Kim Wainwright – guitar exponent and singer-songwriter from Perth Western Australia delivers a dynamic solo acoustic live set with masterful skill, expression and conviction. He’s hard to pigeonhole and able to weave seamlessly between musical genres such as blues, folk, soul, country and pop-rock. A nominee in the 2017/ 18 WAM (West Australian Music) Song of the Year country category, Kim released his debut multi-genre album ‘Retrospect’ in September 2017 featuring some of Perth’s finest musicians including Roy Martinez (bass), Ric Eastman (drums) and Tom O’Halloran (keyboards).
Before recording his album Kim had spent the previous two years touring Australia performing a stripped back solo show comprising acoustic guitar and vocal, embellished with acoustic stomp box and harmonica. The sound is remarkably rich, fluid and full due to his well-honed fingerstyle technique and forty plus years of habitual guitar playing. Although currently mainly a solo performer he’s equally at home playing electric guitar with full band or fronting an acoustic duo or trio.
A lifelong musical journey which started in the 1970’s has found Kim sustaining himself professionally as a performing musician since the 1980’s and guitar teacher since the 1990’s. His career has seen him play in all types of bands and as a solo artist. Highlights include:
2018 – West Australian Song of the Year Nominee (2017/ 18 Country category) for ‘Wanted Man’.
2017 – Debut multi-genre solo album ‘Retrospect’ released.
2003 – Inclusion of guitar instrumental track ‘Shadehouse Shuffle’ on the compilation album release ‘The Six String Superhour CD’ featuring the cream of Perth’s guitarists.
2001 – Performances at ‘Blues at Bridgetown’ music festival with ‘The Bluetonics’.
1989 to 1991 – Street performing through Europe.
1986 – Guitarist on the single ‘Wouldn’t Do That To You’ by ‘The Zoo’ reaching No. 2 on the indie charts.
1985 – Guitarist with ‘The Prefects’ who had previously appeared on Australian national TV program ‘Countdown’.
1980 – Guitar lessons with legendary Californian guitarist John Heussenstamm.
Living an enviable lifestyle of travelling and playing music all around Australia and sometimes overseas has left Kim with a healthy respect for his audiences, an insatiable appetite for music and a driving ambition to continue performing and evolving as a musician for a long time to come.
“When I discovered that Kim was from Australia I couldn’t believe it. The slide, and bluesy sounds coming from the track made me believe that I had found another Texas Blues artist.“
Chuck Stark, The Notorious Note, April 17th 2014
“The blues man from the West is in Alice Springs to play and be inspired.“
Cameron Boon, Centralian Advocate, April 5th 2012
“Fresh from last weekend’s Blues At Bridgetown Festival, Kim Wainwright is set to round out the month back in the region where his musical journey began, with a solo show that reflects a plethora of life-defining experiences.“
Busselton Dunsborough Times, November 18th 2011
