Heather's Trio to be joined by some special guest musicians for three festival shows in 2011! Check out the Upcoming Events page for more info >>
HEATHER FRAHN TRIO: BIOGRAPHY
photo by Kim Shillington
The HEATHER FRAHN TRIO quickly became one of Australia's finest live roots music acts. They formed in January 2007 and just three weeks later received the only standing ovation at the Australian Blues Music Festival in Goulburn, NSW. Since then they have been working hard in the rehearsal room, the studio and on the road, and were recently featured in the Adelaide International Guitar Festival. This stand-out trio present an energetic, interactive and thoughtful live show. They mix roots, blues, reggae, funk and folk creating their own earthy sound that resonates with any audience . The trio has been compared to the likes of Ani DiFranco, Michael Franti, John Butler Trio and Dave Matthews Band.
The trio is made up of Heather's multi-award winning vocals, her custom-made 8 string hybrid guitar-bass, which can also be played as a lap-slide guitar, Ryan's stirring harmonica and Daniel's accomplished drums and percussion. Heather is sponsored by Salvi's Fine Guitars.
SYNERGY , the Trio's new CD, was recorded in August 2007 and was produced by David Briggs of the Little River Band (Guitarist/Songwriter) and Australian Crawl (Producer). SYNERGY captures the Trio's unique powerhouse, funky, roots sound and has been featured on Australian radio including national airplay on Triple J's ROOTS ‘N ALL program and Nova FM's HOMEBREW show across South Australia.
The Trio's list of accomplishments... Including festivals and tours in multiple cities around Australia, which is no small task cinsidering the land's size!
FINALIST, BEST NEW TALENT, AUSTRALIAN BLUES MUSIC AWARDS – February 2008
HEADLINED BEAUFORT MUSIC FESTIVAL (VIC) – February 2008
ADELAIDE INTERNATIONAL GUITAR FESTIVAL – December 2007
Daniel started formal drum lessons at the age of 7. From this young age he had a strong focus on rudimental work, playing in a pipe band drum corps. It was at the age of 11, as he entered high school, that he started learning the drumkit along with other percussion instruments including marimba, vibraphone and timpani. Over these years he received tuition from leading percussion figures Jim Bailey and Laurie Kennedy (Elder School of Music) and also accompanied legendary jazz musician Don Burrows. Other tutors included Trent Wickers and Damien Eldridge, both of whom have become highly accomplished performers and educators. Over this time this combined schools ensemble completed numerous tours of New South Wales , including a performance at the Sydney Opera House and a tour of Japan in 1992.
Daniel continued his development when he moved to Adelaide in 1995 playing with the City of Adelaide Pipe Band. Since 1995 they have won every South Australian State Championships, 3 Victorian State Championships and the Australian National Championships in 1998-1999. Daniel has held the position of Vice Principal of Drumming in the Australian Pipe Band College since 2001. He was invited to tutor at the South West Coast Piping and Drumming Workshop in 2003, an acclaimed workshop that hosts many of the worlds leading performers and educators.
Over the past 5 years Daniel has been employed as an instrumental music teacher, teaching drumkit and percussion, in a number of schools in South Australia , New South Wales and Victoria.
He has been performing with numerous bands around Adelaide including The Borderers, in which he played to 30,000 people at the Elder Park Carols by Candlelight in 2005, and LaRusso who won the National Campus Band Competition UniSA State Final and also supported Sarah Blasko in 2003.
Currently Daniel is playing in the Heather Frahn Trio who are taking the roots music scene by storm, after recently releasing their debut EP and setting off on the road again for yet another tour.
Ryan Maguire has been playing harmonica for about 12 years, first picking it up in high school.
Although it's taken him a while to join up full time with anyone, he has earned his dues jamming with various bands and buskers throughout Adelaide! With a natural tendency towards upbeat music he has tended to stray from the typical straight blues format of many players. His unique style has often been referred to as being akin to chromatic rather than diatonic playing, possibly a nod to his hero. (chromatic playing Stevie Wonder)
However Ryan also took the unusual route of deliberately avoiding listening to anyone playing his chosen instrument for the first few years of playing, which inevitably made an impact as well. He cites "Blind Owl" Wilson from Canned Heat and Brendan Power as some of his favourite harp players, other than stevie of course.
In 2006 he joined local 'hillbilly supergroup' Grandmas Shotgun, who still do the occasional gig around Adelaide honing his skills on everything from bluegrass to Irish traditionals.
Finally early in 2007 he teamed up with Heather & Daniel to form the Heather Frahn Trio, finding the appropriate home for his inspiring, unconventional playing.
Still searching for the right sound, via much experimenting with microphones, pedals, and differently tuned harmonicas, Ryan Maguire is a harp player to keep your eye on.
“a unique trio sound with songs of passion and virtuoso musical performance” David Briggs, Little River Band
“The Heather Frahn Trio are charming, engaging, talented and charismatic. It has been a real pleasure working with such mature, accommodating and professional musicians. The appreciation of our patrons for this unique act was clear and evident by the standing ovation.” Jenny Falconer, Coordinator, Australian Blues Music Festival
“The 'Meshell Ndegeocello' and 'Red Hot Chilli Peppers' of folk music!... and a James Brown on acoustic guitar!” Richard Pleasance, Producer
“This socially engaged Australian lady Heather Frahn has a very beautiful voice that can handle many different styles of singing… a comparison pops up with living legend Joan Armatrading because of the specific way of singing and the obvious determined guitar playing” Rootstime Magazine, Belgium
“funky and uplifting gig” Border Mail, Victoria
“Wonderful music. Must say that Heather Frahn has become a favourite. That girl has something really worth listening to, both her voice and lyrics." Blue Note Radio , Norway
“Heather is a bundle of creative and performing energy”...“contemporary style, all performed with energy and conviction” ... “A young singer/songwriter to look out for.” National Folk Alliance Newsletter
“hands down one of the most talented musicians I know... acoustic groove pumps through her veins like a life blood whilst her voice will seduce or flatten you in the one sitting...its time the broader world copped an earful of Heather Frahn ” Susie Keynes, FRUIT
“three of a kind” The Courier, Ballarat Victoria
“the Heather Frahn Trio took to the stage and from the first note the crowd was enraptured” Whyalla News , South Australia
“Take songs of worth and meaning, and combine with instrumentation that is tastefully played without being overbearing. Mix together to ensure that the balance is right. Let the melodic nature of the mix rise naturally to the surface. The end result, when topped with harmonious vocals, practically cooks itself. It's called the Heather Frahn Trio. Mmm, tasty” Michael Hunter, Three D Radio
Recorded at Billy Hydes Studios, Adelaide Australia
SYNERGY: Heather Frahn Trio's debut EP featuring their 'powershouse' roots blend of funky folk. A must have for John Butler Trio or Michael Franti fans. (2007)
“A unique trio sound with songs of passion and virtuoso musical performance.” David Briggs, Little River Band
“Take songs of worth and meaning, and combine with instrumentation that is tastefully played without being overbearing. Mix together to ensure that the balance is right. Let the melodic nature of the mix rise naturally to the surface. The end result, when topped with harmonious vocals, practically cooks itself. It's called the Heather Frahn Trio. Mmm, tasty” Michael Hunter, Three D Radio
Daniel started formal drum lessons at the age of 7. From this young age he had a strong focus on rudimental work, playing in a pipe band drum corps. It was at the age of 11, as he entered high school, that he started learning the drumkit along with other percussion instruments including marimba, vibraphone and timpani. Over these years he received tuition from leading percussion figures Jim Bailey and Laurie Kennedy (Elder School of Music) and also accompanied legendary jazz musician Don Burrows. Other tutors included Trent Wickers and Damien Eldridge, both of whom have become highly accomplished performers and educators. Over this time this combined schools ensemble completed numerous tours of New South Wales , including a performance at the Sydney Opera House and a tour of Japan in 1992. 
Over the past 5 years Daniel has been employed as an instrumental music teacher, teaching drumkit and percussion, in a number of schools in South Australia , New South Wales and Victoria. 
Ryan Maguire has been playing harmonica for about 12 years, first picking it up in high school. 
Finally early in 2007 he teamed up with Heather & Daniel to form the Heather Frahn Trio, finding the appropriate home for his inspiring, unconventional playing. 
