Tom Richardson

Blues comes to the beach again this year. Although this combination would not usually go hand in hand, this unusual pairing melds together perfectly to create the smooth vibe of the annual, Blues on Broadbeach Music Festival. Situated just south of Surfers Paradise, Broadbeach brings the sounds of the 'south' to the streets this year from May 24-27.

In its 11th year, Blues on Broadbeach will still offer patrons a free event which nurtures the talents of blues, roots and rock musicians from Australia and abroad. With over 55 acts on several stages and venues situated from the Broadbeach Mall to Surf Parade, you'll want the whole four days to explore. Luckily enough, this festival is smack bang in the middle of the Broadbeach hotel precinct. As well as offering a great place to stay, Broadbeach's restaurants, cafes, bars and shops are open for business, creating a community atmosphere whilst the blues croon away in the background.

Crooners will include Jon Stevens, Ali Penny and the Money Makers, Bob Malone (USA) and Diesel, and that's only to name a few. Alongside the smooth sounds of these singers, festival regulars like Mason Rack, Bondi Cigars and The Tom Richardson Project are back to wow audiences with their slick and driven performances.

The Tom Richardson Project is one not to be missed if last year's show is any indication. This seven piece group sports a saxophonist, drummer, bass player, a female singing trio, and Tom himself on lead guitar and vocals. With hints of reggae, funk and roots blended into blues, this band puts on a spirited set with personality. Tom Richardson Project will wrap up the night on the Broadbeach Mall Stage from 9pm on the Saturday and also play two separate sets on the Sunday.

Sunday the 27th, the last day of the festival, treats the crowds to a stellar line-up. Diesel, Juzzie Smith, Blind Lemon and Doc Span are just the start of the world class artists playing on the day. Australian guitar virtuoso, Phil Emmanuel will perform with his band at 12:30pm on Surf Parade and with blues guitarist, Peter Hawkes at 6pm at the iconic Envy Hotel.

Be sure to stop into one the many bars and pubs that are dotted around Broadbeach as they will also play as venues for the musicians and performers. The Envy Hotel, Love Nightlife, the Broadbeach Tavern, and Alto Cucina and Bar will be the hot-spots to see some amazing music.

Beach in the morning, banjos at lunch and bass after dinner, Blues on Broadbeach is fast becoming a renowned and infectious Queensland festival. So put on your fedora and wayfarers and head south for some smooth tunes. - Zara Downie - weekendnotes.com

"I first became aware of Tom’s music few years back when he was performing as part of Black Market Music’s “Young Guns” project and I
could see that the lad had promise. A few years and a debut solo album later Tom has more than lived up to this promise. A strong guitar player Tom also has the singing and song writing chops to help make this album stand apart from the pack of young blues-inspired per-formers currently doing the rounds. Blues mixes with gospel, rock and reggae influences to
create a strong album which hints a bright future for this talented young man." - Melbourne Blues Appreciation Society, Australia

"I first became aware of Tom’s music few years back when he was performing as part of Black Market Music’s “Young Guns” project and I
could see that the lad had promise. A few years and a debut solo album later Tom has more than lived up to this promise. A strong guitar player Tom also has the singing and song writing chops to help make this album stand apart from the pack of young blues-inspired per-formers currently doing the rounds. Blues mixes with gospel, rock and reggae influences to
create a strong album which hints a bright future for this talented young man." - Melbourne Blues Appreciation Society, Australia

"I first became aware of Tom’s music few years back when he was performing as part of Black Market Music’s “Young Guns” project and I
could see that the lad had promise. A few years and a debut solo album later Tom has more than lived up to this promise. A strong guitar player Tom also has the singing and song writing chops to help make this album stand apart from the pack of young blues-inspired per-formers currently doing the rounds. Blues mixes with gospel, rock and reggae influences to
create a strong album which hints a bright future for this talented young man." - Melbourne Blues Appreciation Society, Australia

"Just wished to let you know how much my brother and I enjoyed seeing blues soloist Tom Richardson, a young slide guitarist and singer/songwriter from Victoria, last Sunday evening at Lloyds hotel, Launceston, 5.30pm.
As well as being an attractive, funny and humble gentleman, what made his repertoire enjoyable for me was seeing a young person play such traditional blues tunes as those written by Robert Johnson, also "Them Spoonfuls" and "Don't You Ever Let Nobody Drag Your Spirit Down". This shows his "blues roots" are in the right place.
Scattered in between these golden oldies were his own songs: he started with a few of his gentler ones and ended the last set with a blistering slide tune with an ever-escalating dirt stomping tempo, always a real crowd pleaser: "He was goin' orrfff", etc.
I could hear definite contemporary influences in his playing such as Ash Grunwald and John Butler; but to my mind, the gentleness of his voice in some of his softer ballads is reminiscent of Jack Johnson and John Mayer.
Overall, a great combination of styles are at his fingertips for the future, lucky him. Added to his easy use of dynamics (light and heavy touches) throughout his songs, his chord work was often interesting and, most importantly, I found no fault with his sense of timing, which was SPOT ON; an essential for good blues, don't ya reckon?
I hope that Tom Richardson returns to perform for us again one day in Tassie, and look forward to joining you there..." - Launceston Blues Club, Australia

"Each of the performers were unique and impressive in their talents but the best was saved for last with a performance from Tom Richardson, on guitar, and Eddie Boyle, on harmonica.

The Warrnambool duo fed off each other and improvised de- pending on the direction the other headed.

They were energetic and fast-paced providing a fabu- lous climax to a memorable night." - Geelong Advertiser

"Each of the performers were unique and impressive in their talents but the best was saved for last with a performance from Tom Richardson, on guitar, and Eddie Boyle, on harmonica.

The Warrnambool duo fed off each other and improvised de- pending on the direction the other headed.

They were energetic and fast-paced providing a fabu- lous climax to a memorable night." - Geelong Advertiser

The Tom Richardson Project – Guide Your Ship Review

Tom Richardson was described as the “Next Best thing in Australian Roots Music”, after releasing his first independent album Evolution in 2008. Now, with a new eight-piece band, The Tom Richardson Project is going to be bigger with their new album Guide your Ship!

Originally from Warrnambool in Victoria, Tom first picked up a guitar at the age of 10. He has won various Busking Championships and has been a finalist for awards such as Song of the Year (2010), Australian Blues Music Awards – Male Vocalist of the Year (2010), and Blues Best New Talent (2010) He has also played, and received a lot of praise at various Folk, Blues and Reggae festivals around Australia. At the Fleurieu Folk Festival Tom was described as “The talk of the festival” by the Director, Annie Thorton. Tom has also shared the stage with icons such as John Butler, Diesel and The Audreys.

The Tom Richardson Project show their talents throughout this new album. Tom uses cool techniques for the change in pitch on his lap steel guitar and bottleneck techniques for slides.The unique instruments make this album a bit more interesting. The deep lyrics are creative and are delivered in an up-beat way, for example, in the song ‘One Heart’, the music is fast-paced and fun, but the lyrics are deeper than that; “Going down to the river, Gonna wash this body clean, Close my eyes, Try to forget what i have seen”. On the current album there are 17 tracks to chose from, each with it’s own unique sound. The lyrics are poetic and are accompanied by gifted musicians like Ross Beaton on saxophone, Fast Eddy Boyle on harmonica and Brenton Smith with percussion to name a few, and of coarse, amazing vocals by Carla Fahey, Nkechi Anele, Sophie Woonton and Tom Richardson.

Stand out tracks on the album would have to be ‘View from Above’ and ‘Learning to Breathe Again’. The music in both songs is calming and the lyrics make you think about the relationship between the two people the song is about. They are easy listening songs but have an addictive beat. More exciting tracks, ‘One Heart’ and ‘Only God Knows’ would be enough to get people out of their seats. My definite favourite on the album though, would have to be ‘Other Side Of The Street’. The pace of this song and the lyrics, combined with Tom Richardson’s awesome voice made it a relaxing, easy favourite.The Tom Richardson Project experiments within their genre of roots/reggae. The songs all have the same feel but the change in pace gives it a variety.

Tom Richardson has brought the talent from his first album to the Tom Richardson Project and along with the unique skills of the rest of his band, has produced an awesome album, well worth listening to. - CHYFM Radio

"When asked to predict who among this year's stellar line-up are poised for the big time, McKew thinks deeply and replies, "Tom Richardson is almost mainstream already. He's a local musician… he is already hitting big stages. He is a very creative and hard-working man. He has an even bigger band this time so he's really going to knock people's socks off!" Indeed, attendees at Port Fairy last year will be inclined to agree with Jamie as Tom's funky and soulful performance was one of the memorable highlights of the 2010 festival..." - Beat Magazine