With seven weeks left until Queenscliff Music Festival spills across one of Victoria’s most prized coastal locales, three weeks until ticket prices increase and a matter of days until the few remaining VIP tickets sell out, the festival announces two exceptional new international acts: Tim Chaisson from Canada (pictured) and Trevor Hall from the USA. QMF also wishes to advise that international artist Elliott Brood will no longer be performing at QMF, due to unforeseen circumstances.These two sought-after new acts will join the already extensive 2014 lineup, but before we introduce to you those two international talents who will add extra flair to the the 2014 experience, a BIG congratulations is in order for this year’s QMF Emerging Artist Grant Recipients: Aine Tyrrell and Sagamore!Aine Tyrrell has been granted $3000 toward marketing and publicity campaign for the the release of her debut album ‘Gypsy Daughter’, and Sagamore have been granted $4780 toward the recording of their debut album.QMF’s Emerging Artist Grant is just one example of the relationship between this festival and the community that hosts it, with an aim to kickstart the careers of local musicians in the regions of Geelong, Barwon South West and the Bellarine Peninsula. It is open to budding artists and is based on artistic merit and potential for sustainability beyond the funding period – there is no age limit. Importantly, it provides a platform for artists in the region to access recording time, new equipment or the right mentor for management or marketing.It’s just one big ol’ lump of good news this week from QMF, and the striking international talent new to this year’s line up is no small part of it.Roots--based singer/songwriter and multi--instrumentalist Tim Chaisson hits the QMF stage after a trail through 2013-2014 with a blaze of high points, including an East Coast Music Award for best Roots/Traditional Solo Recording of the year, a finalist spot in the Canadian Country Music Association’s Discovery Program, and a nomination for Singer/Songwriter Discovery of the Year Award presented by satellite radio SiriusXM’s lauded Coffee House channel. Now armed with a 2014 follow up to his award-winning 2012 album, produced by Bill Reynolds (Band Of Horses), Tim is one to circle on this year’s program!
Trevor Hall‘s rock-reggae tunes have featured on the Shrek the Third soundtrack and as the theme tune to American TV station CBS program ‘This Morning’, as well as making it onto a handful of music tastemaker charts. They’ve also caught the ear of other renowned artists and Trevor has joined sold-out tours with artists such as Steel Pulse, The Wailers, Jimmy Cliff, Matisyahu, Michael Franti and Colbie Callait. In 2013 at the age of 26, after touring consistently for ten years, Trevor decided to take a break from the stage and go on an extended pilgrimage to India. Afterwards he spilled all that he had learnt onto the page and into song. His next album is set to be released in 2014 – and Queenscliff gets to hear it live!