Lazy Eye - Black Hill (2018)

With a sound that’s described as “B.B. King sharing a Scotch with Booker T”, what Evan Whetter & Erica Graf set out to create was a contemporary Australian act that was steeped in the blues, credible and relevant. Just a few short years later, with a swag of awards under their belt, a body of work that boasts four albums, an EP and numerous festival appearances around the country, although still emerging, they’re well on their way to achieving just that.

The critically acclaimed South Australian band Lazy Eye released their debut album in 2013. On the back of copious kilometres of regional touring they were proud to take home “Album Of The Year” at the SA Blues & Roots awards. Referred to as “blues but with a twist” by a prominent festival booker, what Lazy Eye offer is something out of the ordinary from other touring acts. “We definitely approach the music differently. Not just because of where we’re from geographically and in time, but because of our instrumentation”. Whetter, the main song writer and frontman explains, “we wanted to bring the hammond organ to the front sonically. The organ trio is common in soul jazz but we heard these sounds in a more gritty way”. Accompanied by Erica Graf, a pioneer among female guitarists strutting the blues and drummer Mario Marino, award winning musician in his own right, the three have forged a voice of their own and made history becoming the first South Australian Artists to be awarded “Group Of The Year” at the 2015 Australian Blues Music Awards. The same year they won the inaugural Adelaide Roots & Blues Association’s “Memphis Blues Challenge” and in 2016 became the first band to represent South Australia at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, U.S.A. Following the competition Lazy Eye appeared at the fabled B.B. King’s Blues Club on Beale Street.

Back on home soil the band headed into the studio and recorded their fourth full length offering “Pocket The Black”. On release the live album was named “Blues Album of 2016” by the Adelaide Roots & Blues Association and following a successful national tour nominated for “Best Album” at the 2017 Australian Blues Music Awards. Growing interest from foreign shores has primed the Aussie act to broaden their horizons. This is what the critics are saying: Subscribe to our newsletter to find out more and enjoy three free downloads.

This is what the critics are saying:

“Powerfully fuelled by the soaring sound of Whetter’s B3, Graf’s fretwork is neatly crafted, pushing through the roaring organ sound when needed. Vocals are mostly shared between the members and show a clear grasp of the fundamentals of gritty, gripping delivery and soulful blues demands. This is a band that has quality and purpose at its core.” - Elmore Magazine (USA)

“Fine album from a band that I'd soon want to see play on the European stage.” - Rudolf's Music (Netherlands)

“Un petit tour en Australie pour découvrir un trio remarquable… A remarkable trio” - Blues Again (France)

“That these funky greens are being produced by the Australian band Lazy Eye somewhere in the southern Australian climes is just the international gravy made by the music” - All About Jazz (USA)

“The experience acquired in such a short time of life is expressed in "Lazy Eye"… interweaving the present and future of the blues, showing the strength and passion of the trio” - Stories Of The Blues (Spain)

“A tight, classy, hard-driving outfit. It is easy to see how they won “Group of the Year” in the 2015 National Blues Awards. Numbers such as “House Full of Trouble” and “Blue Tongue Blues” showed their considerable talents in both songwriting and performing.” - Glam Adelaide

“It’s easy to see why Lazy Eye have been getting the plaudits they easily deserve. It’s the blues done well with soul and passion.” - Music SA

“Evan Whetter’s vocals are gritty with a velvety smack of soul” - Sydney Morning Herald

“It’s a pleasure to see a weather-beaten Hammond fronting a band and even more so when it’s wielded with style. Such is the case with Adelaide blues outfit Lazy Eye” - The Australian

“The universal recognition is testament to the hard work and drive the three piece have applied since their formation just three years ago. Their throwback blend of electric blues and old school rock ‘n’ roll has earnt them festival spots all over the country” - Rip It Up

Evan Whetter - Vocals/Organ/Harmonica
Erica Graf - Guitar/Backing Vocals
Mario Marino - Drums/Backing Vocals
Special Guests Nikko (Guitar) & Snooks (Harmonica) on "Let Me Down Easy"

Track List:
01. Blue Tongue Blues (Live) (7:55)
02. House Of Trouble (Live) (9:08)
03. Black Hill (Live) (5:06)
04. Do It Right (Live) (6:14)
05. Slow Down Mumma (Live) (7:04)
06. Let Me Down Easy (Live) (7:31)
07. Voodoo Blues (Live) (7:45)
08. Down Home (Live) (6:20)
09. Black Hill (Radio Version) (3:34)

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