Taking Blues into the future!
Thriving on the influences of Motown, Memphis & New Orleans, The Turnaround takes the traditions of Blues, R&B and Soul and infuses them with a completely original and contemporary vibe. This energetic 4 piece is electric on stage, rocking their original music plus well loved covers.
Rewarded for their innovation with award nominations in Australia and internationally, the band performs at venues and festivals in and around Southeast Queensland.
Original Debut
Formerly known as "The Lucky Lips Band" they released their debut EP "Talk the Talk" which placed the band as Finalist in the Australian Blues & Roots “CHAIN” Awards and Semi Finalist in the International Songwriters “Unsigned Only “Awards. The band then launched a new sound and a new name with their self titled album "The Turnaround" in 2020.
Both recordings went straight to the top ten of The Australian Blues & Roots Airplay Charts for several months! Listen to it here!
Festivals
The Turnaround live festival experience is high energy!
- 2024 Mitchell Creek Festival
- 2023 Passport to Airlie Competition
- 2023 Blues Music Weekend City Sounds
- 2023 River Heads Rocks Festival
- 2022 River Heads Rocks Festival
- 2021 Ipswich Christmas festival
- 2021 Jumpers & Jazz in July festival
- 2020 BASEQ Blues at The Triffid Festival
- 2019 International Blues Music Day festival
- 2019's Jumpers & Jazz in July festival
- 2018 Blues on Broadbeach
- 2017 Bayside Blues Fest
Venues
• The Brooklyn Standard • The Walrus Club • The Mount Gravatt Street Food • The Royal Mail Hotel
• Den Deivne Broadbeach • Chattanooga Jazz Bar • Bramble Bay Bowls Sporting Club
• The Walrus Club • The Mount Gravatt Street Food • Hotel Maleny • Maryborough Sports Club
High energy, contemporary blues! “...a voice that can be flirty or powerful, tough & sassy!” Blues in the South – United Kingdom
Spiced with the band's chart topping originals, our show
features a blend
of traditional and contemporary blues, soul and R&B
Donna Hourigan
Lead Vocals/Guitar/Harmonica
A vocalist with a 3 octave range, Donna is loved by audiences wherever she performs. Donna's amazing vocal versatility allows her to cover a wide range of material from Blues, Jazz, RnB & Soul.
Donna is a passionate songwriter. Along with the members of The Turnaround, she released the debut EP “Talk the Talk” in April 2019. This EP entered the Australian Blues and Roots Charts at number 9, rising to number 6 and remaining in the top 25 for 4 months. The title track reached the semi-finals of the International Songwriters competition "Unsigned Only" and the finals of the Australian Blues Music "CHAIN" awards in the "New Talent of the Year" category.
Donna has performed at various blues venues and corporate events at venues such as The Queensland Performing Arts Centre & at festivals such as the Mitchell Creek Rock & Blues Fest. and The Amy Winehouse Tribute Show. With The Turnaround, Donna has also appeared at The International Blues Music Day Festival, Blues on Broadbeach Festival, The Bayside Blues Festival and Jumpers and Jazz in July.
Committed to the future of blues music, Donna served on the committee for the Blues Association of South east Qld (BASEQ) for five years and is still an active member and volunteer.
Darren Griffiths
Bass Guitar/Backing Vocals
Darren, a versatile musician trained in keyboards and saxophone, is also a self-taught bassist known for his remarkable ability to lock in with the rhythm section. As a highly sought-after freelance bass player, Darren has recorded with various local artists and toured Eastern Queensland, supporting bands like Dragon, Darryl Braithwaite, The Choir Boys, and The Filthy Animals. His solid yet smooth grooves and inventive bass lines have drawn the attention of many recording artists and fill-in bands.
Prominently, Darren is a key collaborator with The Turnaround, contributing to their original songwriting and studio work. He has also been a member of several top-tier bands, including Undercover Blonde, Jukebox Heroes, Rush Hour, Radio City, and Wanita Australia's Queen of Honkytonk. Darren continues to write and collaborate with a wide range of artists, keeping his creative passion alive.
Ben Butcher
Lead Guitarist/Backing Vocals
Haling originally from the UK, Ben’s passionate approach to guitar made him an obvious choice as The Turnaround’s lead axeman! Just watch him step up with musical fills & licks, giving vibrant colour to Soul & R&B selections, while holding nothing back with driving rhythm & soaring lead solos that are such an integral part of The Blues!
A true musician, experimenting with saxophone, bass before settling into guitar. He’s played in multiple bands ranging from swing, to comedy metal, classic rock and rockabilly. Main influences are classic rock, blues and soul. Previously recording with Tempest Kings.
Les Oldman
Drums/Percussion/Vocals
Advanced Diploma of Jazz Performance at Gordon TAFE, had a refresher at the “Daniel Glass Drummers Intensive Camp” in New York playing jazz at the famous Birdland Club and blues in Harlem at Valerie Simpsons’ Club (famous RnB songwriter), and did the Drumline short-course at Scotch College Melbourne.
Les Oldman is one fine drummer, and he sings. Les loves providing the deepest groove and the most energizing upbeat of swing. He uses sensitivity as a musical approach.
The Song rules. Les has taught at Kardinia International College Geelong for 16 years devising a Syllabus using Rockschool, Trinity and many auxiliary books to hone in on deficiencies.
He has worked with the best in the Australian Music Industry (Paul Gadsby, Eris O’Brien, Nick Charles, Hey Gringo, Andrea Marr, Ross Hannaford, Chris Stockley, John Dallimore).
Represented Australia in 2006 at the International Blues Competition in Memphis. Done session work for singer-songwriters Tom Bolton, Derek Browell and Leigh Sloggett and played Alice Springs and Mt Isa with Country band Ruckus. He can be seen around town playing in a Blues, Country or Pop outfit and loves the opportunity to play jazz. A recent project involved using loops with an acoustic drumkit for a contemporary jazz-rock band. Versatility comes to mind!!