A tunesmith, guitarist, songwriter and teller of tall tales from the road less travelled but long toured, David is an acoustic amalgam part late 60's English folk and part late 70's Brit punk pop derived who lives off-grid between Australia and Canada and is hopeless at social media.
In 2017 she received her 6th & 7th nominations in the USA Blues Music Awards, the only Australian blues musician to ever be nominated in these prestigious honours. Winner of the Blues Blast Music Award 2017 'Acoustic Album of the Year' in the US for audiophile acoustic album 'Professin' the Blues' Fiona has just recorded a new electric album featuring her Fortune Tellers band mates Tim Neal (Hammond/bass/piano) and Mark Grunden (drums/percussion) and will be touring the album from May 2018, both solo and with the band.
Equally at home on acoustic or electric guitars, her mostly original repertoire is like a Blues travelogue. Listen to her play and you'll hear pre-war Delta slide, single chord Mississippi Hills grooves, intricate country blues finger picking along with material drawn from the classic blues sounds of New Orleans, Chicago and Memphis. Fiona continues to joyfully explore the music she loves with recent acquisitions such as cigarbox guitar and a rare ResoLectric Baritone adding new textures to her live show. On her latest release 'Professin' the Blues', Fiona digs deep into her love of acoustic blues guitar and songwriting: the roots of the Blues.
'She's got it! I've played with all of them - and she's got it!' the late, great Hubert Sumlin
"Blending tradition with innovation, and showing off her stellar guitar chops and sharp wit!" – Eric Wrisley, Blues Revue Magazine, USA
'I ain't never heard a woman finger-pick a guitar like that since Memphis Minnie. She's the best gal guitar player I heard in more than 35 years.'
- Delta pianist & Blues Hall of Fame legend 'Pinetop' Perkins
Since 2007 Psycho Zydeco have been performing with Gareth Cooley on drums and George Bibicos on piano and Hammond organ. This has led to a greater warmth and diversity in the band’s sound. Gareth and George’s playing has helped create a fresh vibe amongst the group and has been embraced by fans as a great new addition to the wild ride that is Psycho Zydeco.
With performances at every major music festival nation-wide, TV and radio appearances and three tours of the U.K. and Europe, Sydney based Psycho Zydeco are one of the most successful touring ‘blues/roots’ acts in Australia. All four of the band’s recordings, Swamp Box, Sell Your Soul, Zydeco Factory and Get On Board have been favourably received by fans and critics alike.
Cajun and Zydeco music were spawned from the melting pot of cultures that is New Orleans and Louisiana. When French speaking Acadians were exiled from Canada in the 18th century, many settled in Louisiana alongside the local Native American Indians, African slaves and European colonists already living in the region. They became known as Cajuns and their folk music became influenced by the surrounding cultures. Utilising button squeeze-box, fiddle, whistles, triangle and washboard, by the 19th century accordion was introduced as well as Spanish guitar and black Creole influences. Psycho Zydeco add saxophone and drums to this lively musical gumbo, creating a rollicking R&B mix that’s guaranteed to keep any dance floor crowded.
Through the years Psycho Zydeco have released several albums, toured internationally, performed at festivals big and small, and generally helped spread the beauty of the zydeco sound. The heady mix of traditional cajun, modern zydeco, blues and funk can conjure the atmosphere of an open air music festival, or a steaming late night jam.
The latest release is their fourth album, Get On Board.
“Psycho Zydeco has recently released one of the finest homegrown roots music albums of the past decade, which is worthy of an ARIA nomination.
Get On Board is a 16-track romp through the world of traditional and contemporary zydeco, interpreted in Psycho’s own unique style.
There’s a solid collection of originals, some classic covers from artists such as Terrence Simien and Clifton Chenier and some real contemporary grooves along the lines of Chris Ardoin. It’s highly recommended and worthy of an ARIA gong in the best roots category.”Pedro Manoy
Drum Media, Sydney
Psycho Zydeco are:
Stefan Sernek: Vocals, Accordion, Bass.
Gregg Hatton: Vocals, Guitar, Frottoir, Triangle.
Christopher Wilson: Vocals, Saxophone, Frottoir, Triangle.
Gene Gill: Drums.