Hussy Hicks band
Quite simply, he is an amazing guitarist, songwriter, performer and producer and has recorded five albums to date, ranging in genres from contemporary electric blues, acoustic blues, and finger-pickin' country. Captivating audiences all over the world with his unique blues guitar style and soulful voice, Simon will be in solo mode performing songs from his just released solo album "Catfish" and his latest band release "Street Blues".
Simon has caught the attention of some of the world's best:
Steve Luthaker (Guitarist - Toto, Michael Jackson, Ringo Starr) about Simon's new album "Street Blues" - "Great man. Your voice has a little Bonnamassa in it…which is cool. Love the tune too. KILLER solo!
T.J. Helmerich (Producer - Steve Vai, Victor Wooton) this about Simon's 2015 release "Strat Attack"…
"Simon's releases never cease to amaze me! This one is my favourite I think... love the writing, and the playing. Simon's guitar talents truly shine on this, as he effortlessly navigates through tricky progressions with fire, grace and taste!"
Christian Howes - leading jazz violinist and professor at the Berklee College of Music (Les Paul, Greg Osby, Robben Ford) "One of the most soulful guitar players on the planet!"
Simon Cotsworth - Producer/Engineer (Seal, Santana, Benson, Ritenour) "What I look for is timing and performance..and Simon is top on both of those."
Luke was born in London into a musical household. His father Alan was a successful rock musician in the 60's before moving behind the scenes of the industry in the 70s to join rock and roll freight company "Rock-it Cargo". This enabled Luke to receive an incredible musical education, watching shows by legendary artists like Prince, Bruce Springsteen and The Stones while he was just a boy. At the same time Luke also fell in love with TV comedy shows like Blackadder and The Young Ones, providing the combination of rock and roll and anarchic humour that would form the basis of his songwriting.
Luke moved to Sydney in his 20s, releasing his first album as a solo artist in 2008. "Golden Ages" was a folky, mostly acoustic collection of introspective story songs. But it was his second album - "Mantown" - where he found his true voice; returning to the blues, soul and rock music he'd loved in his youth, plugging in his guitar and turning up the volume. "Mantown" spent nine straight months in the top ten of the Australian Blues and Roots charts and spawned two unforgettable music videos for singles "Drop tha Bomb" and "iMan".
In 2011, after a long period away from music due to a chronic illness, Luke wrote and starred in a one-man musical comedy show called "Chronic", inspired by his experiences as a patient in the Australian healthcare system. The show received rave reviews and went on to comedy and fringe festivals around the country as well as a 9-night season at the Edinburgh Fringe. Parts of the show were televised on ABC TV in Australia and this led to Luke being asked to perform for three years in a row at Parliament House in Canberra and at the New Zealand National Museum in Wellington, launching him into a new career as a public speaker.
In 2014, after regaining his health and becoming a Dad, Luke was inspired to create a show for kids and parents called The Vegetable Plot. Once again combining a variety of music styles with his love of wordplay and subversive humour, The Vegetable Plot is now a nationally touring, multi-award-winning show, playing at libraries, schools, foodie events, community gardens and major festivals like Splendour in the Grass.
In the last 12 months, Luke's career as a musical keynote speaker and health advocate has gone international. He has performed at events in Chicago, Hong Kong, Vienna, Bangkok and Miami and been awarded the WEGO Health Award for his use of music and humour to inspire those living with chronic illness. Luke is a proud ambassador for Crohn's and Colitis Australia and an official partner of the Australian City Farms and Community Gardens Network and the Healthy Kids Association. He is also the owner of "Sydney's sexiest man voice" - a title he won in a radio competition on Sydney's Mix 106.5FM.
Known for their emotive lyricism, energetic live shows and fiery, frenetic instrumentation, it's no surprise Hussy Hicks have staying power. From Gold Coast Artist of the Year and Album of the Year wins to Queensland Music Award and Golden Guitar nominations, their critical accolades extend even further, with guitarist Parker being touted by Australian legend, Phil Emmanuel as 'Australia's top female guitar player' and voted fifth in Bluesfest's Guitar Hero fan poll, among Santana and BB King.
"Some artists need to be seen to be believed, and Hussy Hicks fit that category." - Sarah Howells, Double J
A not to be missed act that are ready for the world" - Peter Noble, Bluesfest Director