Jesse Sheehan, Sean Kirkwood & Emily Forbes

Overview

Jesse Sheehan was the first solo artist in the competitions history to win the Smokefree Rockquest. Since then he has been relentlessly writing and gigging around New Zealand with new material that will form the basis of his Debut EP (due to come out later this year). His ever increasing body of work as a songwriter and performer are gaining him the interest of both Major and Minor labels who are putting forward offers, funding from NZ On Air for recording and video production, and high profile shows such as supporting Stan Walker at The Vector Arena at the end of last year. Jesse was also hand picked as one of eight New Zealand songwriters to feature at the 'Song Summit' international songwriters conference held in Sydney.

Sean Kirkwood is a Wellington musician that plays a mix of guitar and lap slide with a distinctive sound of alt-country blues. During his teen years while living in the Hawkes Bay he earned the opportunity to open for musical great, Eric Clapton. More recently he has shared the stage with Dan Green, Wyn Drabble, and New Zealand blues icon Darren Watson. Sean will be appearing alongside Jesse Sheehan and Emily Forbes at The Kings Arms in Auckland as part of his five date national winter tour including several appearances at the Bay of Islands International Jazz and Blues Festival.

Emilie Forbes is a young singer songwriter hailing from Wanganui, having studied full time musical theatre at Apollo theatre school in Auckland, she began to re-identify with her folk beginnings-the hippie clothes, show-off love of the stage and over a decade of piano lessons were finally put to good use as her years of "ideas" started to turn into songs, and her flatmates were forced to listen and comment on her almost nightly "home showcases". Almost a year on and her nightly shows continue but for larger audiences at various venues around Auckland. Having recently been sponsored she looks forward to recording and releasing her debut album later this year...