River Bigby’s first musical experience was as a 14-year-old in a hardcore metal group with his mates in southwest Queensland. River recalls that the band would jam together with guitar, drums and a microphone connected to a small 10-watt amp. ‘One day I just jumped up, grabbed the mic and started screaming,’ he says. ‘It…

Claire Anne grew up in Milabena, a rural locality near Wynyard on the edge of the Tarkine region in north-west Tasmania. Her home was a beautiful barn-style home on a 50-acre property with rainforest as the backyard. Along with her five creative and imaginative siblings, Claire Anne was always encouraged to follow her musical passions.…

Originally from Victoria, Teresa Dixon lived and played music around Melbourne and Phillip Island before moving to the Huon Valley four years ago. A qualified teacher, she has worked here as a youth worker and part-time musician. Teresa met her partner Marcus at Willie Smith’s Mid-Winter Festival, where her band The Stragglers were performing. ‘I’ve…

Dan Rawlings grew up in Frankston Victoria and played drums in various Melbourne bands. He later picked up a guitar and started an acoustic folk duo with his musical sister. As Turtle and Fox, they played together for five years. ‘Our father was a self-taught musician and our house was always full of music,’ Dan…

Jethro Pickett is a Cygnet-based musician and producer. He’s softly spoken – but still waters can run deep. ‘I started my musical journey as a ten-year-old, taking lessons in bass at Wilmot near Devonport,’ Jethro says. ‘Then my teacher started a kids’ band and I was hooked.’ Jethro lives in a desirable waterfront location, with…

Anne Toner started playing the piano at a very young age, first listening to her older sister learning, then copying her. An accomplished pianist and vocalist, she began song writing in 2002 when she moved to Tasmania. ‘Something opened up for me, something about the place and the space, the creative juices really began to…