Mezz

LIVE MUSIC – TODD COOK

FREE ENTRY

LIVE MUSIC UPSTAIRS AT THE MEZZ

(Downstairs seating also available for those unable to get upstairs)

*TODD COOK*

Doors Open 6.00pm

MUSIC FROM 7PM

Visit Musician Website Here >

Todd’s emotive lyrics, earthy tones and raw appeal connect to a wide variety of listeners.
His songs float from intricate folk fingerpicking styles to driving rhythms that stir the soul.
His stories of Australian landscapes and people are accompanied by mesmerising
instrumentation and a depth that constantly engages and entertains.
​
 “There are some great songs off this album.” Sarah Howells JJJ Australia.
​
 “Gorgeous pure tones,” Three Weeks Edinburgh – UK
“Todd has a passionate voice and plays a mean folky guitar.” Fried Gold Music
(Inverness, Scotland)
 
Todd Cook has six studio releases; ‘So Long (2008), ‘Hunting Ground’ (2010),  Brilliant
Green (2012) and, The Silent Boat (2018), Salt of the Earth (2022). Heal Plant Grow
(2025) Drawing inspiration from both the lush green fields of Gippsland, where he grew
up, and the rich, remote areas of the Northern Territory and, recently, the ancient streets
of Edinburgh. Each song reveals a meeting place for sounds, techniques and lyrics that
connect north to south, remote to mainstream, and traditional to contemporary. His
music takes the audience on a journey from dark, turbulent songs, witnessed first-hand
to lively acoustics of joy and celebration.
​
Todd’s releases have been well received with wide airplay on national radio Triple Js-
“Roots n All”, Community stations such as P.B.S Roots of Rhythm, Gippsland FM, and
internationally on ABC (Scotland), Cross Blues (France), and Radio Vilafant (Spain).
Todd has cut his teeth on some of Melbourne’s best live music venues with headline
shows at the Evelyn (Brunswick) and The Espy (St. Kilda). He has also played at long
list of festivals around Australia, including: Tablelands Folk Festival (2024, 23), Boolarra
Folk Festival (2024), Kiama Folk By The Sea (2023), Sale Music Festival (2023),
Warburton Folk Festival (2022), Yackandandah Folk Festival (2011) Mt Beauty Music
Muster (2014, 2011), Boolarra Folk Festival (2014, 2010), Natimuk Frinj (2022, 2013,
2009) and The Mornington RAW Music Festival (2012) that feature some of the best
artists in Australia.
 During 2012/2013 Todd was based in the U.K, taking his music to a wider audience. He
performed in the 2012 and 2013 Edinburgh Fringe Festival, where he received four stars
for his solo show. He has also played headline shows at the Crescent Arts Centre
(Belfast, Northern Ireland), The Galway Fringe Festival (Galway, Ireland), Ribfest2013
(Madrid, Spain), Flummoxed Music Festival (South East England), Jocktoberfest
(Inverness, Scotland) as well as performing at some iconic venues in London, such as
the Half Moon Putney and 12 Bar Club Soho. Each venue he has performed in has seen
people moved by the depth of his writing and his outstanding instrumentation.
​
 

​’Brilliant Green’, Todd Cook’s third release is a collaboration between local artists and
musicians, it reflects the story of recovery after the Black Saturday fires, which effected
so many people in the local area. Teaming up with poet Rodney Williams, musicians
Dave Cuthbertson (The Animators) and Ben Franz (The Waifs). Todd has created a

track that vividly describes an inspiring image of regrowth and hope after the devasting
Black Saturday Fires.  The E.P consists of 4 tracks, recorded, mixed and mastered by
David Cuthbertson at Sound Farm studios Drouin.  All songs feature Todd’s unique
hand-built Tarrant guitar as the vehicle for his open guitar style fingerpicking.
​
Fire been all around, Fire Left no sound
Fire takes what it needs, black charcoal and brilliant green.

Todd’s release, ‘ The Silent Boat’, Celebrates the 150th anniversary of the first
Australian Cricket team (also the first international sporting team) to tour England in

1868. The new EP, ‘The Silent Boat’, to conveys this epic and relatively untold part of
      Australian History. The team, predominately made up of indigenous players from
      Western Victoria, displayed outstanding sportsmanship and skill. Their story is a beacon
      of hope in a dark page of Australian History. The Silent Boat E.P,  was recorded, mixed
      and mastered by Robin Mai (John Butler- Sun Rise over Seas and Augie March- Moo
      you Bloody Choir) at Woodstock Studios Melbourne. The list of world class musicians
      who also performed on the recording – Danny Mckenna (Jeff Lang) on drums, Ben Franz
      (The Waifs) on double bass and Alex Burkoy (Tin Pan Orange) on Violin – helps take
      these well-crafted songs to the next level.
       
      2022 saw the emergence of the new band- Todd Cook and the Rufous Whistlers. The
      Rufous Whistler is a native bird to East Gippsland and is found across Mainland
      Australia. This small but mighty bird arrived in Todd’s backyard following the recent
      Black Summer Fires. It would sing every morning, filling the landscape with a proud song
      and melody. With performances at the contemporary Bruthen Blues and Arts Festival,
      Black Cockatoo’s rural show and a number of community events in East Gippsland,
      Todd Cook and The Rufous Whistlers are already proving they are in demand. Todd’s
      unique storytelling and emotive lyrics are supported by a solid foundation of harmony
      and rhythm, built on friendship during hard times. These songs and performances
      promote hope, regrowth and unison of communities. This is Todd’s Fifth studio release
      with all other CD’s receiving praise and recognition locally and internationally with airplay
      on Triple J  
       
      LIVE REVIEW- THREE WEEKS EDINBURGH U.K
       
      Monday’s lunchtime offering is from Melbourne’s singer-songwriter Todd Cook. An
      acoustic guitar/ didgeridoo combo opens the set in style, and Cook soon introduces his
      vocals into the mix, revealing gorgeous pure tones, finest in the top of his range. His
      songs are endearingly personal, like journal entries of his homeland experience,
      including an almost fatal bush fire. Cook’s list of musical accomplishments increases
      throughout the set, as he adds a mouth organ to give a raw, Springsteen-esque edge to
      his acoustic melodies. Tip for promoters: give Cook a late performance slot; his talent
      warrants a packed-out bar of cheering spectators.
      Malones Irish Bar, 3-27 August, 12.00pm.
      Three Weeks rating 4/5 | [Christy Brown]

Yakandandah
Mt Beauty
Boolarra
Kiama by the Sea
Tablelands Folk Festival
East Gippsland Winter Festival
Bruthen Blues Festival
Natimuk Fringe Festival
Mordialloc Food and Festival
Mordialloc Multicultural festival
Mordialloc Harvest Festival
Edinburgh Frigne Festival (Scotland)