Just Talkin' Blues

Sydney brothers Conor and Harry Lambrou blend Blues, R&B, Rock and their Greek‑Cypriot roots into a sound entirely their own. Classically trained but instinctive performers, they write, record, mix and master everything from their Northern Beaches home studio.

Their new single “You Won’t Call” is a raw, personal track about being let down — and the first taste of their EP arriving September.

Known for a huge “five‑piece” sound despite being a duo, their live shows feature looping, multi‑instrumentalism, improvisation and the energy they honed through years of busking. They’ve performed at Bluesfest Byron Bay, Indigo Blues, and supported Tones and I, Mental as Anything, and Lachy Doley.

The Lambrou brothers creating authenticity in a digital world — real instruments, real emotion, real performance.

Watch the official music videos for "You Won't Call".

© 2026. The Blues Hotel Collective

A deep dive into one of Australia’s most unique music experiences — a four‑hour rolling roots revue on a heritage steam train. This episode unpacks the Blues Train’s 32‑year evolution, from its boomer‑era beginnings to its modern push toward younger audiences, genre‑diverse programming, and partnerships with local businesses. We explore the artists who shaped its identity, the challenges of performing on a moving carriage, and the strategic shifts keeping this Victorian icon on track.

In this episode of Just Talkin’ Blues, we sit down with Sheyana and members of The Sheyana Band to trace a 12‑plus‑year journey from Tasmania’s blues roots to chart success in Sri Lanka and beyond. They unpack the new compilation album All the Best—a hand‑picked blend of award‑winning tracks from Big Love and Ricochet plus three new songs, including festival anthem “Fourth Valley Blues” and the deeply personal “Ricochet,” dedicated to lost friends.

We talk about the band’s evolving lineup and sound—where blues underpins everything from soul to punk and grunge—and how “simpler” music with space can be the hardest to play. Along the way, Sheyana shares stories of supporting Australian icons like Renee Geyer, Ross Wilson, and The Black Sorrows, the surreal experience of Sri Lankan tours in monsoon rain and tuk‑tuks, and the intensely human songwriting process that turns late‑night voice memos, trauma, and real life into songs that travel the world.

Hosted by: Kelvin Huggins

Presented by: The Blues Hotel Collective - your home for EVERYTHING BLUES.

Website: https://www.theblueshotel.com.au/

Keep the blues alive.

© 2026 The Blues Hotel Collective.

In this episode of Just Talkin’ Blues, we sit down with Victoria Music Hall of Fame inductee Barry Hills and powerhouse vocalist-songwriter Kelly Auty from Pepper Creek Revival to dive deep into their new album, It’s All Been Said. They unpack the band’s “thick salad” of influences—Americana, blues, country, folk, and rock—and how a burst of songwriting turned an unplanned project into a fully formed record where every track stands as a single, from the title track to “Back Glance” and the mandolin-laced “Remember.”

Barry and Kelly reflect on decades in the Melbourne blues scene, the magic of capturing a truly “live” band in the studio, and why they proudly stamp their work as made by human hands—no AI, just blood, sweat, and tears. Along the way, they share candid thoughts on the decline of live music culture, the fragmentation of albums in the streaming era, and what it means to keep making honest, human-centric art in a changing industry.

Hosted by: Kelvin Huggins

Presented by: The Blues Hotel Collective - your home for EVERYTHING BLUES.

Website: https://www.theblueshotel.com.au/

Keep the blues alive.

© 2026 The Blues Hotel Collective.

In this episode we're just talkin' blues with Christina Crofts, one of Australia’s most distinctive blues‑rock artists, a slide‑guitar powerhouse whose latest release Best of Bottleneck hit #1 on the Australian Blues & Roots Airplay Chart. She traces her journey from a musical childhood in Brisbane—accordion in the lounge room, guitar chords from her uncle Stan Coster—to finding her voice on the rockier edge of the blues.

Christina reflects on the profound influence of her late husband and mentor, guitarist Steve Crofts, whose riffs, guitars, and spirit still shape her sound. We explore her heroes David Lindley and Rory Gallagher, the wild energy of her live shows, and the enduring crowd favourite “Midnight Train.”

She also speaks candidly about today’s music industry: the brutal economics of streaming, the decline of physical media, and her concerns about AI’s impact on authentic creativity. Looking ahead, Christina is gearing up for more touring and a new album of original material—determined to keep the flame of real, human-made blues burning bright.

Discover more of Christina and her music at https://www.christinacrofts.com/

© 2025 The Blues Hotel Collective.