2025 Blues Bytes
Interviews by Bob Gordon
Eugene Hideaway Bridges
Eugene talks about Bridgetown and memories of his dear friend, Rick Steele
Eugene Hideaway Bridges has visited Australia to play almost 40 times, including many performances for Blues at Bridgetown, the last being in 2016. He has nothing but fond memories and feelings for both the festival and the town.
“I talk about Bridgetown all the time because first of all it reminds me of Addis, Louisiana, but Addis has traffic lights,” he laughs. “Bridgetown don’t have traffic lights! But Bridgetown was this wonderful place that I had a chance to visit, and it made me feel so welcome.
Coterie
Where do you feel you fit in musically along the blues and roots scale?
Musically, we sit somewhere between the dusty blues road and the rootsy campfire circle. We love blending the grit of old-school blues with the laid-back, earthy vibes of roots music. It’s like skating that sweet line between raw emotion and chilled storytelling – both feed into each other and keep the sound alive.
What have been the highlights of your music career thus far?
The highlights so far? Definitely sharing stages with some legends, dropping tracks that found their way into people’s playlists, and feeling that rush when a crowd sings your lyrics back to you. Those moments are like landing a clean trick after hours of bailing – pure stoke, pure payoff.
Surely Shirley
Where do you feel you fit in musically along the blues and roots scale?
We definitely feel although our music pulls influences from so many different genres. Especially our latest EP, Patchwork Palace. As tied in the name it’s a fusion of all the soundscapes we love and adore… there’s so many folk influences tied in this one.
What have been the highlights of your music career thus far?
Our highlights have been plentiful thus far! Playing some shows in Austin Texas this year were definitely a pinch us moment, but every moment on stage surrounded by your best mates is quite a win.
Great Gable
What have you been mainly focussing on in 2025 and how is it coming along?
We focussed initially on touring overseas for the first half but for the second half we are mostly working on new music and it’s been going well. We are in no rush and just going back to our roots of really taking our time and enjoying the little things.
What are your plans and hopes for 2026?
Would love to get back overseas at some point. Visit some new places we haven’t been! Do a tour with some of our close mates. Drop another album, start again on another one.
What can folks expect from your performances at Blues at Bridgetown?
All the hits, maybe some new songs? Some classic banter from Al and hair flicks from Chris and maybe I’ll wear a cowboy hat or something.
Reuben De Melo
What’s the best thing about playing festivals?
You get to share your music with a larger audience and also watch and learn from other artists and industry people.
Do you have a Blues at Bridgetown experience that you’d like to share, either performing or as an audience member?
No, I’ve only ever been sitting in an Events Ambulance at festivals as a first responder, but never for Blues at Bridgetown. This will be my first!
Where do you feel you fit in musically along the blues and roots scale?
Right in the middle, as I love…
The Little Stevies
Both The Little Stevies and Teeny Tiny Stevies and performing at Blues at Bridgetown this year, where do you feel both bands fit in musically along the blues and roots scale?
We’ve often found ourselves playing at blues and roots festivals over the years because our Little Stevies music has its background in folk music. We grew up going to folk, blues and roots festivals, watching local Australian artists play and tell their stories. Once we started a band ourselves it was these festivals that gave us our first gigs. Our kids/family band, Teeny Tiny Stevies, gives us more opportunities to play in all sorts of different genres which is very freeing and a lot of fun.
Lightnin Jack
What’s the best thing about playing festivals?
Without a doubt the people – all the people.
Do you have a Blues at Bridgetown experience that you’d like to share, either performing or as an audience member?
Hearing Tony Joe White for the first time at Blue Owl’s Nest (2005) from the outskirts of the festival and being drawn into the fence to listen to the full set as a young boy. Little did I know I would have the chance to…
Michael VDelli & The Art of Dysfunction
What’s the best thing about playing festivals?
Getting to see and hear the other acts, catching up with old friends and performing to large and enthusiastic crowds. Also, the fact that everybody is in a good mood and there for the music is what make festivals so much fun to be part of.
Where do you feel you fit in musically along the blues and roots scale?
This band is definitely experimental in terms of the grooves we explore – from Latin to swing to shuffle to boogie to slow 6/8 blues to blues/rock. We also feature dual guitars playing harmony lines which I love. The ‘Blues and Roots’ scale is somewhat subjective.
Minnie Marks
Do you have a Blues at Bridgetown experience that you’d like to share, either performing or as an audience member?
Oh absolutely! Blues at Bridgetown is one of those special places that just feels like home. I’ve played there over a good handful of times now, maybe even two! And every show has had its own unique thang going on. Some of my favourite sets over the years have been by the Hussy Hicks, Marshall And The Fro, Lloyd Spiegel, Blue Shaddy, Sweet Talk and more. There are too many rock solid memories to even begin to delve into!
Andrew Winton
What can folks expect from your performances at Blues at Bridgetown?
I have not been to Bridgetown for a few years despite some nice invitations, so I am looking forward again to giving as much energy that I can muster to my shows, while trying to deliver some nuanced stuff in often intimate settings for people. I will be selecting a range of songs from my 6 albums, always sprinkling unexpected covers of my favourite 80s pop tunes (bluesified of course) and bringing the odd gem from the rich history of blues done a bit differently. I also enjoy talking to people on stage, ditching the ego and joining music enthusiasts in full blues immersion. Maybe they’ll let me get a bunk at the camp school again for old time’s sake?