"Off The Cuff" is Launching!

It's been a long time coming and a lot of hard work but it's finally here! The long awaited collaboration between Jay Hoad and Chris Finnen is ready for release. This weekend there will be a special preview launch concert for Jay and Chris' local fans who will have the first crack to take home the new CD!

Read all about it in this article by Haydn Radford in 'Weekend Notes'

Worldwide digital distribution will follow in early February. Stay tuned!

This special album also features supporting appearances by Shaun Doddy on drums/percussion and Jim Miller on trumpet/flugelhorn. Cheers!

Five Reasons To Be A Musician

Jay shares his thoughts in this recent article published in scenestr, the magazine on Australian pop culture and entertainment:

1. The campfires on the open road.

2. The funky people you meet along the way.

3. The party (the hang).

4. Music breaks all language barriers; jamming with people in other countries that don't necessarily even speak the same language as you and being able to understand each other on a musical level is always incredible!

5. Playing your own music and being able to make people's day brighter, simply through a song.

Check out the tour schedule and get yourself over to a show in your neck of the woods and say g'day to Jay!

New Album- Final Push!

As part of our campaign to raise funds to produce the new album, an article has been published in Weekend Notes by Haydn Radford, partially excerpted below. Click here to read the article at the source and please get involved!

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Two of South Australia's finest and internationally known musicians, Chris Finnen and Jay Hoad have embarked on an exciting campaign seeking public support with a Pozible Crowdfunding Campaign so they can finish producing their latest album, "Off the Cuff".

For the Record:
Chris Finnen, one of Australia's most innovative guitarists is often referred to as a 'guitarist's guitarist', was inducted into the South Australian Music Hall in 1995, and the Blues Hall of Fame in New York, USA, in August 2013.

In 2005 Chris performed for the Dalai Lama and was a guest of the International Expo in Nagoya, Japan. He has performed on stage with some of the world's greatest guitarists and performers including, Buddy Guy, Bo Diddley, Eric Burdon, Roy Buchanan, Jimmy Witherspoon, Keb Mo, Bob Brozman, Johnny Copeland, The Holmes Brothers, and the list continues...

Jay Hoad is well know Internationally for his high-energy exotic sounds of blues, rock, reggae, island, Latin and Celtic music, whether playing solo or with other musicians. Over the last eight years Jay has toured the world performing his music in the Caribbean, South East Asia, India, Fiji, the United States and Australia and has been inspired by their music and cultures while touring. His performances create a host of exotic sounds from his assortment of guitars, didgeridoo, dulcimer, percussion and lap steel guitar.

During my interview with Jay and Chris I asked:

How did this album come about ?
Jay said, "John Edwards, a good friend of Chris's from his days in Darwin during the 80's, held a party at Goolwa to bring Chris and I and a couple of other musicians together. Chris and I hit it off on the night and we jammed together, and that is where the idea of us recording together, and "Off the Cuff" came into being.'

Later, in May 2014, John organised the memorable reunion performance when Chris and Jay performed at The Groove Garden at McLaren Vale. It was a sell-out show. During that gig they announced they would be recording a new album. There was immediate interest expressed by the crowd.

During a recent interview Jay said, "Spontaneity gives that creative edge to this album as we purposely didn't let each other hear the others songs before we got into the studio. We were constantly surprising each other as we were going along."

"Off the Cuff" has 15 tracks which are now in the final stages of recording and production. It is due for release in June 2015 if funding is successful (and possibly in early 2016 if not successful).

By pre-ordering the new album Off the Cuff through the Pozible Campaign, you actively support Chris and Jay in producing their album.

In conclusion:
Here is a wonderful opportunity to initiate an active role in helping two South Australian, independent musicians, Chris Finnen and Jay Hoad bring their album, Off the Cuff into being.

Corona Uprising Festival- Fiji

Our annual appearance at this awesome festival! We had Jim on trumpet and Brett on drums, along with a huge fantastic audience. Beautiful setting. Click the poster to see photos. We'll try to get some video up soon too!

  

Here's a link to a promo interview we did for the Fiji Broadcasting Company:

http://youtu.be/uV4D2-zWEaQ?t=17m9s

On The Road Again

Jay is working hard, as usual, but the bigger news is a new album in the works- a collaboration with guitar master Chris Finnen! More details to come..

Read the full article HERE. Check out the tour schedule for all Jay's dates.

Didgebling!

Jay Hoad. Australian. Didgeridoo master.

From his latest album, "Home Is Where The Heart Is"

Catch more of Jay's didgeridoo interspersed among blues, roots, love songs, horns, guitars and more. Available at all major download and streaming sites.

Tangaroa Blue

I've been proud to partner with the Tangaroa Blue Foundation and the Australian Marine Debris Initiative over the past several years to highlight the importance of protecting our oceans. Visit their web site for more information.

Jay with Jack Johnson supporting Tangaroa Blue in Melbourne

You can support Tangaroa Blue by purchasing Earth Music CDs directly from their web site. $5 from the sale of each Earth Music CD is donated to the Tangaroa Blue Foundation.

Baka Blues

There is a wealth of infused culture in Fiji if you know where to look!

Here I am with Jim performing in Fiji at Baka Blues, a jazz and blues club run by Paul and Stella Lawrence, a wonderful New Zealand expatriate couple. They've created a cool venue where local Fijian musicians as well as touring musicians (like us!) can perform the music we love for an ever growing and appreciative audience. See videos from this performance here and here.

Uprising Fiji

It's my third year in a row at this festival! It's always extra special to return and perform in my birth homeland. New this year I'll be touring with my trumpet player, Jim from North America. Can't wait to see everybody!

Fiji is also where I filmed my latest music video, Island Boy. Check it out!

Earth Music

Hot on the heels of releasing "Home Is Where The Heart Is", I've recorded and released something entirely different and unique! "Earth Music" is a completely instrumental album, with a modern New Age flavor.

This project is the result of a collaboration earlier this year (see HERE) with Pamela Gibson, aka "Yoga Pam". The audio tracks were recorded live in conjunction with her yoga class. No audio from the yoga class is on this CD, only music. We chose to record it like this to capture the essence of the improvised compositions as they developed to suit the “real time” yoga class.

Click the album image to see all of the cool album artwork. The album is available for purchase and download now. Let me know what you think!

Album Launch Show Upcoming!

I'm winding up the national "Home Is Where The Heart Is" tour by returning to my South Australian home for a grand finale show with my full band!

Click this link for tickets, however if you are local to the greater Adelaide area we'd like to get YOU involved with the publicity for this one. Do you want to help out and receive a FREE TICKET to the show? Just read below...

WHAT WE NEED FROM YOU
Basically we are trying to cover all major intersections and shop fronts with posters over the next 2 weeks. So if you are interested in helping out, all you need to do is message us on Facebook with the location you can cover, and you will be sent 25 posters to put up and a free ticket to the show.. Easy!

Island Boy!

Video from the new LP, created and filmed in Jay's homeland Fiji.
Featuring Fijian artist "Knox" and available in HD!

 

Check out Jay's Triple J page to grab a free mp3 download of Island Boy!

New Album - Official Release!

The album is now available through our website and at the purchase links below (the only place you can buy the hardcopy CD!!) or through iTunes (digital download only). The artwork on the new album is insane and the CD includes a cool two-sided poster. Thanks again for your support everyone!

WORLDWIDE        IN AUSTRALIA        WORLDWIDE

Second Free Download From the New Album

That makes two singles at our Triple J Page that are now available for free download, limited time only. Click below to get them!

The new single is "Ain't Gonna Get No Love From Me", which features me in a duet with Shalane Connors from Siskin River. If you like these tracks please remember to rate and review them on my Triple J Page; every bit of public support helps! The official LP release announcement is coming soon!

Sea & Vines Festival

Come out to McLaren Vale for a special performance by the Jay Hoad Band on June 10th. Click here for more info about the festival.

New Album Artwork

And now for the grand unveiling of the new album art for "Home Is Where The Heart Is", which will be released worldwide on May 5. Artwork once again by the fabulous award winning Australian illustrator James Fosdike

Click the image to see the rest of the artwork! Special bonus: the actual physical CD will also include a large two sided poster, with the artwork on one side and a photo collage of Jay with all the album lyrics on the other side.

New Single, Free Download

Come and get it. In anticipation of next month's release of the "Home Is Where The Heart Is" album we've made a preview single available for you on Triple J as a FREE DOWNLOAD. "Power Of The Rock" is currently at #10 on the Triple J Roots chart and you can help keep moving it up by listening to and/or downloading the track. Click HERE or on the Uluru photo below:

Update, April 12: The official music video was released today. Enjoy!

Port Fairy

The band finished up four exciting shows on a variety of stages at the 2013 Port Fairy Folk Music Festival. The festival was lovely, and we managed to get in a bit of surfing too! Big thanks to all the music lovers supporting us.

We received favorable reviews of our performances- "The Fijian-born performer was a crowd favourite with his ability to pull out and play new instruments for almost every song making him stand out from the crowd." Read more HERE.
See more photo highlights from our festival performances and adventures by clicking HERE, or on the photo above.

Yoga Groove

Now this was an awesome, magical experience! Big cheers to Yoga Pam in Robe for organizing it. I plan on doing more of these combined sessions, hopefully all over the country. A Yoga Groove CD could also be in the works- great for when I can't actually be there in person!

Saarang 2013

I traveled to Chennai, India where I rendezvoused with my manager and trumpet player Jim Miller to perform at the Saarang World Cultural Festival. We were also joined by the fantastic Indian drummer Yohan Marshall.

Click here or on the photo above to see more shots form this special adventure. We're looking forward to our next Indian tour!

Pre-Order My New Album

"Home Is Where The Heart Is" is now nearly completely recorded but there is still much more work to be done! We are now working on getting the album mixed, mastered, pressed and out to the masses, complete with incredible artwork and more love than you could ever imagine!

I have been proudly committed to staying completely independent throughout my career, even co-founding Walkaboutfish Records to give us the platform to independently release my music. This album is no different, except that it's our biggest and most ambitious project ever, and that is why we are asking for your help to get it off the ground. Click to pre-order and then please look at some of the extra incentives we've made available for you to be a part of this special project. Expected release date in early May 2013. Cheers!

More Upcoming Festivals

Check back for full details and official announcements!

Upcoming Festivals

Two great festivals next month! First we'll be in VIC for the Anglesea Music Festival and then over to SA for the Fleurieu Folk Festival.

Click the links for more info and keep checking my Facebook Fan Page where I'll be posting updates. Sweet!

Tour Mania

What a year it has been so far! Here I am on a pit stop, airing out a few of my instruments while I get in a bit of down time as I head back to SA. If you've been following along with my Tour Schedule you'll know how full on it's been.

Thanks heaps for all your support - I have some exciting announcements to make about upcoming special tour events for me and my band. Stay tuned to this blog, my website and Facebook for all the latest info!

Battle of the Sexes!

On Monday at the BankSA Sea and Vines Festival, sport stars and media personalities will fight for the title of bottling champions at d’Arenberg.

Bringing the girl power is champion Aussie netballer from Australian Netball Diamonds Natalie Medhurst, GLAM Adelaide guru Kelly Noble and the victorious florist from My Kitchen Rules, Leigh Sexton.

Stepping up to represent the boys are talented musician Jay Hoad, foodie about town and My Kitchen Rules contestant Paul Wood and returning champion from last year, McLaren Vale local Darren Bradley.

Each team is joined by a member of the crowd, chosen on the day.... and it could be you! And don't forget to see the full Jay Hoad Band in performance at the Sea and Vines Festival on both Sunday and Monday. Cheers!

Live Broadcast From Fiji

Tune in and watch Jay perform live from Fiji, today May 18!
Concert begins at 8pm, Fiji local time (GMT + 12)
(That's 4am for the East Coast of the USA and 5:30pm in South Australia)

From WA to SA

Wow, what a great musical adventure over Western Australia! Hope to soon post a few video and photo highlights. Already planning a return tour to WA so stay tuned for details. Check out the updated tour schedule for my shows around South Australia this month. Also just found this video of Womadelaide highlights from Our World Today which I thought I'd share here for you.

Womadelaide Week!

We're looking forward to a swell time this coming weekend at Womadelaide, the premiere world music festival! We'll be all over the festival with the highlight being a performance by the full 7-piece Jay Hoad Band on Saturday at 3pm. Interested? Get your tickets HERE and come hang out with us.

UPDATE: View photos of our WOMAD performance HERE

Fringe Festival 2012

The full Jay Hoad Band will be in performance at the Spiegel Tent for the opening night of the Fringe Festival on February 24th!   GET TICKETS

And then stay tuned for a followup Fringe Festival show with the full band at the Crown & Sceptre on March 17th.  GET TICKETS

Gov Show Photos

While we await and prepare the next feature band shows at Womadelaide and the Fringe Festival have a look at these awesome photos from our annual concert at The Gov last month:

These photos are courtesy of Jes, RipItUp magazine and bjwok.com

Jay reunites with Chris Finnen!

This coming Saturday! Read more about this epic pairing at Music SA.
Check out these photos from our last show together in April 2010.

Click the poster to see the full-size version. Get your tickets HERE

Big Show at the Gov

It's never too early to start promoting something like this! We're returning to The Gov for an encore performance and those of you that were there last year know how epic this will be! Stay tuned for further details. Get tickets HERE

Fiji Tour - Uprising Festival

Jay Hoad is the featured festival artist! Click Poster to see larger.

New CD Now Available

Jay's new LP is now available at iTunes Australia!

On My Way To WA

In the middle of the desert somewhere at the moment! Very much looking forward to this tour of WA. Hoping to catch up with old friends and make a few new fans. Love to see you at a show!

• Wed Oct 5th - Indi Bar - 8pm
  with very special guests Rose Parker and Maera Paki
• Thu Oct 6th - Bakery - 8pm
  with very special guests Rose Parker and Lucy Peach
• Fri Oct 7th - Leapfrogs Cafe Restaurant - 6pm (Acoustic Show) 
• Sat Oct 8th - Leapfrogs Cafe Restaurant - 6pm (Acoustic Show)
• Sun Oct 9th - Newport - 6pm
• Mon Oct 10th - The Bird - 9pm (Acoustic Show)

• Thu Oct 13th - Settlers Tavern - 8.30
• Fri Oct 14th - Dunsborough Hotel - 8.30
• Sat Oct 15th - Prince Of Wales - 9pm
• Sun Oct 16th - Gnarabar - 5pm

Martin Ambassador

We are very excited to announce that the good folks at Martin Guitars will be featuring some of the amazing pictures of Jay's custom shop Martin Guitar on location at Uluru, Australia over the next few months.
Click HERE or on the photo below to view the entire lot!

'Sista' - Official Video Released Worldwide

Fresh on the heals of the Video Launch concert last week, the 'Sista" music video is now available for viewing and streaming. A few more music videos are currently in the works so a DVD might be in order soon. Stay tuned!


A lot of hard work went into this project and I'd like to thank everybody who participated. For best viewing pleasure watch this HD video at 720p resolution at full screen. Then if you enjoy it please repost and share it everywhere!

Central Australia Tour Announced

Click the poster image for large version! 

Full tour schedule with links to all performance venues available HERE
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"Sista" Video Clip Launch

The full six piece band will be performing our first show in South Australia since the sold out Gov show this past January. We'll be premiering the video for “Sista” at Glenelg Surf Life Saving Club at 3pm on Sunday August 7th. "Sista" was written whilst touring through Atlantic City, NJ on the East Coast leg of the 2010 North American tour. The song was inspired by a hooker we witnessed fighting with a bum for a place to sleep for the night, but you will have to hear the song and see the video to find out the rest of the story!

"Sista" is track #10 on my new album "Stories For The Soul". Look for the world wide video release at our YouTube channel coming up after the concert.

Live world-wide radio stream upcoming

Very excited to be heading back to the lovely 3D radio studio this Saturday to play some new material with some of my best mates. The divine miss Ria Loof will be joining me on vocals and the well-known Mitch of Poetikool Justice fame will be joining me on percussion for the first time ever!

This two hour show takes place Saturday night from 9pm - 11pm, South Australia local time.

For those on the East Coast of the USA you should tune in between 7:30am and 9:30am on Saturday morning. Get up early for a nice brekky with me!

Two choices for the live internet stream: available here or here

New Australia Tour

I'm back in Australia, ready to share tales with you from my time on the road! A heap of shows have been scheduled throughout the South Australia region starting this month.

Highlights include a welcome back show at The Highway in Plympton this Wednesday and an extra special appearance at the Sea & Vines Festival next month.

Look HERE for the full tour schedule. Come out and welcome a mate back home! Stay tuned for more special updates to come.

Special Delaware Show Upcoming

Didgeridoo!

Have a look at this video from the band's recent CD release concert in South Australia. It's full on Didgeridoo!

Fringe Festival 2011

It's a busy time about Adelaide during the Fringe Festival and mates from the US touring version of the band are in town to help out! Here's what's going for the next 11 days - love to see you at some of these special shows! Click the poster above for more info.

• 2/24 - The Exeter (Exeter)
  
• 2/25 - The Oriental (Norwood)
  
• 2/26 - Bay Bar Dos (Glenelg, afternoon show)
  
• 2/26 - Crown & Sceptre (Fringe Festival show)
• 2/27 - Seacliff Beach (Seacliff)
  
• 2/28 - The Jetty (Glenelg)
  
• 3/3 - The Haus (Hahndorf)
  
• 3/4 - Komodo (Fringe Festival show)
• 3/5 - Komodo (Fringe Festival show)
• 3/6 - Red Poles Winery (McLaren Vale)

New CD - First Single Released!

"Windy Creek" - FREE download for our fans!

"Windy Creek" is now available as a single exclusively at Triple J, Australia's national radio station and for a limited time I've made it available directly to you. All we're asking in return is for you to have a listen and then leave a comment on the Triple J web site - and then tell all your friends! Click below to be taken to the download page:

"Stories For The Soul" will be released in Australia at our CD Launch Concert later this month, with worldwide release to follow soon.

New Eco-Friendly Organic Gear

We've been revamping the on-line web store and are proud to be making a complete "green" transition. Our organic shirts feature several new designs to coincide with the upcoming CD release of "Stories For The Soul". There's heaps of other new merchandise available too so click below to check it all out. Cheers!

Fiji Tour

Check out this two-page spread that appeared in the Fiji Times in anticipation of my tour there next month!
(Click the image for a full resolution view):

I am truly excited to be returning to my birthplace for this special tour. Read the Fiji Times articles here and here to find out more about my early childhood in Fiji.

Upcoming

Hello Australia!

Welcome back a mate who has been touring out of the country for nearly four months! There will be a heap of special shows this time around, including several mini-tours around the country as we continue to expand our horizons. And stay tuned for the release of the new CD, which has been in the works for nearly a year!