Ahead of his appearance with vocalists Vika and Linda Bull at The Gum Ball Festival in April, I spoke with Melbourne blues/rock singer-songwriter Ash Grunwald about a new album, touring and 2012.

Looks like the weather isn't going to stop Brisbane's Laneway from going ahead, and rest assured music-goers will get their thrills from an array of amazing talents at this year's summer festivals! Here'e the latest festival news:

The burning sun and heat inside the tent told me it was time to get up and get going for day number two of Pyramid Rock. It was a beautiful day on sunny Phillip Island and the breeze off the ocean made for perfect festival conditions.

Ash Grunwald brought the blues to the Hi Fi, along with The Grains, Haldane's Daughters and some super-surf photography by Sean Scott. Erin Smith was there to bring you these photos.

Are you ready to rock this New Year’s season? Because the PYRAMID ROCK FESTIVAL sure as hell are!

Singer/Songwriter Beau Young opened up the night with a solo acoustic performance that definitely had a Ben Harper vibe to it. Beau is a nice country boy who normally writes children's songs in his barn on the farm, but tonight he gets a chance to play to a much older crowd showing off some of his talents as a songwriter. His songs were great and really suited the vibe of an Ash Grunwald show.

On Thursday night at The Rose Hotel in Sydney, as the rain bucketed down, a select few were invited to enjoy the sweet sounds of Ash Grunwald, the ambassador for the new Guinness Live Thursdays project, which will see one up-and-coming Australian musician flown to Dublin for Arthur's Day!

To celebrate Arthur’s Day, Guinness Austrakua today announces the launch of an eight-week nationwide search to find Australia’s best quality live music. The campaign entitled Guinness Live Thursdays, is celebrating craftsmanship in music and hopes to find Australia’s next up and coming band, who will represent Australia at the Global Arthur’s Day celebrations in Dublin, Ireland.

Sydney Blues & Roots Festival announces spectacular first line-up!
Jeff Lang, Ash Grunwald & Jeff Martin confirmed to headline three-day event from 28th-30th October

With his latest album, Hot Mama Vibes, going gangbusters (Patrick Donovan at the Sydney Morning Herald said, “By helping the blues evolve, Grunwald is carrying on R.L.Burnside's legacy” which is no wordage to sneeze at), Melbourne roots-rocker Ash Grunwald has just completed his sixth Bluesfest run.

ASH GRUNWALD SOLO SHOWS - NSW