Hussy Hicks

Story by Frieda McLoughlin
Thursday March 13, 2008

International Duo the Hussy Hicks are touring the Kimberley. They have already performed in Broome with their unique brand of acoustic funky folk music at the MAngrove Hotel. The gigs are part of a whirlwind tour that will result in the girls all but circumnavigating Australia, clocking up an impressive 10,000km-plus in their trusty van and playing a total of 23 gigs.
After Broome the girls played Fitzroy Crossing, the Kimberley Hotel, Halls Creek tonight and the Hotel Kununurra tomorrow, Saturday and Sunday before their final gig in Darwin.
THe Hussy Hicks are Leesa Gentz on vocals and Julz Parker on guitar and scine they formed in 2006 the girls have gone from strength to strength and from country to country. They can now boast having played on every continent and alongside an impressive range of superstars including Travis, Damien Rice, Tommy Emmanuel and Keith Urban.
This is their second trip to the Kimberley after supporting the Cat Empire in Broome last October and playing a stint at the Roey. I spoke to Leesa who was winding her way to the Nannup Festival down south at the time.
"It's fantastic to get on the road and really see the country" Leesa said.
"We toured Queensland, NSW and ACT before crossing the Nullarbor to WA.
"It's been great fun so far, we've met some really wonderful people along the way.
"We're lucky, so lucky to get to do what we love doing every day."
The gigs will be an opportunity for fans to hear a pre-release preview of their recently completed debut album, which they recorded with renowned producer Bill Chambers.
After Darwin, the girls fly off to do a string of shows around the world.
"We've been invited to perform at the Beijing (MIDI) Festival (the largest popular music festival in China) and we're really excited about that," Leesa said.
The girls will also perform in Europe, America, Asia and the Middle East before their feet hit Aussie shores again. THe girls ooze high energy and their musical curry of funk-gypsy, blues/roots and soul screaming is not to be missed. - Kimberley Echo

East coast duo the Hussy Hicks have been winning fans all over the globe with their acoustic funk folk music and are coming to Perth to introduce themselves to the West. After supporting The Cat Empire in Broome, the girls will be popping into town to perform at the Indi Bar tonight, Thursday 15 November, and to Mojo's on Sunday 18. The Hussies in question are gee-tar playin' wunderkind Julz Parker and soul screemin' Brisvegan Leesa Gentz. The gals have spent the last few years traipsing around the globe, performing gigs on every continent alongside superstars such as Tommy Emmanuel, Keith Urban, Travis and Damien Rice. Their sets touch upon funk-gypsy through to folk, country and high energy blues and roots. In face, Phil Emmanuel was recently quoted in Australian Guitar Magazine saying that "Julz must be the country's top female player". They are currently in the process of completing their first album - a mostly live collection of quirky tales, social commentaries and comical narratives due for release and a comprehensive tour early next year. Skip the rush. - Drum Media Perth

Red Hill rocker Leesa Gentz is back from overseas to perform in Fortitude Valley on Monday, July 16. Gentz will perform with Julz Parker as part of the quirky acoustic funk and folk duo the Hussy Hicks. After touring the Untied States, Europe and the Middle East for seven months last year, the Hussy Hicks returned to Australian stages late last year. They have been performing gigs up and down Australia's east coast ever since. The Hussy Hicks will perform at Rics, Fortitude Valley, on July 16. Visit www.hussyhicks.com.
- Westside News Brisbane