biographical info
Hillbilly Burlesque is an eclectic mix of professional recording and touring musicians from the Winnipeg, Manitoba area. Together since 2001 they've cultivated their alternative country-blues style and established a dedicated following of "Billyheads" in the national music scene.
Sultry and gritty lead vocals, stinging slide guitar and wailing blues harmonica are held down by a funky rhythm section creating a raunchy but down-home feel. Lead vocalists/songwriters Angel Calnek and Slide Boy Sandmoen craft quirky, gospel and country blues originals and renovate covers of twentieth century roots and blues performers from Memphis Minnie and Robert Johnson to Bonnie Raitt and Ry Cooder.
Recent album releases are Crazy Life (2011 independent), Women in Blues Manitoba Compilation (2009 KitKat Productions), Guess Who’s Home Compilation (2006 Transistor 66 Records).
A second Hillbilly Burlesque album will be released in 2012 along with the second Women in Blues Manitoba album.
lineup
Angel Calnek Lead vocals, guitars
Slide Boy Sandmoen Lead vocals, guitars
John Neal Electric bass guitar
Julene Gravett drums, background vocals
Kansas City Cramer Harmonica
influences
Maria Muldaur
Memphis Minnie
Jimmie Rodgers
Ry Cooder
Taj Mahal
Bonnie Raitt
Koko Taylor
John Hiatt
Carl Perkins
NRBQ