National Anthem for 8000 runners at the 2008 Melbourne Marathon, and winning the Just Guitars: Best Artist Award at Port Fairy Folk Festival. But the journey has just begun, and I’m sure many challenges, successes and frustrations lie ahead.