Kristen Lee Morris & The Dirty Snakes

Kristen Lee Morris has forged a reputation as one of Australia’s most unique and captivating modern blues/roots musicians. His songs cut to the heart and on stage with his rusty guitar he tears the house down.

It is blues music at its core, dragged straight from the swamp, but Morris’ songs have a freedom and range that also draw on roots and rock styles. Additionally, he has proven that his distinct guitar-playing and raw musical grit does not come at the cost of losing song-writing and lyrical ability. Not content with relying purely on grooves and solos to send his message, Morris’ words and stories inject life and emotion into his music that is rarely seen in the world of blues. From Chris Whitley, Neil Young to JJ Cale and Steve Earle—you can hear it all in Kristen Lee Morris’ musical stew.

In 2014 Morris released his skull-rattling, Kasey Chambers-produced debut album Ruins which struck a chord with blues, roots and rock lovers alike. Here was a guy that could write a break up song and, at the same time, shake the walls.

"Morris blew me away with his raw blues that kicked up metaphorical dust while at the same time cutting an emotional line straight to the heart." - Post To Wire

Morris shared stages with Chambers, The Blind Boys of Alabama, Charlie Parr, and Hayes Carll before he and partner Sarah Humphreys brought their Eagle & The Wolf collaboration to life. Their critically-acclaimed, self-titled debut record as a band featured lead single Mama, Son & the Holy Ghost which received national airplay.

2018 was the year of Morris’ second solo album, a collection of songs that once again re-wrote the rulebook on modern blues. Morris’ raw swagger and charm is heard in full flight—so much so that Double J chose the single ‘Cowboy’ as Australian song of the year on their Tower Of Song program.