SummerStage: Emma Donavan / High Highs / George Byrne / DJ Ashley Feraude with Jonty Hall

SummerStage celebrates Australia with a program showcasing the hottest acts in contemporary music from Down Under.

George Byrne is a Sydney born singer-songwriter, MTV composer, and photographer. Described my MOJO UK as “Pink Floyd Americana by way of the Antipodes” it's doubtlessly melodic and high quality. Byrne released his first EP, Iron Skies in 2006, and his debut record Foreign Water in 2009 in Australia, the UK and the USA. After touring with Jason Molina, Washington, Ben Lee, Alex Lloyd, Tori Amos and others, Byrne decided to move to Los Angeles. His latest studio offering (the self titled George Byrne), features collaborations with The Cardinals (Ryan Adams) and The Motels and is out now through MTV USA on iTunes.

Oli Chang and Jack Milas started making music together as the High Highs in Sydney, Australia, while working at the same music production company. The band became an underground sensation, and has given rise to popular confusion about where they should be pigeonholed, not to mention a broad and varied list of published comparisons likening them to Simon & Garfunkel, because of their very quiet singer-song writing approach but with an occasional borderline-psychedelic sound or an ambient Hall & Oates. The bands brand of music includes tracks of sparse, ineffable beauty, featuring exquisite falsetto harmonies, an extraordinary blend of acoustic-guitar textures and synthesized atmospherics. At once ancient and modern, intimate and otherworldly, High Highs is so uniquely spellbinding, it’s sure to establish the young trio as pack leaders among 2012’s new breed.

Emma Donovan has established herself as one of Australia’s finest indigenous singer/songwriters. With the inclusion of her traditional language Gumbayngirr in her songs, Donavan is committed to educating the global community to understand more about Aboriginal culture and spirituality. Seamlessly blending genres from roots, reggae, gospel and smooth soul; she continues to have a major impact both on the Australian main stream stage and in the international arena. Donavan’s album, Ngarraanga (Remember) includes traditional language intercepted with spoken word. Two of Donavan’s singles, were nominated for the Australian Independent MusicOz Awards.

Australia based DJ and musician, Ashley Feraude shares his passion for house, disco and soul through residencies and regular spots in premier lounges and nightclubs throughout the country. Feraude’s gift for picking the right tracks, building a set for any occasion and connecting with audiences propelled him to work with a number of famed Australian artists as well as become well known as a musical tastemaker. Feraude will be accompanied by trumpet player extraordinaire, Jonty Hall.

Event website: http://www.georgebyrne.com