Chris Gillespie (Guitar, Harmonica, vocals) Matthew Luciano - (Guitar, resonator, mandolin, harmony vocals) Matthew's classical guitar playing abilities were recognized early on. At the tender age of 8, the child prodigy was awarded the 'Northern Beaches Young Musical Achievements Award' 1991 (NBYMAA) and was subsequently extended a scholarship. After 3 years of intense training with Andreas Segovia, and several years of concert performances throughout Europe, Matthew now resides in Sydney as one of the 'Wandering Hands'.
Ben Hazlett - (Double Bass, harmony vocals, percussion) Ben's songwriting abilities and vocal harmonies are second to none. Originating from 90's cult acoustic band 50a, word on the street is that Ben has been affected by a new wave of inspiration. Many people have attempted to put Ben's work in a box, saying his short Australian films were too short and too cliche'd Australian ("it's all about yer mates..." etc.), but to no avail. He continues to shock, inspire and challenge. He is free wheeling, free to roam, worry free, fretless, upright and deep in the juju.
Clair Wenborn - Clair is classically trained and follows closely the pursuit of her passion. She has spent several years perfecting her craft through many hard times. She often thought of giving up her dream. 'Giving up' is no longer part of her vocabulary. 'Do not fear mistakes, there are none' Miles Davis said. Clair has now finally reached a high level of perfection in her home brewing art. She now brews a truly divine, full flavoured indian pale ale, stout, lager and more. She also plays banjo and guitar with the Wandering Hands. She's really good at that too. BELOW IS THE WANDERING HANDS PLAYING AUTUMN WINDS @ FRINGE BAR (WATCH IN HD FOR BETTER SOUND QUALITY...)
The Autumn winds can carry me away
Coz I'm tired of the things I have to face today
The Autumn Winds can carry me along
Lose me in the mountain range
So they can say I've gone...
I'll find rest in the mountains blue
Far away from you
Where my body lie
Becoming part of the ground
Forever looking at the sky
And to finally be still
And let passers pass me by
And be on their way
For there's only one place
Where I'm gonna stay today
Undisturbed and finished
I'll lie throughout the day
While people eat and drink in town
Three kilometres away
They don't know about me
This is where i died
All they care about
Is finishing their cigarette
So they can get back inside...
Influences
Robert Johnson, Bob Dylan, Charlie Parker, Erik Satie, Ry Cooder, Paul Kelly, Pink Floyd
Deep, deep in the forest live the vehicles of folk noir....."Chris Gillespie tells stories of everyday Australian expieriences, unrequited love, dogs and the cockatoo that owns the M2, all delivered with a bit of a country storytelling feel you might associate with Jeff Lang's vibe and an Australian singing accent akin to that of Darren Hanlon or Paul Kelly.The music is a perfectly relaxed acoustica, with excellent space created for the suspense and emotion that comes through in the songs. Nice mandolin, slide guitar, harmonica and sparse backing vocals all help to create this space and the sort of feel that many artists could learn from.
- Glen Mcvey ('The Stix' magazine)
"Chris Gillespie sings about the displacement of cockatoos, global warming and renewable energies. He's a fingerpickin, harmonica playing troubadour. He might even be Sydney's answer to Bob Dylan..."
- Dave Regos (FBi Radio 94.5 FM)
"Chris Gillespie is a unique Australian voice painting local landscapes with mirth and melancholy. His gentle vocals overlay fine fingerpicking textures that draw you into the stories. Gillespie's band, 'The Wandering Hands' play with sensitivity to his purpose laying haunting beds over which his yarns are spun"
- Fred Smith
"His songs have a freshness and simplicity about them that makes him stand out from the mass of singer/songwriters out there."
- Malcom Fielding (92.1 FM Hobart Radio)
"Bringing a little class to the evening Chris Gillespie and his Wandering Hands in usual form as the true troubadours of Sydney music. I personally just love this guy. I want to keep him in my pocket so he can give me guidance during the day. I Loved 'The Road to Tamworth' and the song about breaking someone's arm."
- Maxine Kauter
"Fucking insane... like the Richard Brautigan of folk...well done!"
-Johnathon Leonard -
"Chris Gillespie & The Wandering Hands have fast become the darlings of the national folk and roots scene. With standout performances in 2008 at the Blue Mountains Music Festival and the National Folk Festival, Gillespie style has won over audiences with both its honesty and simplicity" -Matt Ellis (The Ellis Collective)
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Rate us on Triple J Unheard. Click the link above, then click 'rate' on any or all the songs you like. If you don't do it, it won't make any difference anyway coz Triple J Unearthed is pretty vague to say the least.
Chris Gillespie & The Wandering Hands's Friend Space (Top 24)
Chris Gillespie & The Wandering Hands has 567 friends.
Good to have you as a friend! So great to see the internet in action this way, shortening distances between people.
I hope all's well with you and that you enjoy checking out my web site some time.
For occasional, new, refreshing, insightful and (possibly?!) valuable content, I encourage you to sign up for my free newsfeed/email newsletter (using the form on site at page right - high quality, low quantity, no spam!).
You might enjoy watching some of my films (use the on screen controls to skip between them):
Aven Romale: 'Come On Gipsies' - that's the name of our song at the Eurovision Song Contest 2009, which takes place in Moscow. Come on board! Come on Gipsies!
Nick, Julia and I were talking about you the other night while driving home from Sydney after seeing STRAY CATS!!
We were saying how we hadn't heard from you in so long! What's been happening man, fill me in so I can fill everyone else in and feel special because you talked to me and not them :-P
Hi Chris, I was kind of hoping of all the things you could do this Thursday that coming to see me play at el Rocco, Bar Me with Karl Broadie, Jason Walker and Leroy Lee from 7.30pm might be right up there on the list. Love and light, Andy
You've lorded it over me for long enough now, Gillespie. Finally I have uncovered the shamefaced truth of this here page. You've filled this thing so full of writing that you can quote people out of context without suffering any consequences. Well, congratulations, you've done a fine job.
hey Chris, Unnatural light is a fantastic song. I love the production of it with that electric guitar in the background? Gives it heaps of depth. Check out Chagalls @ the jolly frog this friday if your free. Cheers mate!
Hi Chris, just been enjoying your tunes. Nice to meet you the other night although I think I was mute in a fog of fatigue, which the next day led me to knock a guitar onto my noggin in Mountain Music.
(yes,,, M&M's have two m's so by chocolate standards so should committee. This is possibly a flawed theory though).
Goodness me btw, that wishful thinking might just get you turfed out by the M.M.C.A.S.T.L.M’s..... You do realise you'll only last about 6months down there before you can't handle it anymore and head up for some clouds to avoid the sniff of maccas over the tracks :P.
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