Music booking agency

The VU Music Agency represents a diverse range of high quality contemporary music acts, springing from acclaimed Victoria University music courses.

Musical acts are great for adding atmosphere and vibe to all kinds of venues and events, including community fairs, festivals, art openings, corporate occasions and parties. Whether you need a solo singer songwriter, cafe duo, jazz ensemble, heavy rock, funky dance, wedding or party band – you’ll find the perfect entertainment right here.

Take a look at the artists' photos and bios here and listen to their music, then contact VU Music Agency to enquire about prices and availability. PA hire and sound engineers are also available.

Read about the vibrant music community at VU.

Meraki Minds

Musicians

Ange & Dave

Ange & Dave are a Melbourne based guitar/vocal duo bringing a unique twist to classic and contemporary soul, jazz and blues tunes.

Both are studying their final semester of the Bachelor of Music Performance Degree at Victoria University and have played respectively at venues across Melbourne for groups Le Fleur and Soul Sparks. Now they are excited to explore music in a more intimate duo setting showcasing Angela's rich lustrous vocals on an extensive set list that includes songs by Amy Winehouse, Norah Jones, Carol King, Sam Cooke, Nina Simone and Stevie Wonder.

Set list

Tennessee whiskey - Chris Stapleton
What I’m doing here - Lake Street Dive
Masterpiece - Jasmine Sullivan
It’s too late - Carol King
Stand by Me
Lessons - Sinead Harnett
Alice Smith - Fool For You
Redbone - Childish Gambino
Rehab - Amy Winehouse
Black velvet - Alannah Myles
Sunday - Tori Kelly
Change is gonna come - Sam Cooke
Don’t Know Why - Norah Jones
Girl from Ipanema
Make you feel my love - Bob Dylan (Adele)
What’s Going On - Marvin Gaye
At Last - Etta James
Isn’t She Lovely - Stevie Wonder
Grandmas Hands - Bill Withers
Can’t Help Falling in Love - Elvis
Natural Women - Aretha Franklin
Cheating on me - Madison Ward
I Put a Spell on You - Nina Simone
No One - Alicia Keys

Listen

Ange & Dave on Soundcloud

Chantelle & Liam

Chantelle and Liam are a vocal guitar duo from Melbourne showcasing a powerhouse set of R'n'B, soul, neo soul and funk cover tunes. Brought together by their many shared musical interests and tastes while studying the Bachelor of Music at Victoria University, they've captivated and delighted audiences in top venues (Workers Club, Bergy Seltzer and the Esplanade Hotel) with Chantelle’s powerfully emotive vocals enriched by many a tasteful lick from Liam. Perfect for dancing, romancing and reminiscing all in one entertaining set.

Set list example

Turn Your Lights Down Low – Bob Marley
Redbone – Childish Gambino
Killing Me Softly – Fugees and Ms Lauryn Hill
How Deep is Your Love – Beegees
Heartbreak Anniversary – Giveon
Yellow – Coldplay
Levitating – Dua Lipa
Three Little Birds – Bob Marley
Fever – Peggy Lee
What is Love – Haddaway
Black and Gold – Sam Sparro
Signed Sealed Delivered – Stevie Wonder
Ain’t Too Proud to Beg – The Temptations
Sweet Child of Mine – Guns N' Roses
Let’s Stay Together – Al Green

Watch/listen

Chantelle and Liam on Instagram

Dayzed

Dayzed are a five-piece band influenced by dream pop, psychedelia and shoegaze.

Dayzed blends their own lo-fi coastal sound with harmless melodies, an insatiable appetite for reverb and the combination of hazy guitar and dreamy synth sounds.

Watch/listen

Dayzed on Bandcamp

Dayzed on Soundcloud

Deadnecks

A Grateful Dead cover band from Melbourne? Has it been done before?... not quite like this!

Spawned from the upmost appreciation for one of the greatest bands to ever do it, Deadnecks started out as a bit of fun jamming between friends, but has quickly grown into something much more. It attracts a loyal following of Australian ‘Deadheads’ keen to hear the spirit and sound of the legendary US band revived and encapsulated with a rare vigour and gusto.

This passion project features a group of skilled young Melbourne musicians Fergus Kuhar, Gus Cox, Clay Nielson, Evan Sillence, Laura Murray and Blake Savanah who joyously mix up soaring guitar solos and three-part vocal harmonies with bluegrass, country, folk, rock and psychedelia to produce a good-time live show that rolls right through you like a steam locomotive burning down the tracks.

Watch/listen

Deadnecks on Bandcamp

Deadnecks on Facebook

Diimpa

Eclectic and esoteric, Diimpa is an avant-garde composer, soundscape weaver and sonic wizard. He is a proud mixed Kabi Kabi autistic queer man who works with keyboard instruments like analogue synthesisers, music box, glockenspiel or accordion to create worlds of effortless magic and sound journey.

Diimpa draws on vast ranges of experimental influences, from composers Terry Riley, Pauline Oliveros and Julius Eastman, to contemporaries like Zoe Keating and Nils Frahm. Through these experiences and elements he carves out his own brand of unique contemporary Australian minimalism. Filled with electric pulses or ambient textures, Diimpa’s music is, at its heart, transcendent.

With an impressive output of three EPs, albums ‘Metamorphica’ and ‘Spectrum’, and a range of sound pieces under his belt, Diimpa has been performing with a cunning vivacity suffused with masterful improvisation since 2012.

Diimpa has been called “hypnotic” by CBC Radio and had work featured in local independent film and theatre works. His keen interest in durational pieces has seen 8-hour improvisations as part of Yirramboi Festival, Blakheart Festival, and ‘Sustenance’ at Arts Centre Melbourne for Fringe Festival 2016. The last year saw Diimpa as a Music Victoria ‘Best Experimental/Avant-garde Act’ nominee, and appearances at Meredith Music Festival and the Melbourne International Arts Festival.

He is currently working on ‘Wasteland’, a record about the lack of government initiative to tackle climate change.

“Feels like moving back in time, like walking through the halls of your memory palace to find that piece of information you need to survive. Not just now, but into the future” (CBC Radio)

Listen

Diimpa on Facebook

Diimpa on Bandcamp

Emerald Groove

Emerald Groove are an acoustic duo from Melbourne featuring Mia on vocals and Hezy on keys and guitar.

Mia refined her vocal style whilst studying the Bachelor of Music course at Victoria University. When Mia met Hezy, the two formed an instant connection and a great musical respect and admiration for each other, knowing from the first jam that they wanted to work together and form a duo.

Through the two complementing each other perfectly and approaching each song with a unique take, Emerald Groove was created. They play captivating re-interpretations of jazz, soul and pop classics that are sure to enchant and inspire their audience. Emerald Groove will bring the class, the energy, and the entertainment to your event!

Watch/listen

Emerald Groove on Facebook

Emerald Groove on Instagram

Frostbite

Frostbite are an Indie/Alternative band from Wagga Wagga NSW playing original music.

Songwriters Sam Campbell-McCrea and Caleb Skewes on guitar and vocals, Austin Bellany on drums and Liam Perry on bass guitar have been writing, recording, and performing in this line up since December 2019. Two singles - Twos and Threes and Edge of Bliss - charted on Triple J Unearthed at #5 and #11 on the Indie and Overall charts respectively. Frostbite were finalists in the Ryde Battle of the Bands competition in Sydney 2020. That same year making the most of limited performance opportunities during lockdown, the band turned their creativity to filming, recording, and releasing [on Youtube] a Live from the Loungeroom performance video, playing their set of original songs.

Frostbite are a band who don’t shy away from embracing new sounds. Drawing inspiration from varied influences such as The Smiths, The Cure, Frank Ocean, Tyler the Creator, they strive to captivate, enthuse, and move audiences with honest lyrics and infectious pop hooks.

Check out Frostbite on YouTube.

Gabrielle & Jose

Formed in the summer of 2018, Gabrielle (vocals) and Jose (guitar, vocals) are a dynamic duo from Melbourne. With a repertoire ranging from jazz standards to modern soul, they aspire to bring their own interpretation to classic tunes.

Watch/listen

Gabrielle and Jose on Instagram

Gabrielle Di Mauro Trio

Formed in the summer of 2018, Gabrielle (vocals), Jose (guitar) and Brandon (double bass) are a versatile trio from Melbourne and recent graduates of the highly esteemed Bachelor of Music Performance Degree from Victoria University.

With a repertoire ranging from jazz standards to modern soul, they aspire to add their own unique flare to classic and contemporary tunes and are available to perform as a duo (Gabrielle and Jose) or three piece band.

Watch/listen

Gabrielle Di Mauro Trio on Instagram

Gabrielle Di Mauro Trio on Facebook

Glass House

Glass House is the collaborative alternative-electronic pop project of Joel Batchelor and Paula Maki.

The duo work harmoniously to create emotive and thought-provoking lyrics, paired with ever-so-powerful-yet-dreamy vocals and delectable synthetic beats, inspired by various independent and big-label artists across decades.

The pair’s musical connection began in a high school band. They continued to work together in various bands, before ultimately deciding to manifest their joint forces into the pop power-duo known as ‘Glass House’.

Check out Glass House on Spotify.

Harlow & Hart

All girl acoustic trio performing unique renditions of your favourite hits from the 50s, 60s and 70s including classic early rock 'n' roll, disco hits and what’s hot on the radio now.

Harlow and Hart’s three part harmonies and fun personalities on stage will create a fabulous vibe at your next event.

Past performances include weddings, presentations nights, corporate events, The Big Gay Out, several residencies and shows at Crown Palladium Complex.

Watch/listen

Harlow & Hart - Billie Jean cover (Soundcloud)

Harlow & Hart highlight reel (YouTube)

The Jess Mahler Quartet

Saxophonist Jess, Brandon on upright bass, Fergus on drums and keyboardist Adriano make up this exciting young jazz quartet. Playing original instrumental compositions and new age infused arrangements of traditional standards, The Jess Mahler Quartet is here to satisfy all your Jazz moods from sultry summer afternoon to wintery late nights and every season in between. The Quartet can play sets from 30 minutes to four hours long.

Listen

The Jess Mahler Quartet on Dropbox (.wav music (audio) file, 3.55 mins, no text transcript)

Lady Midnight

Lady Midnight is vibrant vocal trio (Alison, Erin and Maddy) accompanied by talented instrumentalists: Luke on guitar, and Josh on stand up double bass.

Their varied repertoire includes swingin’ jazz standards, songs from musicals, sensual blues tunes and classic hits of other vocal trios such as the Boswell Sisters and Andrews Sisters. Lady Midnight bring their own modern twist and gorgeous vocal harmonies to many old tunes, as well as recreating modern pop tunes and presenting new original works. Sure to get legs swinging and hearts melting at your next event.

Watch/listen

Lady Midnight on Facebook

Lady Midnight on YouTube

Laura Kate

Laura Kate has loved music from an early age. The 1939 MGM musical The Wizard of Oz captured her heart at the age of 10 and she became enraptured by classic movie musicals of the 1930s through to the 1960s and inspired by entertainers such as Judy Garland, Doris Day, Fred Astaire and Al Jolson. Laura has also been influenced by the music of the 50’s and 60’s, listening to artists such as Brenda Lee, Bobby Rydell, Rick Nelson, Connie Francis and Elvis Presley.

In her early teens, Laura commenced singing lessons with opera star Barbara Zavros, who won the prestigious Herald Sun Aria in 2011. Laura has also received classical training on the violin for over 10 years and has had experience playing in a Celtic Band, a Bluegrass Band and a Pop/Country Duo. She looks up to violinists such as Itzhak Perlman, Hilary Hahn and Andre Rieu.

Laura Kate specialises in performing classic songs from the 20th Century at public and private functions such as parties, ceremonies, weddings, festivals and concerts.

Watch/listen

Laura Kate - Runaway (YouTube)

Laura Kate - The Black Hills of Dakota (YouTube)

Set list

Laura Kate - singing & violin repertoire

Leilani & Bud

Leilani and Bud are a Melbourne duo whose sole purpose is to entertain your crowd!

With a repertoire covering smooth jazz, pop, funk and modern RnB, the duo cover all the touchstones of corporate music, at duo rates.

Able to perform as a solo electric Jazz style guitar with Leilani's soaring vocals or as a more modern RnB Pop duo complete with backing tracks, Leilani and Bud are musically versatile and entertaining.

With years of experience in the entertainment business, recent duo performances include The President's Function at Etihad Stadium for The Western Bulldogs Football team and Victoria University's College of Law Moot Gala Dinner.

Watch/listen

Leilani & Bud Corporate Duo Promo Video (YouTube)

Lil Groom

Lil Groom hails from Esfahn in Iran. He started making music at seven years of age and by fifteen was composing songs with lyrics protesting against the Iranian Government.

Scared of retaliation, recording studios in his native city refused to record his music, so Lil Groom sang into his phone and shared the protest songs via WhatsApp. He quickly became an underground sensation in his city, but when he was sold out to the authorities by an ex-lover he wound up in prison.

After his release Lil Groom applied for a student visa to study for a Bachelor of Music at Victoria University in Melbourne. Just in time his visa came though allowing him to flee the country and avoid more jail time.

Now based in Melbourne, Lil Groom's song 'The Reason' has over 20,000 plays on Soundcloud and features a trans-continental collaboration with US Rapper Glasses Malone (Snoop Dogg, Lil Wayne, Tyga and Akon).

Listen

Lil Groom - The Reason (feat. Glasses Malone)

Loki & Sam

Loki Hough and Sam Cashman are a couple of east coast boys trying to make their way through the trials and tribulations of the music industry, whilst setting up a home base in the creatively inspiring city that is Melbourne.

They had both grown up in small beach towns that were only an hour’s drive away from each other in New South Wales, but Sam and Loki had never crossed paths. That is, until they both decided to further their musical careers in the wondrous city of Melbourne. The duo united one fateful day as their kindred spirits aligned and from that day, the jams have been plentiful and the tunes have been oh, so tasty.

Covering a range of genres from folk to funk and rock to rap, Sam and Loki add their personal flare to every song they perform, and even throw in a few originals to spice things up. Focusing on Sam’s slick riffs and licks on the guitar and Loki’s soothing, yet powerful vocals, the duo create a blend that is undoubtedly pleasant on the ears. With a few twists and turns along the way, these two young musicians will provide the audience with a set that they won’t forget.

The duo focuses on acoustic guitar and vocals, with the addition of shakers and loop pedals.

Some of the songs that Loki and Sam perform include:

Stuck in The Middle - Stealers Wheel
Weathered - Jack Garratt
Redbone - Childish Gambino
Sitting, Waiting, Wishing - Jack Johnson
Hey Ya - Outkast
Hard Sun - Eddie Vedder
Crazy - Gnarls Barkley
Going Up The Country - Canned Heat

Watch/listen

Loki & Sam on Instagram

Loki & Sam sing Hey Ya by Outkast (YouTube)

Loki Hough

Loki’s music is an homage to his upbringing in the small Australian coastal town of Byron Bay surrounded by beaches, fields and forests. His music and lyrics relate largely to his connection to the natural elements, while exploring the relationships between nature, mind and spirit. Loki creates powerful imagery and a dreamlike soundscape that the audience will be able to lose themselves in.

Listen

Find Loki Hough on Spotify

Louise Sol

Louise Sol is a sometimes-comedy, sometimes-folk, singer–songwriter from Melbourne. A dabbler in guitar and piano, with various smatterings of bass and kazoo. Obscure percussion instrument enthusiast. Storyteller. Rambler.

Working with the themes of comedy and fragility, Louise writes songs about the misfortunes of life that unite us either in laughter or tears.

Louise is available for comedy-only, folk-only, or mixed sets, usually consisting of mostly originals interspersed with covers by artists such as Kate Nash, Amanda Palmer, Stella Donnelly and Kate Miller-Heidke.

Watch/listen

Louise Sol on Facebook

Louise Sol on Instagram

Louise Sol on Bandcamp

Maddie Jackway

Hailing from southwest Victoria, Melbourne-based singer-songwriter Maddie Jackway has been captivating audiences with her vocal prowess for many years.

Lyrically, her original compositions are emotionally charged and explore the multiple and varied facets of what it is to be human in the 21st century.

Drawing influence from a range of musicians, including Adele, JoJo, Meg Mac, John Mayer, Joni Mitchell, Hannah Cameron and Susanne Sundfor, Maddie refuses to be boxed into playing and creating one genre of music.

Her acoustic set-up (voice and piano/keyboard) seamlessly interweave original pieces with re-imagined covers of some of your favourite tunes, making certain that throughout the listening experience, you feel all of the feels.

Listen & follow

Melody Grace

With a mixture of jazz, pop and soul, Melody can fill any room with something truly dreamy, fresh and classy.

Her influences are many, her live set features classics by Aretha Franklin, James Taylor and Billy Joel as well as Corinne Bailey Rae, Natasha Bedingfield and Ed Sheeran. She weaves in some poetically crafted, catchy and unique originals, as well as great upbeat sing-alongs to get the crowd going at the end of the night.

Melody's irresistible melodies are perfect for creating a sweet and charming atmosphere at a variety of events.

Listen

Listen to Melody on SoundCloud.

Meraki Minds

Meraki Minds are a five-piece Indie Pop band from Ballarat.

Their name is derived from the Greek word ‘Meraki’, meaning the act of leaving a piece of yourself and your soul in your work. Described as 'power pop meets contemporary Indie Rock', with melodious guitars, groovy bass and drums behind female vocalists, Meraki Minds emerged from their high school band room with a set of sophisticated original tunes. Today they appear on the stages of Victorian Festivals and Melbourne’s live music scene.

Meraki Minds scored a place in the Sonika Youth Regional Battle of the Bands Final in 2018 and now with a growing fan base, the band are on a mission to bring that Meraki sound to a wider audience.

Listen

Meraki Minds on Facebook.

Nathan Power

Melbourne singer songwriter Nathan Power explores heartache, the stress of 21st century Millennialism and the occasional moments of happiness that happen in between. Nathan plays a range of sets featuring up-tempo numbers, slow dances, a crowd sing-along or three and covers, most likely from Nick Drake, Paul Kelly or an obscure 1960s folk artist.

Borrowing inspiration from artists such as the Tallest Man on Earth, Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen, Nathan explores a love of folk music to communicate stories loosely based on life experiences. Armed with a parlour guitar and backed by a ragtag collection of instruments including double bass, drums, and the occasional three-part vocal harmony.

Watch/listen

Nathan Power - Solstice (Soundcloud)

Nathan Power (Website)

Silence To Break

Hailing from the western suburbs of Melbourne and formed in Yarraville at Victoria University in 2016, Silence To Break is a high-energy Pop Punk band with an unapologetic 'hit you in the face' sound matched with soothing cool female vocals.

With songs and riffs inspired by bands like Neck Deep, Green Day and Parkway Drive, and lyrics telling of violence, heartbreak, power and escape, STB delivers unique songs that are sure to stay in your head for days.

Playing mostly originals and a few special covers, the band members are:

Angela Gewargis (vocals)
Caleb Roksandic (guitar)
Michael Stawiarski (bass)
Jesse Johns (drums)

Listen

Silence To Break on Soundcloud

Citizen of Earth by Neck Deep - cover by Silence To Break (YouTube)

Soul and Storm

Judex Rose and Sandra De Reland are a versatile guitar/vocal duo with roots in the Mauritius Island. Favourites at Republica St Kilda, the African Festival, Melbourne Music week and Melbourne’s top bars and restaurants, Soul and Storm charm the audience with synergy, energy, nostalgia and positive vibes.

Their versatile set features jazz, soul, rhythm and blues, modern hits, classic covers, choice originals and contemporary feels to old-school faves from the 1940s.

If you had to describe Sandra’s voice in one word it would be suave. A Mauritian-born vocalist now based in Melbourne, Sandra grew up in a musical family encouraging her immersive journey into Latin sounds, jazz, pop, soul, funk, French and creole music. She can do it all with 'je ne sais quoi' that makes her interpretation of songs very personal.

Judex Rose is a Mauritian music composer and multi-instrumentalist based in Melbourne. His sound is influenced by his island heritage; merging jazz harmonies with a blend of African and Indian rhythms. The son of a musician, he grew up surrounded by jazz and has since carved his own style within the genre, sitting somewhere between jazz, reggae and dancehall.

Shaped by the same cultural heritage, values and musical influences, Soul and Storm are a vibrant duo ready to add a special atmosphere to your function or event.

Watch/listen

Soul and Storm on Facebook

Steven Lay

Steven Lay is a producer, instrumentalist and vocalist, combining instrumental guitar with electronic beats and original sound design. These elements merge to create a unique expression of experimental rock, ambient and psychedelic electronic, moulded with an interest in jazz fusion. Delivered onstage as a solo performance, blending instrumentalism, live vocals and music technology, this introspective and carefully honed sonic sound picture grooves and flows in a journey to the centre of the soul.

Steven Lay uses live looping and ‘Ableton Live’ as a tool to trigger ambient and progressive SFX, strings and electronic beats, while singing and playing fusion influenced lead guitar with shredding solos to mould electronic music, experimental psychedelic and rock together with synergy.

Steven Lay on YouTube

The Blue Creek Boys

Multi-instrumentalists Thomas Kendall and Jeremy Marcotte combine forces to create music that comes from each of their unique backgrounds and a shared love of early country and bluegrass music. The Blue Creek Boys' style varies between slow, mournful ballads, ripping fast fiddle tunes, powerful close two-part harmonies with mandolin and guitar, and lightning fast danceable clawhammer banjo and guitar pieces.

Listen

New album out now!

thebluecreekboys.bandcamp.com

Theodore Kidd

I will admit it - I am not your typical Singer-Songwriter. I may sing and play an acoustic guitar, but by using my loop pedal to combine Folk chord progressions with Beatboxing loops, I create music that has a style that is genuinely me. It is a unique combination anywhere, but in Melbourne, Australia, it is comfortable and familiar while still being distinct, original, and different.

Understandably, I have a broad range of musical influences that include Frank Sinatra, Bob Dylan, Beck, Jack Johnson, Drake, and Post Malone. Take a listen to my original tracks and you will hear elements of Blues, Folk, Hip-Hop, and Electronica, as well as character-filled vocal deliveries ranging from that of a mellow Singer-Songwriter to an energetic and outspoken Rapper.

Watch/listen

Theodore Kidd Official Website

Listen to Theodore Kidd on Bandcamp

Washed Up Wizards

Psych rock rascals, Washed Up Wizards are a 4-piece based in Melbourne. Step into the Wizards’ cave and stare deeply into the cauldron for a brew of hard-hitting riffs, hypnotic oscillations and saturated seas of fuzz, they are one not to be missed!

The group formed in 2019 and has hit the ground running, bringing their all original set to venues all around Melbourne and Geelong such as The Evelyn Hotel, Old bar, Last Chance Rock and Roll Bar and The Barwon Club.

Washed Up Wizards draw influence from bands such as All Them Witches, Sleep, Black Sabbath, Earth and Neu!