Fine Blue Thread - Bio

Fine Blue Thread is an exciting collaboration of three creative musicians from very different worlds: Helen Mountfort ('cello, My Friend the Chocolate Cake, Cosmo Cosmolino), Ria Soemardjo (voice and viola) and Sam Evans (multiple tabla and percussion). This distinctly Melbourne trio plays finely crafted, fresh and intriguing compositions that are grounded in the traditions of Indian, Javanese and Western classical music.

Since their sold-out debut performance at the Melbourne International Arts Festival, Fine Blue Thread have been surprising audiences throughout Australia with performances of their own original music that is sometimes haunting, uplifting and breathtakingly intimate. Fine Blue Thread have recently released the album Red Mountain and are receiving rave reviews for this debut work. The music of Fine Blue Thread is moody, open, sweet and surprising - generating a distinctive modern Melbourne sound. Recent performance highlights include the Melbourne International Arts Festival, The Victorian Arts Centre, The Melbourne Recital Centre, The Famous Spiegeltents in Melbourne and Sydney and other festivals throughout Australia.

Helen Mountfort ~ Gut String 'Cello

Helen Mountfort studied ‘cello and composition at Victoria University Wellington New Zealand. Helen moved to Australia in 1986 and soon after joined the band Not drowning,waving. Helen was a founding member of the band My Friend the Chocolate Cake with whom she still records performs, and also a member of gypsy/tango band Cosmo Cosmolino. Helen  writes music for film, television, dance and theatre and is in demand as a session musician having recorded with many Australian artists including Missy Higgins, Archie Roach, Paul Kelly, Midnight Oil, Renee Geyer, Mark Seymour and the John Butler Trio.

Ria Soemardjo ~ Voice and Viola

Ria Soemardjo has established herself in Australia as a unique voice in the world music scene. Born in Melbourne of Australian/Indonesian descent, Ria draws on her deep respect for the Javanese musical tradition in her song writing and collaborative projects. Ria has studied traditional Javanese and Indian vocals intensively in India and Indonesia, funded by the Australia Council for the Arts.  Recent performing highlights include The Singapore Performing Arts Showcase, The Biwako Biennale in Japan, The Melbourne International Arts Festival and a live recording for Radio National's Music Deli show.

Sam Evans ~ Multiple Tabla and Percussion
After a decade of study in India, Evans has established himself as a rare modern voice in the world of tabla. His distictive approach expresses both a sense of spaciousness and the vibrant sophistication of the Indian tabla tradition he learnt from Pandit Anindo Chatterjee and Ustad Zakir Hussain. He has written for documenties and television, performed live on Indian and Australian television, on national and international radio and with a wide variety of bands at numerous international jazz and world music festivals.

 | © 2009 Sam Evans all rights reserved |