The Palais-Hepburn is preparing to host Claire Anne Taylor and her band, as they present ‘Giving it Away’ the highly anticipated third studio album from the lauded Tasmanian songwriter.

Taylor brings her ‘Giving it Away’ tour to The Palais on Friday, February 23, an evening performance also featuring special guest Jethro Pickett.

With a distinctively emotive and powerful vocal ability that simultaneously expresses both an inner strength and a vulnerability, Tasmania’s Claire Anne Taylor has garnered a reputation for her powerful live shows – tough and tender performances that command audiences to a silence.

“One of those rare artists that comes along once in a blue moon,” wrote Shane Howard of Goanna about Taylor.

And the Sydney Morning Herald wrote of her: “One could make many a comparison when it comes to Claire Anne Taylor’s voice – Janis Joplin, Joni Mitchell, early Mia Dyson, all spring to mind and all are evident in Taylor’s vocal delivery. But essentially, it’s hers and hers alone. Husky, smokey, velvet and barbed, it’s an instrument in itself and it commands your attention.”

Steve Hoy is an Australian singer and songwriting legend with a career that includes writing and recording collaborations with Joe Camilleri, Dingoes Chris Stockley and Ross Wilson and tours with The Black Sorrows, Sheryl Crow, Melissa Etheridge, John Farnham, Emmylou Harris, Dwight Yoakam and Warren Zevon.

The Palais Hepburn Springs is a favourite venue for Hoy and right now he’s looking forward to playing live at the local venue next Friday January 12.

Steve Hoy first came to national attention in 1985 with the release of the Joe Camilleri produced Anticipation. The album, released on Camilleri’s Spirit label, contained rootsy versions of nine Hoy originals backed by Ross Hannaford, Wayne Duncan and Gary Young; Daddy Cool in all but name.

A single, Your Heart On My Sleeve picked up airplay in Canberra and Melbourne while the album received positive reviews.

The release of the mini-album Possession, recorded with The Hoy Boys – Mark Greig, Paul Norton and Grant Hampson – in 1987, followed a relocation to Melbourne where consistent live work headlining, or supporting acts such as The Black Sorrows, Paul Kelly, Stephen Cummings and even John Farnham had lifted Hoy’s profile.

A single Where I Come From, a song inspired by Hoy’s hometown of Newcastle, and an accompanying film clip picked up sufficient radio and TV interest to bring Hoy to the attention of music publishers Rondor Music and Jerry Moss, the M in A&M records.

The song also appeared on Three Triple R’s Also Used And Recommended By compilation of 1988.

In 1989 the radio success of the Mark Moffatt produced single Raindance led to the recording of Life Next Door, a critically acclaimed album that ended up in most newspaper ‘best of’ round ups for 1990.

A tour with Melissa Etheridge that year brought Hoy to a wider audience while another single Break Up Fall Out brought more airplay and was later recorded by Cameron Daddo.

A new version of Where I Come From was released being picked up by Triple J. However, the link with A&M was short lived, Hoy finding himself without a label at the same time the critics were praising his album.

Continued live work, principally during an eighteen-month residency at St Kilda’s Esplanade Hotel, saw Hoy develop a new, loyal audience. Hoy toured as opening act for The Black Sorrows, Warren Zevon and Tori Amos at this time, with Zevon offering to produce a record if the opportunity arose.

Taxiride brings its unique musical blend of retro sensibility with modern style to The Palais, Hepburn this Friday night, January 5.

Crafted over two years in Melbourne and Los Angeles, their debut album ‘Imaginate’ debuted at Number 1 on the Australian Music Charts.

It launched 4 singles including the memorable ‘Get Set’ and ‘Everywhere You Go’ (the most played Australian song on the radio for 2000).

Their second album ‘Garage Mahal’ contained their biggest hit ‘Creepin’ Up Slowly’, the most played song on the radio for 2002 and featured a further two hit singles.

Taxiride achieved Top 30 status in the States and subsequently toured the US, Japan and Europe. A 10 year hiatus saw Taxiride reform in 2015 with a limited run of shows.

Taxiride now returns with new live shows featuring faithful renditions of their hits plus their favourite album tracks – a must for lovers of harmony and infectious pop.

US-born blues and soul singer Oscar LaDell brings his band The Earth Tones for their first appearance at Palais-Hepburn later this month.

Drawing influence from the greats of 20th Century American Roots Music, LaDell and The Earth Tones play The Palais on Friday September 29 in what promises a night to remember, filled to the brim with grooves and ballads.

LaDell (pictured above) is a singer, songwriter and guitarist who brings a timeless vulnerability and passionate approach to his original blend of Soul, Blues & Roots. Hailing originally from Denver Colorado, LaDell grew up in Purakaunui in the South of Aotearoa.

Drawing from the moody and poignant scenes of his home, LaDell writes, plays and sings with incisiveness and depth. With his band The Earth Tones, Oscar’s live shows are incendiary sermons of soul, blending swaying grooves with dynamic storms of guitar and organ, all tied together by Oscar’s magnetic voice.

This month’s September 29 Palais gig gets going from 6.30pm.

US-born blues and soul singer Oscar LaDell brings his band The Earth Tones for their first appearance at Palais-Hepburn next month.

Drawing influence from the greats of 20th Century American Roots Music, this will be a night to remember, filled to the brim with grooves and ballads.

The Palais gig happens Friday, September 29th and those who plan to be there are being prepare to dance, listen and be moved by Oscar LaDell and The Earth Tones!

Oscar LaDell is a singer, songwriter and guitarist who brings a timeless vulnerability and passionate approach to his original blend of Soul, Blues & Roots.

Hailing originally from Denver Colorado, LaDell grew up in Purakaunui in the South of Aotearoa. Drawing from the moody and poignant scenes of his home, LaDell writes, plays and sings with incisiveness and depth.

With his band The Earth Tones, Oscar’s live shows are incendiary sermons of soul, blending swaying grooves with dynamic storms of guitar and organ, all tied together by Oscar’s magnetic voice.

Hailing from small town Heathcote and a darling of the thriving Bendigo music scene, folk artist Mariah McCarthy is one of Central Victoria’s most talented musos.

With delicately woven songs rich in storytelling, Mariah captivates her audiences through honest and affecting tales that hang around in your head long after listening.

Mariah broaches themes of love, loss, betrayal and tragedy with authenticity, and often haunting melancholy but always a glimmer of precious hope.

Mariah will be joined by fellow singer/songwriters Ben Langdon (The Bean Project, Grand Baxter) and Cassie Ward (Cass) when Mariah McCarthy Trio plays The Palais, Hepburn on Friday September, 8.

The seamless blend of Mariah and Cassie’s voices is something that can only be created through years of singing together, which for them began early on in primary school. With the addition of Ben’s smooth vocals and intricate guitar work, the trio creates something very special.

Tenzin’s message is uplifting and his joyfulness is infectious.

Acknowledged as one of the world’s finest Tibetan musicians, Tenzin Choegyal’s cantering rhythms, soaring vocals and exquisite flute solos have enchanted audiences around the globe and next month they’ll enchant plenty of local music lovers at The Palais, Hepburn.

A son of Tibetan nomads, he feels a particular connection to the music of the Himalayan plateau and remains dedicated to preserving Tibet’s musical traditions. At the same time, he effortlessly embraces diverse genres and musical styles, welcoming opportunities to move away from the traditional and into more contemporary, uncharted territory. An outstanding composer/performer with a great depth of musical knowledge, intuition and inventiveness, he skilfully brings Tibetan music firmly into a contemporary setting, all the while strongly holding the essence of ancient Tibetan wisdom.

Tenzin’s powerful vocals and connection with his audiences have established him as a favourite on the world music scene. He plays dranyen (Tibetan lute) and lingbu (bamboo flute) but is best known for his extraordinary vocal ability and performance of droklu, the nomadic music of his parents.

His concerts encompass soaring nomadic melodies, sublime flute pieces, sacred poetry and playful folk tunes, bringing traditional Tibetan sounds and practices into a very contemporary setting,

Through his music and warm explanations, Tenzin takes audiences on a musical journey which transcends cultural boundaries and reveals ancient wisdoms, even inviting them to join him in lively singalongs and meditative mantras.

Tenzin sees music as a universal form of communication with no boundaries, “like drifting clouds that fly freely over the man-made geographical borders in this infinite space of possibilities”.

For Tenzin music is life, no matter where he is. “My music has evolved through my own journey from Tibet to India to Australia and around the world. But wherever I am in the world, my music also connects me to my homeland of Tibet.”

Tenzin plays the Palais on Friday, August 25 with the show scheduled to get started from 6.30pm.