Australian act Hussy Hicks today (18 April) have released the soul-drenched new single ‘Get Ready’, ahead of their Bluesfest appearances (19, 22 April) this weekend.
Recently celebrating a Queensland Music Award, two Golden Guitar noms (Julz Parker produced the first, 100 per cent female-created album in Australian country music) and four 2019 Gold Coast Music Award nominations, this single marks the first release since Hussy Hicks’ album 'On The Boundaries'.
"This is the first song in 12 years completely recorded, engineered and produced by the band,” lead singer Leesa Gentz says.
"'Get Ready' also features our new drummer Ali Foster and long-time bass player Tracy Stephens, finally making us a legit girl band!
"And given that the song is about moving forward in terms of equality, we’re really talking the talk and walking the walk."
Here, Hussy Hicks share five of their favourite, inspirational female guitarists.
1. Bonnie Raitt
For me, Bonnie has always been perfect: perfect approach, perfect tone and a perfect style of music to let the guitar sing through. Larkin Poe and Susan Tedeschi internationally carry this torch and locally Minnie Marks is really sliding into some beautiful tones.2. Sister Rosetta Tharpe
She took the acoustic blues tradition and electrified it, energised it and took it to church. Australia's Fiona Boyes, for me, is one of the truest players in this style. Then there are women like Ana Popovich and Sam Fish who have added a bit more rock grunt in their interpretations.3. Jennifer Batten
Eight finger tapping and rocking out stadium solos with Michael Jackson. Her lineage is in good hands with Orianthi (who had the MJ gig just before his death) and locally our Lecia Louise can don the Leather pants and shred out on a PRS with the best of them.4. Joni Mitchell
Joni is a bit of an unsung guitar hero, but her unique tunings and approach inspired a whole different school of players.I guess a bit of a female trail to follow from Joni would be Ani DiFranco who took those tunings and added attack and attitude; while Kaki King inspired a whole, new swath of modern guitarists with the percussive approach.
Locally, check out Tullara; her tunes really explore this way of playing.
5. Gabriela Quintero (Rodrigo y Gabriela)
Her super percussive and rhythmic right hand took flamenco sensibilities and brought them to huge stages, playing to rock and dance music fans alike.No offence to Paco, but RyG kinda got a whole bunch of non-flamenco kids to see how much fun you can have on a nylon string. I see guitarists jamming all over the world in this style having an absolute ball, from festivals to busking in town squares.
Locally, Felicity Lawless has a right hand you can drink the hell out of some sangria to.
