ARTLESS BASTARDS.
EPISODE 1.

LELAND KEAN

Leland is the Artistic Development Manager for Merrigong Theatre Company. He has over twenty years professional experience as an Director, Producer, Designer, Dramaturg, Curator and Arts Manager. Prior to joining Merrigong in 2015 Leland was the Artistic Director of the Tamarama Rock Surfers Theatre Company. During his decade long tenure with the Rock Surfers he programmed and produced over 100 new Australian works and established both the Old Fitzroy and Bondi Pavilion Theatres.

Since graduating from the NIDA director’s course in 1997 his career has been committed to the development and production of new Australian work and artists. He has directed premiere’s and productions of the work of many of Australia’s most prominent writers including Sue Smith, Brendan Cowell, Toby Schmitz, Aiden Fennessey, Tim Minchin, Travis Cotton, Stephen Carlton, John AD Fraser, David Williamson and Lachlan Philpott.

ROBYN MARTIN

Robyn Martin grew up in remote coastal desert town of Ceduna. Like all her siblings, Robyn was called Spin by her teachers at Ceduna Area School after her father’s nickname. She started playing bass at age 13 in family band Spineffex. The band played country festivals and SA pubs and clubs around the same era as Nullarbor family band The Dead Ringer Band (Kasey Chambers).

At age 16 Robyn found herself adjusting to culture shock in the alternative culture hub of Lismore, taking time off school to tour with her sister Jodi Martin, opening for The Waifs, Arlo Guthrie, Wendy Matthews, Glen Hansard and The Frames.

Robyn completed a Bachelor of Contemporary Music at Southern Cross University, majoring in composition and bass guitar. During her time at university, Robyn travelled to Central Australia working with Music Outback alongside musician Greg Sheehan, delivering regular week long workshops in remote communities Ampilatawatj and Utopia, north east of Alice Springs.

In 2005, Robyn first visited Candelo and was helpless against the lure and romance of monthly bush dances and a thriving hub of like minded country bumpkin hippy musicians. Robyn recorded with Heath Cullen and The 45 on the album ‘Storm Was Coming and I Didn’t Feel Nothing’ and continued to tour venues and festivals across Australia including Woodford Folk Festival, Byron Blues Fest, Fairbridge Festival, Cygnet Folk Festival among others. As a bass player Robyn has performed with UK bluegrass outfit Flats and Sharps, Claire Anne Taylor, Benji and the Saltwater Sound System, Greg Champion, Andrea Kirwin, Den Hanrahan, Melanie Horsnell, Jodi Martin, and Kate Fagan.

Robyn has been involved with many varied local bands in the Bega Valley including quirky original outfit The Wild Martins, Rob n Sam and The Drift, rockabilly band The Hoops, rock steady group Rudy Raquetteers and funk soul reggae band The Pocket which is fronted by Robyn on bass and vocals.

Robyn has recently formed a new group with fellow Candelo musicians Kate Burke and Melanie Horsnell, The New Graces. This group will involve Robyn’s first formal unleashing of her original songs on the world.