Geoff Turnbull

TOOLS OF TRADE

Vocals, stompbox, maton lap steel, fender tapper, tamborine, maton acoustic, harmonica, effects pedal, dobro resonator guitar.

ROCKIN ROOTS AND STOMPIN GROOVES

“Best new talent best male vocalist” Newcastle blues fest 2007 “Individual, definitive and electrifying” Fasterlouder 2006 “Mesmerizes his audience with wicked beats” Tsunami Mag 2005 “1 man a zillion trillion sounds” UQ union 2004

NEWS! “TRANSIT BANDIT” OUT APRIL 08

After a massive 3 years of solid touring around OZ clocking up 300 shows and covering 100,000kms in his Transit van, it is only fitting Geoff's new album would be titled "Transit Bandit. Produced by Steve James at Rockinghorse studios Byron Bay the album features Geoff in both solo and band format. A massive national tour is scheduled for 2008 to promote its arrival.

HYPE

With his individual approach Turnbull has received critically acclaimed reviews, being rated alongside the greats of Ben Harper, John Butler & Xavier Rudd but all have outlined the same explosive element that Turnbull carries like no other. Turnbull has a volatile streak which gives him an explosive nature, “an unexpected eruption of strumming burst out midway through the set, draws awe- struck gasps and spontaneous applause” Fasterlouder 2005. “All in all Turnbull’s refreshing live approach imbues him with a spontaneity the didactic John Butler can only dream about” Rave mag ‘2004’. “Turnbull has more variation & the tendency towards the ferocious which John Butler & Rudd do not have making for a more interesting performance” Fasterlouder 2005. “Turnbull’s songs are sparse, personal, intimate and pure, without the ego tripping rockstar posture and is certainly a musician who releases his demons in a subversive, energetic live performance” Beat 2004.

BACKGROUND

Whilst promoting his first 2 albums Geoff has slotted major festivals including; Festival Of The Sun, Day In The Vines, Trial Bay Music Festival, Port Fairy Folk Festival, Nimbin Mardigrass, Brisbane’s Urban Blues & Roots festival, Castlemaine State Festival, Newcastle Blues Festival, and was awarded ‘Best New Talent’ & ‘Best Male Vocalist’ at the Newcastle Blues Festival ‘07’. He has also supported some top Aussie acts including; COG, Gotye, Lior, The Fumes, Kid Confucious, Butterfingers, Clare Bowditch, Saritah, Dallas Frasca, Vasco Era, Ash Grunwald, The Mess Hall, Carus, Mick Hart. Geoff grew up on the outskirts of Kempsey N.S.W, and was influenced by many of the fine musicians that had settled there for the quieter life. Musical styles came many and varied, with bluegrass, folk and rock being apart of the family jam sessions. As the youngest sibling major influences came from his two older brothers (Simon-Drums and Jason-Guitar) who performed regularly in the band Midian. Many of Geoff's rhythmic songs are the result of drum tuition from Simon. Whilst Geoff is now undertaking a PHD looking into clinical treatments for Huntington's disease. Turnbull still finds time to record albums (6 to date), and build a loyal following by touring extensively around Australia. He does this a solo performer, as a brother in the turnbull sessions (www.turnbullsessions.com) outfit and as a member of the Introduced Species (www.introducedspecies.net)

PERFORMANCE

Geoff's lap steel slide, acoustic tapping slide and mind rattling rhythm based acoustic has him titled as a captivator of audiences (Townsville bulletin) with a unique gift for music (Lismore Uni). His variation in styles, rhythm and attack provides a show that never fails to intrigue. Soothing melodies captivate the audience, raw but directed outbursts chill spines and eccentric rhythms inspire trancelike dance sessions. Layering via multiple pickups allows eclectic effects to be layered over sensual acoustic sounds. Soulful vocals complement the music and top this unique performer's act. Turnbull is renowned for his world class quality live show and is best summed up by the following live reviews; "Comparisons to blues and roots men like John Butler and Xavier Rudd are inevitable but are largely misleading. Turnbull is much more rhythm-driven and writes songs so intricate and lengthy, they make Butler seem concise. Turnbull also has much more variation in his music than Rudd, making for a more interesting performance. Turnbull also has a tendency towards the ferocious that both Rudd and Butler do not have: an unexpected eruption of rapid strumming burst out midway through the set, drawings awe-struck gasps and spontaneous applause. The only obstacle to Turnbull replacing John Butler as the figurehead of Australian roots and blues is his fondness for long sections of guitar solos, therefore making commercial radio an unlikely prospect for him. For mine, I hope he succeeds without changing his style, which is individual, definitive and electrifying" LIVE @ Oxford Tavern, 06/07/2005 Ginger Ninja www.fasterlouder.com "Mesmerizes his audience w/ frenetic strumming and wicked beats" Deborah Swain Tsunami Magazine May 2004 "captives his audiences and takes them on a musical journey" Lismore Union 2003

ACHIEVEMENTS

Transit bandit released april 2008: National tour airplay and distribution Day 2 released 27th Nov 2005 with JJJ airplay & MGM distribution. Day 2 East coast tour Dec 05 9 mth tour of Australia for “Day 1” covering all states but NT. Performances at Port fairy folk festival, Tasmania Tier Festival, Castlemaine Festival and Tasmania's Ten Days on the Island festival Turnbull Sessions EP Released 1/05; East coast tour & JJJ airplay Release of studio album 'From IS-Land Day 1' in Jan 2004. East coast tour (Jan-Nov 2004) & airplay within Australia & Europe. Supports with ; COG, Gotye, Lior, The Fumes, Kid Confucious, Butterfingers, Clare Bowditch, Saritah, Dallas Frasca, Vasco Era, Ash Grunwald, The Mess Hall, Carus, Mick Hart. Featured alongside Phil Emmanuel, Kev Borich and Ash Grunwald in Tsunami magazine 21st century blues article. Best university band over consecutive years in various states with best musician for 2002. Winner of brisbane's 3rd best busker status for 2003. Management; Hank: 0401 584 552 or hank@geoffturnbull.com.au