Artist Info

 

Gugun Blues Shelter

    Genre : Blues/Rock

    Performances :

    Website :
    


  

About This Act :



Formed in 2004 in the humid, smokey downtown blues bars of Jakarta, Indonesia, Gugun Blues Shelter are at the cutting edge of modern blues music.
Their voodoo concoction of sound draws from blues, funk, soul and rock to create a sound that is set to take the world by storm.
Their explosive live performances have gained a cult following and a reputation for leaving the crowd screaming for encores from Bali to Burnley and charismatic lead guitarist Gugun has been hailed as `Indonesia`s answer to Hendrix.`
Whilst living in the Far East, bass-playing Jon sought new avenues for his musical ambitions and in his quest to push the boundaries of blues music, met local like-minded lead guitarist Gugun. The (then named) `Blues Bug` Band was born.
Having played the circuit of Jazz clubs and festivals in the Indonesian capital for some time, Gugun had already developed quite a following of his own but, with their combined playing prowess, they created a sound unique in its own right.
As a trio with former drummer Isman (the boss man), their performances were soon recognized by Billabong who had them representing the surfing brand as their home band in backpacker`s paradise Bali.
The band were invited on four separate occasions to the world-famous wave-seeking yacht Indies Trader to play private gigs for the likes of seven-times World surfing Champion Kelly Slater and were present during the filming of audacious surfing video `Young Guns II`.
Their success was soon appreciated by the music market and at the end of 2004 they released their first independent album `Get The Bug.`
MTV Indonesia soon got the Bug and had two videos in circulation on their music channels as the band`s reputation began to flourish.
With the dawn of 2007 came the band`s most auspicious year to date.
Alongside new drummer Bowie `a highly acclaimed session musician, the Blues Bug released their second album `Turn It On` on Sinjitos Records in 2007.
`Turn it on` was soon voted the voted no.1 blues album of the year while lead guitarist Gugun was voted no.1 blues guitarist in the whole of south east Asia in 2007 by MTV Trax magazine.
At this point the band realized the advantages of allowing their online fanbase to access their music and the 12 track album was also made available to downloaders via i`Tunes.com has been a great success.
The Band were forced to change their name from the Blues Bug to Gugun Blues Shelter (GBS) Because of an already established Greek band called the blues bug.
Their website www.Blues-Shelter.com, developed and maintained by Jon, has attracted online visitors from around the world and works to showcase videos of their live performances via video clips, inform fans of band developments and allows listeners to download their tracks.
But the group`s true love is playing live music and their burgeoning on-stage relationship drove crowds to hysteria at various Indonesian beach festivals including the annual Java Jazz festival where they whipped up such a storm they were immediately invited back and are due to appear again in 2010.
With Gugun and Bowie flying halfway across the globe to join Jon, the trio embarked on another 12 `stop UK tour at the beginning of the year (2009) causing a stir in most of the UK`s major cities including London, Manchester, Birmingham and Belfast.
Their now finely-tuned Blues, Soul, Funk and Rock-infused set featured funked-up high octane renditions of Stevie Wonder`s `Superstition` and Ray Charles` `I got a Woman` and combined with their own unique blend of compositions to ensure audiences from Scotland to Singapore remembered the name.
It seems everyone who comes across GBS can`t help going crazy upon hearing their infectious sound.

Prestigious Tours and Festival appearances to date :

2004 to 2007:
Kuta Karnival 2004, Bali
Bali Galeria 2004, Bali
Bali 5 stop tour 2004, Bali
Young Guns II Opening (Quicksilver) 2005, Padang
Kuta Karnival 2005, Bali
Quicksilver Event 2005, Padang
Kuta Karnival 2006

2007 to 2010 :
UK Tour Dec, 2007
Java Jazz, 2007
Jakarta International Jazz festival 2008
KL Blues Festival 2008, Malaysia
Singapore Timbre Arts event 2008, Singapore
UK Tour Aug 2008, Colne Blues Fest, Belfast Big River Jazz & Blues Fest
UK Tour Jan 2009, Skegness Blues Festival, 229 Club London, BBC World
Singapore GP Race event, Sept 2009
Jakarta International Blues Festival 2009
Java Jazz Festival 2010
Rolling Stone Magazine Release Party 2010
Singapore Rock & Roots Festival 2010 , Buddy Guy, Gypsy Kings, Jools Holland Band

Discography:
Get The Bug , The Blues Bug (Indie) 2004
Turn it On , The Blues Bug (Sinjitos Records) 2007
Set My Soul on Fire , Gugun Blues Shelter (Sinjitos Records [Unreleased]) 2009
GBS , Gugun Blues Shelter (Indie) 2010