Minnie Marks Melbourne Guitar Show Interview

The Australian Music Association is excited to announce the 2019 return of the Melbourne Guitar Show, set to rock Caulfield Racecourse on August 3 and 4 – and this year's show is set to be colossal. Proudly presented by Triple M and Australian Musician, the lineup boasts an impressive haul of both local and international artists. In addition to the world-class performances from the artists on the massive lineup, #MGS2019 will also hold a huge gear expo that will feature a gigantic variety of electric and acoustic guitars, effects pedals, amps and more state-of-the-art guitar technology, both home-grown and from around the world. See, try and buy! It will continue to be Australia's biggest guitar pop-up shop, as well as hosting information seminars, demonstrations, and live performances from Australia's most talented guitarists.

The first lineup announcement for #MGS2019 includes a fantastic mix of guitar talent including Keith Merrow and Dennis Jones, both from the USA, who will join the eclectic and star-studded local list, which this year features: Ash Grunwald, Sarah McLeod, Dave Leslie, Lloyd Spiegel, Stars (featuring Mal Eastick, Nick Charles, and Roger McLachlan), plus Minnie Marks, Phil Manning, Anna Scionti, Chris Finnen, James Norbert Ivanyi, Cartridge Family feat Sarah Carroll and Suzanna Espie, Jeremy Barnes, Simon Hosford's Fair Warning (who will be playing the entire Van Halen debut album), Michael Dolce, James Ryan, Charlie Bedford, Shannon Bourne and heaps more. Hit up the Melbourne Guitar Show website www.australianmusician.com.au for the latest show additions.

"I'm so stoked to be a part of the Melbourne Guitar Show this year!" enthuses Ash Grunwald. "I'm incredibly excited to be unveiling something I've been collaborating on which has been a lifelong dream of mine."

Drawing thousands of guitar lovers and enthusiasts to the 2018 Melbourne Guitar Show, #MGS2019 is growing year on year and is gearing up for the biggest event yet. Champion of the Australian music products industry, Australian Music Association (AMA) will be teaming up with australianmusician.com.au and presenting sponsors Triple M, 3PBS, Beat, Mixdown and Noise11 to present this year's guitar-centric weekend. At last year's show, punters not only enjoyed scheduled performances and demos from the awesome artists on the lineup, but also witnessed surprise on-stand appearances from some of Australia's finest artists, including Harts, Darren Middleton (Powderfinger), Bec Sandridge, Dan Sultan and many more. Both the organisers and the exhibitors are constantly wrangling acts right up until the very last minute – and who will be joining the all-star jam this year? Come on down and find out!

Thrilled to present #MGS2019 once again, AMA executive officer and MGS organiser, Rob Walker says, "It's exciting to see the show develop each year and add value to the live music industry. We are proud to present such a broad range and quality of guitars, amps and gear from the big brands to local artisans. And each year we get to put together a program of live music featuring the considerable talents of our guitar community. It's a great weekend for anyone into music, particularly guitars."

Rob continues, "And not only will the #MGS2019 provide a hands-on chance to see and play such a broad range of gear, there'll be bargains a plenty. We like to call it Australia's biggest pop up guitar store!" 

The Melbourne Guitar Show will be held at Caulfield Racecourse on August 3 and 4.
Tickets are on sale June 7.

The Melbourne Guitar Show is produced by the Australian Music Association, an incorporated not-for-profit. Proceeds, if any, are used to provide services to the Australian music products industry, particularly the promotion of music making to the community.

Online ticket prices when pre-ordered:: Adult day pass $20, adult weekend pass $30, family day pass $40, concession day pass $10, concession weekend pass $15.

MELBOURNE GUITAR SHOW DETAILS
SATURDAY AUG 3 | CAULFIELD RACECOURSE |10.00am – 6.00pm | TICKETS
SUNDAY AUG 4 | CAULFIELD RACECOURSE |10.00am – 4.00pm | TICKETS
#MGS2019

Interview with Minnie Marks

Question: Who and what are you most looking forward to at the Melbourne Guitar Show?

Minnie Marks: Dave Leslie and Sarah Mcleod; they were very early influences in my music career and still are to this day.


Question: Can you share your earliest guitar memory, with us?

Minnie Marks: I would say it would have been watching Sarah McLeod at one of the local pubs near where I grew up. I always wanted to play the guitar but I held back quite a bit because I thought I would have to play quietly and sing softly because I was a girl. But that changed very quickly when I saw Sarah shredding - I went home from that gig and it was game on ever since that day!


Question: What originally inspired you to begin playing the guitar?

Minnie Marks: My eldest brother used to dabble with guitar around house and I thought that was pretty cool. I wanted to be like him and soon after I picked up the guitar I couldn't put it down.


Question: What advice do you have for young aspiring guitarist?

Minnie Marks: Play for the right reasons, have fun while you're doing it and play as much as you can.


Question: What music and musicians are you currently listening to?

Minnie Marks: Currently I'm drowning my ears in Joey Landreth; he's a beautiful slide player, killer songwriter and his voice is honey.

Question: Who would you say has been your guitar hero?

Minnie Marks: Definitely Julz Parker from the Hussy Hicks; I was lucky enough those two girls took me under their wing and practically raised me on the road (laughs). She's one of the most humble, most musical guitarists I've ever had the pleasure playing music with and I'm grateful for the thousands of things she's taught me. Plus she gives a lot of the fellas a run for their money with their six string.


Question: Which is your all-time favourite guitar and why?

Minnie Marks: I would have to say my own. My EBG808C Maton Guitar with modified pickups. It's been with me for 14 years almost and I love that thing. But a few other honourable mentions for me would be a Gretsch Country Gent Junior, a Mule Resonator, and I'm digging on the Collings i35 (335 shaped beast). I could go on forever...


Question: What's next, for you?

Minnie Marks: I'm working on writing a new album at the moment and a new show. Lots of exciting things...


Interview by Brooke Hunter