TOMBOI RECORDS presents BENEDICT w/ special guests - KRISTAL WEST & HOLY BASIL.
This night will showcase Women, POC & gender diverse artists on Turrbal/Jagera land in Meanjin. Each artist brings their own powerful experiences from their cultures and communities. As they continue to speak loudly for equality in each of their communities they will not just be singing their stories but they will be sharing their stories on stage. A night not to be missed. Come and celebrate with these phenomenal artists in a safe space for all.
BENEDICT - Hailing from Melbourne, Australia, Pop-alt artist, songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist Benedict translates experiences of heartbreak, love, social observation and justice into their melodic artistry. Echoing a sound that falls in-between the lines of Kate Bush and Prince, the singer is soon to send waves worldwide. Growing up in a musical atmosphere, this Australian born artist eschewed a regular childhood in pursuit of mastering multiple instruments. Nurtured by their mother, a gifted musician and singer herself, Benedicts’ journey as a prolific songwriter started at the ripe age of five years old.
Deepening their understanding and curiosity for musical paradigms, Benedict cut their teeth on some of the greats. Delving into the storytelling and social advocate work of Joan Baez. Taking inspiration from the iconic David Bowie’s musical transformations. Being mesmerised by the jaw-dropping vocals and performances of Michael Jackson, Janis Joplin, Freddie Mercury and many more. These all helped shape the cornerstones of Benedict’s own sirenic vocal stylings and writing.
In between music, Benedict has spent time working with youth and communities. One of their most challenging times was spent on the frontline working as a prison guard. It broke their heart watching, as they named them, “the forgotten people” from an everyday community be let down by the system. The pain. Their stories. As a humanitarian and a person who is passionate about equality and social justice, their desire runs even deeper to be a voice for all who aren’t heard! All communities. All people.
Benedict writes their songs purely inspired by heartbreak, love, social observation and justice within our society today. These lived experiences translate into their deeply authentic art. Layered with haunting sirenic vocals and crisp pulsating melodies, Benedict has a nostalgic 80s/90s pop influence through their sound. Their gracious vocals robustly explode with such ease. After many years writing and touring their own musical projects, as well as, time spent working behind the scenes developing, producing and collaborating with other artists. Benedict took time out in 2016, sequestered away in a cabin in the mountains, writing and honing in on their new sound. Benedict has hit the ground running sharing their new powerhouse music worldwide.Already with incredible write ups from the likes of renowned music bloggers and online mags TONEDEAF, Rollingstone Australia, Earmilk and Music Feeds. As well as landing a sync for their remixed version of their song WARZONE on the Sex Lives Of College Girls Season 2, Benedict is already making their mark.
KRISTAL WEST -
Kristal West is a proud Meriam, Nywaigi, Manbarra and Palawa woman with a passion for culture and identity. She is granddaughter to the legendary First Nations land rights activist, Dr. Eddie Mabo, who campaigned for ten years to eventually have the legal doctrine of terra nullius overturned. Kristal is heavily influenced by her grandparents and strives to capture the stories of her bloodlines through music. She has recently showcase at Bigsound, Clancestry and more. Additionally, Kristal won a Qld Music Award prized at $15,000 which will be used to support releasing in 2025
HOLY BASIL -
Hailing from the sun-kissed shores of Kombumerri Country, Gold Coast, 'Holy Basil’ merges elements of Electronic, Ethereal and the dramatic flair of Musical Theatre into her signature genre, “Theatronic.”
Debuting with her single ‘Over The Edge’ in March 2024 while touring the USA, Holy Basil has quickly captured the attention of audiences across Europe and the States with releases like ‘The Outside.’
Inspired by iconic artists like Björk, Kate Bush, Grimes and David Bowie, her live performances are uniquely captivating— a stunning fusion of performance art, immersive soundscapes, and captivating narratives that breathe life into Lore and Mythology.
MAJELEN -
If you asked Majelen what her music sounds like, she’d say it’s something that might come about if Ani DiFranco met Ed Sheeran; acoustic doof doof for romantic nomads.
Stories of global adventure and love shared by Majelen and her wife, as they travel Australia in their bus… with their dog and their cat. Of course.
��Trained at the Conservatorium of Music majoring in Jazz Guitar, Majelen’s acoustic sounds are the foundation of her music. Through creating her own unique playing style, utilising her right hand for both the chordal and drumming aspects of her sound, Majelen creates energy and rhythm on-stage in a manner never really seen before.
Majelen is endorsed by Australian guitar makers Cole Clark Guitars and is currently in the process of creating her own signature series ‘Majelen’ model Cole Clark, based on the modifications she has made to her own instrument.
Her rhythmic technique combined with thought-provoking lyrics and beautiful melody create a joy-filled, and uplifting listening experience.
Majelen's first studio album, recorded at Abbey Road Studios London, is being released throughout 2024, distributed through Virgin/Universal Music Group via WorldSound and her own Australian based label, Liondance Records.
After touring extensively throughout 2023 and early 2024 across the UK, Europe and the USA, Majelen is looking forward to performing further around Australia throughout the remainder of 2024 and into 2025.
Tomboi Records & Benedict respectfully acknowledges the Turrubul, Jagera peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the land which this show will be held. They recognise that sovereignty over the land has never been ceded, and pay respects to the Elders past, present and emerging. We extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
https://events.humanitix.com/benedict?fbclid=IwY2xjawF-sWVleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHeabt80e9KcWiTAAXre-D1B7dUMuYiZcLgTM_Y4w-6uaBF_Sg8FH3yhlGQ_aem_qDP8ZITA8vtiBDCfCRrDng