A long and overdue catch up with warm greetings to all!

Things have been a little busy around the Mal Eastick camp so far this year, which commenced with Mal playing two memorable shows at the Thredbo Blues Festival in January. He also conducted a blues guitar clinic there which attracted over 125 people.

The next couple of months saw Mal and his band, vocalist John Makey, bassist Ian Lees & drummer Rudy Miranda, play select shows to the north and south of Sydney. These are the guys who co-wrote and recorded with Mal on his gem album “Spirit”.

In March, Mal was honoured to be one of four nationally-renowned guitarists selected to feature different styles both individually and together in a show called “Guitarama” at Sydney’s exclusive venue The Basement.

In April, Mal spent some wonderful time with his young boys Aaron & Morgan as well as generally doing what musicians do.

May saw Queensland’s inaugural Cairns Blues Festival which had Mal and his band take a quick trip to the far north for what turned out to be another one of those “You should have been there” shows. Needless to say Mal has been invited back to play at next year’s festival.

After a couple of weeks off back home, a little more practice and more than a few coffees the boys were back to the airport on May 29 heading for another great festival, Blues On Broadbeach on Queensland’s Gold Coast. Mal played at this festival in ’06 and ’07 as special guest with his friend Kevin Borich, but this year was Mal’s first time playing the festival with his own band. Chosen to headline the Friday evening, Mal delivered a monumental performance to several thousand blues enthusiasts who battled the wet and windy conditions until the conclusion of one of his signature pieces, “Lenny”, a beautiful instrumental written by the late great Texan bluesman Stevie Ray Vaughan. After that track the band and their audience had to duck for cover fast as the rain took over the headliner position at a 45 degree angle.

Saturday morning Mal flew back to Sydney to pack the bags and fly to WA the following day to do a show for each of the Perth, Albany & Bunbury Blues Clubs. Many thanks to all involved, all three clubs are so welcoming and hospitable and the gigs were sensational.

Straight after the Bunbury gig Mal hit the road back to Perth airport for the 6am plane back to Sydney to play with his band that very night as one of the leading acts at the 2nd Gosford Blues Festival. The promoters were more than satisfied with the numbers, showing blues music is alive and well and possibly stronger than ever.

The second week in June saw Mal head to northern NSW to play 3 all-instrumental shows as special guest with his mate Phil Emmanuel at clubs in Lismore, Grafton & Laurieton. Mal won much praise from those attending and his after-show CD sales were huge.

On Sunday June 28 Mal and his band return to Beaches Hotel at Thirroul in the north of Wollongong, which is one of Mal’s favourite areas to play in on this continent.

Coming up in October Mal is thrilled to be playing at Narooma Blues Festival on the Saturday evening. It has been many years since he played this legendary event. Mal just may have something special for this gig that will have the place jumping. Don’t miss the show.

Mal and the band are set to play at the party of the South West Blues Club in Bunbury Western Australia, which goes to show that Mal’s recent gig there must have been a beauty. From all accounts those on the East Coast will read about this big party night soon after.

Other dates appear on the Tour Dates section of the web site.

Since Mal’s illness he has shown his commitment to this long and sometimes painful journey reinstating his mark in our music. Sincere thanks to you the dedicated music lover for your encouragement, support and faith in him over the years.

RADIO INTERVIEW – Adelaide’s Coast FM – 88.7 with Rob Horsell

On June 30th 2012 Mal Eastick was invited to be on Adeliade’s Coast FM-88.7 as presented by Rob Horsell. The interview asks Mal some very candid questions of his vast and dedicated musical career through the years and up to the present day. We have included this exclusive interview in four parts.

Our special thanks and appreciation to Rob Horsell and Adelaide’s Coast FM

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4