reviews

photography

biography

bio in brief

‘Two solo songs to open her set really captured the attention of the growing crowd and stamped McKenna as a songwriter of class & a singer of tremendous emotive power’.
Live Review. The Corner Hotel. IN PRESS

So is it the tear drenched alt /country acoustica of MAKE ME WONDER (1993), the sexy blues/roots angst of TAKE ME TO THE PLACE (1998) or is it the folk/rock with a twist of jazz/ pop of BOOM BAM (2003) that we’re likely to hear from Tess in performance?
The answer is that it’s all of the above.

Tess has released three albums & two EPs, & is described as ‘one of Australia’s greatest talents’ with ‘a sublime voice’ [FORM GUIDE], & her music as ‘uniquely now & Australian’ [JUICE MAGAZINE]. Make Me Wonder was awarded Best Album & Tess, Best Newcomer by Mike Daly (The Age) & Rolling Stone summed it all up with this review:

‘…It’s five years since McKenna released March, & three years since The One Way...
This is too long for a singer of this talent’.
ROLLING STONE

Take Me To The Place attracted similar accolades: ‘…There isn’t a song here that is less than brilliant’.
JUICE MAGAZINE

  And continued with the release of Boom Bam: ‘…The album is the work of a gifted artist’.
  THE AUSTRALIAN

On stage and in the studio Tess has worked with some of Australia’s most talented musicians, engineers & producers, including, Chris Wilson, Matt Vehl (Charles Jenkins), Ashley Davies (Matt Walker & Ashley Davies), Peter Luscombe (Rock Wiz, Black Sorrows), Barry Stockley (Peeping Tom), Michael den Elzen (Dead Star, Rebecca’s Empire), Nicky Bomba (Bomba), Nick Smith (The Black Sorrows), Peter Jones (Dead Star, Lisa Miller), Mike Letho (Rock Wiz SBS), & Brendan Gallagher (Karma County, Jimmie Little).
Tess’ most recent collaboration was with ARIA award winning producer Shane O’Mara (The Audreys, Lisa Miller) as co-producer on her critically acclaimed 2003 release, Boom Bam.

As well as sharing the stage with a diverse list of Australian music luminaries including ARIA Hall of Fame inductee Joe Camilleri, Tess has supported Australian and international artists including Nick Cave, Lucinda Williams, Roseanne Cash, Renee Geyer, Dave Graney, & The Go Betweens.

Early band formations were indie rock/pop three piece The Right Furniture, & later alt-country darlings The Western District.
Recent outings have seen Tess stretching out with her most recent band, The Shapiros.

Tess has performed on national radio & television & has showcased her music from as far afield as the Woodford Folk Festival in Queensland and the Tamworth Country Music Festival in NSW, to The East Coast Roots & Blues Festival in Byron Bay; from the Melbourne Concert Hall to Austin’s SXSW Festival in Texas, USA.
Tess' music can be heard in Australian productions such as Sea Change & Neighbours, in documentaries, films & yes, even in department stores.

Check  www.myspace.com/tessmckenna for gig updates & music

BUXTON WALKER MANAGEMENT CONTACT: andrew@buxtonwalker.com
	PO BOX 2197 St Kilda West Victoria 3182 AUSTRALIA P +61 3 9537-7155 F +61 3 9537-7166

discography

ITUNES Catalogue Uploaded (HEAD/2006)
TESS MCKENNA - ALBUMS/SONGS BECOME AVAILABLE TO PURCHASE ONLINE

                                          

BOOM BAM (STYLETONE/HEAD) CD ALBUM (2003)
PRODUCED BY SHANE O'MARA & TESS MCKENNA

TAKE ME TO THE PLACE (STYLETONE RECORDINGS) CD ALBUM (1998)
PRODUCED BY MICHAEL DEN ELZEN & TESS MCKENNA

MAKE ME WONDER (LITTLE HORSE/ABC) CD ALBUM (1993)
PRODUCED BY BARRY STOCKLEY & TESS MCKENNA

THE ONE WAY - CASSETTE EP (1991)
PRODUCED BY NICK SMITH

MARCH (X-RAY) VINYL EP (1988)
PRODUCED BY NICK SMITH


COMPILATION CDs - VARIOUS ARTISTS

                                           

In The Flesh (Harry/Stein) Head On 05 (Head Records - 2005) Various artists include Ash Grunwald, Joe Camilleri

The Woodstock Sessions. (2000) It Aint Me Babe (Bob Dylan) Songs of Bob Dylan: Various Artists – Executive Producer Brian Wise. Artists include Joe Camilleri, Chris Wilson, Mark Ferry, Stephen Cummings

Fall To Sleep (T. McKenna/Jen Anderson) Lullaby & Goodnight (1996) Flip Records Various Artists include Paul Kelly Joe Camilleri, Don Walker, Paul Hester, Vanetta Fields, Colin Hay

Loneliest Day In December (T McKenna) The Blue Album Various Artists ABC/EMI (1996) &
Home for Christmas ABC/Phonograph (1994) - Various Artists.  Artists include Paul Grabowsky, Slim Dusty, Marc Hunter, Renee Geyer, Grace Knight, Broderick Smith, Doug de Vries

Faded Hearts (T McKenna) Sweethearts of the Radio Various Artists (1994) ABC/Phonogram Artists include Jane Saunders, Shanley Del, Anne Kirkpatrick, Gina Jeffreys, Renee Geyer

The End Of A Rope (T McKenna) The ABC Country Store Various Artists (1994) - Live performance Artists include, Lee Kernaghan Gina Jeffreys Anne Kirkpatrick Jane Saunders Brent Parlane The Kanes Tanya Kernaghan, Colin Buchanan  Greg Champion

Gippsland Train (T McKenna) Late Night Café ABC/Phonograph Various Artists (1993)
Artists  include, Renee Geyer, Kavisha Mazzella, Tommy Emmanuel, David Bridie

Gippsland Train/The End Of A Rope (T McKenna) Promotional Single ABC/Phonogram (1993)

Sincerely (T McKenna) - ABC/Phonogram (1993) CD Single

BOOM BAM - (STYLETONE/HEAD 2003) PRODUCED BY SHANE O'MARA & TESS MCKENNA

' -- 10 tracks of punchy pop-rock-country struts. McKenna's accomplished voice leaps from gutsy pub rock to smoky jazz. Pop the Question is reminiscent of 4 Non Blondes' melodic belligerence while the overt sexual imagery and dark truck-stop foreboding of All You Need wouldn't be out of place in a David Lynch film. Two cover songs supplement McKenna's lovelorn lyrics. Blondie's In the Flesh is paced slow and sultry and McKenna's leisurely cooking highlights the lyrics and harmony. 
..........the album is the work of a gifted artist .........'
THE AUSTRALIAN

'This Melbourne singer really knows how to put a song together, turned with strong melodic hooks and fleshed out with meaty guitar and drums. The first few tracks are a demonstration of pop/rock prowess, and although the critics and radio programmers have raved - rightly - about McKenna's achingly beautiful cover of Blondie's In The Flesh - slow tempo, wistful voice and pedal steel guitar - it's by no means alone in quality. Falling Into The Sun is a fine song, and even better is Pop The Question, with this very tasty stanza: "Well you know we love the way you look/We love the song/ we love your latest hook". She has a voice that belongs on record and this stripped down rock - though not sparse - packs a punch. Shane O'Mara has brought his enormous skills to the production and guitar work, giving this the polished treatment it deserves. .....a hugely enjoyable album'
Australian Financial Review, National

TAKE ME TO THE PLACE (STYLETONE 1998) PRODUCED BY MICHAEL DEN ELZEN & TESS MCKENNA

‘there isn’t a song here that is less than brilliant; the playing & recording is outstanding & McKenna herself is one of the best singers in the country…Uniquely now & Australian’
Juice Magazine, Australia

'...One of the standouts "So Long", is a textbook case of what can be done with attitude, space, mood, harmonica and slide guitar. 
Elsewhere mean, dehydrated guitars and clunky drums stomp all over dreamy vocal textures'.
RollingStone

'Tess McKenna is one of Australia's greatest talents. A sublime voice'  
Form Guide Magazine

MAKE ME WONDER (LITTLE HORSE 1993) PRODUCED BY BARRY STOCKLEY & TESS MCKENNA

'Her vocal skill is awesome & under appreciated, with purity of tone & an ability to handle technically difficult movements in the melody line with apparent ease…Tess McKenna is a local artist of world-class quality '
Niche Music Guide

It's five years since McKenna released March, & three years since the One Way. This is too long for a singer of this talent.'
Rollingstone, Australia

'Make Me Wonder makes it clear without a doubt that Tess McKenna is an outstanding singer & songwriter'
Drum Media, Sydney

THE ONE WAY (1991) CASSINGLE/EP PRODUCED BY NICK SMITH

MARCH (1988) X-RAY LABEL VINYL/EP PRODUCED BY NICK SMITH