Full Bio

With FIVE albums under her belt and an iTunes chart-topping single, indie folk/blues songsmith, Jenny Biddle, wraps herself around her guitar, and like a marriage between body and instrument, she commands the guitar to talk “with uncommon skill and absolute self-assurance” (Syke, 2013). Her audience is compelled to join her on a voyage of passion and story in song.

JennyBiddlewebsize

Acoustic guitar-maker*, proficient pianist, recovering chocoholic, and harmonica squawker, our Aussie singer is now based in sunny Scotland preparing material for her sixth album, touring internationally, and practising the art of making a woodstove fire with wet wood.

jenyoungDestined to walk a musical path, a brief encounter with the ukulele at just 4-years-old lit the fire for Jenny’s obsession. Moving quickly to a lifelong love of the piano at age 5, followed by an ardent affair with the guitar, age 9. Original compositions soon followed, but from age 12 she fell under the influence of a rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle, regularly consuming 8 teaspoons of sugar in her cups of tea. Suffice to say, she received treatment for her addiction but has since discovered she’s a lesbian.

After a 4-year BA Dip Ed degree in her hometown of Sydney, she spent a mere two days casual teaching in primary schools. Realising 10-year-olds were taller than her; she threw in the towel, hit the stage, and released her debut studio album Chest of Drawers in 2009 at The Basement, Circular Quay. This album was met with universal praise; “Beautiful, no-nonsense folk music, with one of those great emotive voices that echoes just a touch of world-worn huskiness” (Dom Alessio, Triple), “… quite simply remarkable” (Trad & Now Magazine). It is reported she once received an email from a man requesting the dimensions and range of “chest of drawers” for purchase on her website.

Melbourne's Best Busker 2010

In the company of Tracy Chapman and Passenger, Jenny’s Hindsight single HIT #9 in the iTunes Songwriter Charts in 2013. She also held the prestigious title of Melbourne’s Best Busker 2010-2012 for 3 years running, along with the People’s Choice Award at the Tamworth Country Music Festival Busking Championship 2012.

Hero In Me Official Music VideoHer third album Hero in Me was funded by loyal fans and produced by Thirsty Merc’s former guitarist and legendary producer, Sean Carey. “From the growls of her more country tracks to the way she lulls you in to her ballads….. It has sunshine, clouds and places in the sky to get to” (Mariella Mejia – Gaydar Girls). The music video for the popular title track, written and directed by Rebecca Greensill (Flying Man Films & Home & Away), sees Jenny in a Lyrca superman suit, with lumps in all the wrong places.

Crowd-funded again by eager fans, her Cover to Cover album bears witness to Jenny’s musical dexterity, delivering ingenious cover renditions by Joni Mitchell, Leonard Cohen, Cold Chisel, Fleetwood Mac and more, while she plays her self-made baritone guitar, harmonica, haunting piano and more. Be sure to witness live blues/roots version of Michael Jackson that sees her exploding into a 10 minute sweltering guitar improvisation.

buyall5albums2Her most recent release, a double live album, Live at Selby Folk Club, has been toured Australia-wide, the UK and Ireland. Playing over 200 gigs a year since 2006 Jenny has supported the likes of Lloyd Spiegel, Jen Cloher, Tony McManus, Jeff Lang, Cotton, Keays & Morris.

Live on stage, with “a banter which is honest, direct, personal, affectionate, funny and utterly engaging” she has “that peculiar knack for making a large space like a lounge room” (Syke, 2013), her audience laughs and cries in all the right places. There is an indisputable sophistication in her lyrics that touches upon issues that affect us all; love, loss, hopes and fears, but also delves into the dark honesty of eating disorders, sexuality, depression, only to be lifted by her unexpected comical interjections between songs. The guitar nuts are astounded by her ability to intertwine bass notes, percussion and melody so seamlessly that one could believe there are more instrumentalists on stage.

Celebrating over two decades of guitar playing, our striking female guitarist hosted workshops at festivals such as Port Fairy Folk Festival, and was sponsored by APRA as the 2013 Artist in Residence at Macquarie University lecturing about alternate guitar tunings, songwriting, performing, and advanced guitar techniques. Despite her vast experience, she spends her spare time in front of the mirror, continuing to develop guitar facial expressions in an effort to boost her meagre Guitar Hero score beyond 22%.

Jenny Biddle is a striking, refreshing and sweet person. She’s a master of her craft. Own her complete catalogue and catch her live now!

Jenny Biddle's Self-Made Guitar

*Jenny’s self-made acoustic guitar was part of a first-ever Australian Tone Woods Hand-made Guitar Exhibition called ‘Beyond the Trees’, held at Monstalvat, Melbourne 2013 with the support of Chris Wynne & Thomas Lloyd Guitars.Jenny Biddle's Self-Made Guitar

Testimonials

“Songsmith, Jenny Biddle leads with her heart, braves the hard topics, lightens dark corners with her delightful humour, endears her audience and leads them on an engaging journey through the broad canvas of her music. She is at home on all sorts of stages and deserves a place alongside Australia’s cream of songwriters. Above all, she is an extremely talented and hardworking musician, whose dynamic performance is a must for all music lovers.”

~ Bones Mackinnon, The Swamp Dog Show – Casey Radio 97.7FM

 

“…soothing quality to it and wraps itself around you like a warm blanket…”
“…Biddle’s warm and inviting vocals begin on a very personal journey…takes you through the highs and lows of love, but without the melodrama that often accompanies it.”

~ Dominique Wall, Inpress Magazine

 

“...most impressive solo…”

~ Mark Dearborn [fan/musician]

 

“Jenny Biddle creates an impressive landscape of music to paint her words upon. A compelling and honest storyteller, I’ve listened to all three albums back to back, and back to back again.”

~ Kerryn Fields [Musician]

 

“We have loved and followed Jenny Biddle’s music for some time, so choosing her to be part of our wedding celebrations did not take a lot of thought.  Jenny has an individual and distinctive sound that we adore, and clearly all ages enjoy as our guests are still raving about her long after the event.
 
If you are planning a big day and striving to make it a success, our words of wisdom are…  a successful event appears informal and spontaneous.  In reality it takes meticulous planning and your selection of music is pivotal.  Jenny will bring a casual and easygoing presence, in accord with her humble approach to provide a very special ambience.
 
We love Jenny and her music and cannot recommend her too strongly.  Thank you again Jenny for being part of our very special day.”

~ Geoff and Carole Kirwood [fans]

 

southernfm“An effervescent storyteller with pop and fizz…..a tiny bundle of talent.”
You can feel the thoughtful introspective lows and the joyful soaring highs all in the space of a five minute ride…a powerhouse.”

~ Mark Missen 88.3 Southern FM

 

“Jenny Biddle is a fabulous little Aussie talent. Her original songs & brilliant guitar playing make her a wonderful artist to watch & listen to. We’ve traveled far & wide to watch Jenny Biddle perform – she’s fantastic! I own every CD Jenny Biddle has ever recorded & I love them all!”

~ Deb Bourke [fan], Trish Ayers [fan] & Caroline Vogels JOY FM 94.9

 

“...intricate and complex guitar playing, beautiful vocals, perfectly matched by her fantastic song writing…”

~ Grant Hart [fan/musician]

Awards

2013:

Hindsight single #9 on the Singer-Songwriter iTunes Charts

2012:

Melbourne’s Best Busker 2012

People’s Choice Award for the 2012 Australian Country Music Festival Busking Championships (Tamworth)

2011:

People’s Choice Award at the Ballina Coastal Country Music Festival Busking Competition

Judges Vote at the Ballina Coastal Country Music Festival Busking Competition

Runner Up of the Tamworth Country Music Festival Busking Championships (non-country category)

Melbourne’s Best Busker 2010 – photo by Raditya Fadilla

2010:

Melbourne’s Best Busker 2010

Grand Champion of the Korumburra Buskers Festival

First Place, Melbourne Songwriter Competition

2009:

Just Guitars Best Artists Award – Port Fairy Folk Festival

2002:

First place, Pink Faces – Blackstump Festival

Design Tech Award – Portable Electric Guitar