Noel Gardner – Biography
There’s a Cat Stevens song that goes, “if I ever lose my eyes, if my colours all run dry…..”
If I ever lost my eyes, it would be Noel Gardner’s songs that I would want to listen to – to remember how beautiful our
part of the world is, to picture the features of our landscape and the creatures that live here.
I’d also be able to catch up on the political news – ‘cos if there’s an issue worth talking about, Noel’s probably written
a song about it. Songs that let you think, without needing to toughen up inside. He’d also be the man I’d listen to, to
find out how our government is treating indigenous people, and anyone else who doesn’t fit the mainstream mould.
Noel’s song ‘Refugee’ won second place in the 2004 Australian Songwriters Awards Acoustic Category.
In 2005, he won first place in the Lyrics Category for “Stolen Children”. That’s the song he sang to 5000
people at Brisbane’s Sorry Day concert in 1998. He’s also been a finalist in “Song of The Year”. See what I mean?
As Judy Small (Australia’s own political folk diva) says “Noel Gardner speaks and sings softly but don’t be fooled.
This is a man with important things to say”. His “Happy Song” has also made the finalists in the 2005 Musiccoz Awards.
Noel is the only solo performer to have performed at every one of the 18 Maleny/Woodford Folk Festivals – and his music
is as fresh and relevant now as it was in 1989, when he teamed up with Mark Gillett to record the iconic
“Watching the Obi Flow’ (the very same platypus-friendly Obi Creek that’s about to be inundated by a Woolworths
shopping development - so of course Noel’s written a song - Autumn in Maleny - for the protest). His capacity to sing of
both beauty and injustice is a refreshing reminder to keep thinking about what kind of world we want to live in – and what
kind of world we want our kids to inherit from us. He is widely respected for his stylish guitar playing and emotive
lyrics, some of which are inscribed on a painting of Mt Coolum that hangs in the foyer of The Nambour Civic Centre.
And he practices what he preaches. Noel has been a long time environmental activist on the Sunshine Coast, and in
1994 was awarded Life Membership of the Sunshine Coast Environment Council for his contribution to the
environment through his music. Now that’s an award to be proud of.
Noel has now released 3 CDs over the past 10 years, and all of them are polished, elegant representations of his
work - delicate production, warm voices, sensitive instrumentation. A joy to listen to.
In concert, Noel is delightfully understated. I don’t think he has much time for the notion of glamour
- and it’s a welcome relief. Over the years, Noel has played supports for folks like Christy Moore, Paul Kelly,
Kev Carmody, Judy Small, Judith Durham, Vin Garbutt and Kristina Olsen, Shane Howard & Neil Murray.
No-one else would have been a better choice.
He gets regular airplay on ABC Coast FM and other discerning stations around the country.
He has been called Australia’s Pete Seeger, and the Sunshine Coast’s Paul Kelly – and like them, he is probably only
appreciated fully by a small proportion of the general population. But that proportion is an important and growing
one, and graces Australia’s national folk festival circuit. If you’re planning a festival program –
Noel will do the job for you, and do it with an enthusiastic spirit and a warm heart.
Noel’s new CD “Walking This Land” was released in late 2005.
Maree Robertson – Brisbane 2005
Alex Bridge – Biography
Perth born Alex Bridge has sung traditional, contemporary and world folksong over many years in a number of a cappella harmony
groups - Sweet Mermaids From Hell / Soundscape / The Wantons and The Stingers and Darwin’s renowned –
No Strings Attached, with whom she performed at The National Folk Festival in Kuranda in 1990.
She is currently a member of Maleny’s a cappella groups - Work in Progress & Fine Cotton.
Alex has recorded with No Strings Attached on the Top End Folk Club CD "Roll Back the Years" (1992) as well Noel’s
C.D. “Walking This Land”. As well as providing stunning harmonies in concert with Noel Alex plays bass and percussion.
In 2004 Noel and Alex performed at The Yagubi Folk Festival in Hervey Bay, The Top Half Festival in Darwin and
Woodford Folk Festival. In 2005 they played at Woodford Tree Planting as well as folk clubs & venues around S.E. Qld.
Toodjay Folk Club W.A.and The Palm Creek Folk Festival in Townsville as well as the Australian Songwriters Association’s
Awards night in Sydney.
CD. REVIEWS - Every track on this album covers new territory – whether through lyrical content or musical influence.
His lyrics and music appear soaked in the natural elements and landscape of Australia, inspired by the history and
ability to instigate positive change. ………
As a far- reaching music fan and strong advocate for political transparency, I was thrilled to discover that “Walking This Land”
is one of the most informed and honest assessments of Australian identity I have come across.
Andrew Mcbride – Tsunami Music Magazine reviewer - 2006
Noel’s music is tuneful, and his musical style borrows from a variety of genres.…. But the grass roots themes equally remind me of the
long tradition of activism in song, evident in the work of American folkies Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger, and the early work of Bob
Dylan..…. The songs on the albums are all solid well-crafted material, each with its own message, subtle, or not so subtle.
They present strong messages in a velvet glove of music. ……. Solid musical backing helps to move the music beyond mere folk music.
If you like to hear passionate stories about important social and environmental issues, Noel is definitely one man that you
should be listening to. - Alan Gilmour - Australian Songwriters Association Inc. - April 2006
Central to Noel’s music is how he writes about the land. Like a painter he draws lines on a page, but the lines are words, and
the colours and textures are the melodies, rhythms and musical arrangements of the songs. -
Ann Birmingham – Brisbane Folk Rag
Some words about Noel and his music:
“The sound of Noel’s voice and music has been an inspiration for many people throughout the life of the Maleny
and Woodford Folk Festivals. His rich, heartfelt vocals and wry sense of humour create inspiring performances.
His music touches audiences over many age groups” – Bill Hauritz - Woodford Folk Festival Director
“Noel’s music has the ability to take us there, walk the beaches, hear the surf, and touch our hearts”
Angela Mackay - Brisbane Folk Rag
“Noel started his set with new words to Advance Australia Fair which was most amusing, but sadly true.
Many of Noel’s songs contain political comments but also demonstrate a fine sense of the ridiculous.
As the saying goes, there’s many a true word spoken in jest”
Julie Dendle - Brisbane Folk Rag
“Your voices and harmonies were so beautiful they sent shivers up my spine “ – Palm Creek Festival
“ your voices have a genetic quality – a stunning blend “ Madd Ass Folk Club
“Thank you Noel for your contribution to our Quality of Life on the Sunshine Coast. Your songs and music
will outlive us all”. Des Ritchie - President- Queensland Folk Federation - Sunshine Coast Environment Council
“A man with important things to say” – Judy Small
Songwriting Awards:
Song - Stolen Children : First place in the 2005 Australian Songwriters Awards ‘Lyrics’ Category
Song - Refugee : Second place in the 2004 Australian Songwriters Awards ‘Coffee Shop’ Category
Song – Happy Song : Finalist in the 2005 Musicoz Awards ‘Folk Category”.
CD-Fraser: Finalist 2000 QLD Recording Association “Sunnie” Awards – ‘Folk & Ethnic Music’ Category
Songs - Humpback Whale and Fraser: 2000 Recording Association “Sunnie” Awards - both nominated for best song
CD -Justice and Pride : Finalist 1995 QLD Recording Association “Sunnie” Awards – ‘Folk & Ethnic Music’
CategorySong - Leaving My Homeland : 1993 Black Opal International Songwriting Competition - Top Ten (#6)
For further info. - www.noelgardner.com - Phone - 07 - 54942121 / 0428459615
info@noelgardner.com
30 Watson Lane Reesville Qld. Australia 4522