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10 December, 2008
Happy Blues For Guitar Man

JOE Valenti was days out from playing at the Point Cook Blues Festival when a serious car accident dashed his hope. It was February and Valenti and his wife were driving down Sharps Road in Tullamarine when a truck came out of nowhere. "The car was pretty much totalled and ended up on its side," he recalls. "My wife and I were both taken to hospital in ambulances. "Thankfully, my wife was pretty much OK, but I ended up getting a fractured C6 vertebrae in my neck and ended up being in a neck brace for the next two to three months. "I never made it to work that day and I couldn't play the festival. I was really looking forward to it." It has taken plenty of time for the Westmeadows resident to get his strength back and be ready to be the frontman and guitarist he once was. Now, two months out from the Point Cook event, Valenti is well and truly ready. "I am really looking forward to getting down to Point Cook and doing what we should have been doing earlier this year," he said. "I guess it wasn't meant to be, but hopefully, fingers crossed, this February will be meant to be and I won't get hit by another truck." The Point Cook Blues Festival on February 15 will feature great music along with food, wine and children's activities. The blues festival attracted more than 2000 visitors to the historic homestead earlier this year and is a fund-raiser for local charities, including the Rotary Club of Laverton/Point Cook. Other performers that will feature are The Mannish Boys, Sweethearts, Blues Dukes, Andrea Marr Band, Jimi Hocking Blues Machine and international act Michael Charles. Information and tickets: visit www.bluespointcook.com/

By Lisa Forman (Werribee Banner)

3 December, 2008
Cold Snap In Melbourne

Hmmm, maybe Melbourne blues band Cold Snap could have chosen a better name to endear themselves to their home town, like Tropical Holiday maybe.  However, my bet is they named themselves after the Albert Collins title giving you an insight into the style of music they play.  Either way, their electric blues has been winning them waves of new fans and a residency at the Nighthawk Blues venue, which is where Cold Snap will be recording their first live album this Friday night.  The band claims that, 'the request for an album has been overwhelming.  We figured the quickest way to give our fans what they wanted was to do a live recording at Nighthawk, our shows there always get the whole joint jumpin'.'  Nighthawk Blues is at 114 Nepean Hwy, Mentone - $10 entry.

Blues 'n' Roots with Martin Jones (Inpress Magazine)

23 November, 2008
Live Album Recording

Due to popular demand Cold Snap is scheduled to record their long awaited first live album at Nighthawk on the 5^th December.  Their fan base and shows seem to be growing in stature and gathering more and more momentum as their popularity increases.  So much so, that the request for an album has been overwhelming.  'We figured the quickest way to give our fans what they wanted was to do a live recording at Nighthawk, our shows there always get the whole joint jumpin''.  Cold Snap has recently secured a residency at Nighthawk that will see them perform there on a monthly basis throughout 2009.

For your opportunity to be part of Cold Snap's live album recording make sure you get down to Nighthawk on Friday 5th December at 9pm.  Nighthawk, 114 Nepean Highway, Mentone; $10 Entry

20 October, 2008
Hot Tamale and Cold Snap !

Cold Snap certainly made an impression on the crowd at the Clifton Hill Hotel on Saturday night when they were special guests at the Hot Tamale Babe CD Launch Party for Jeannie Lushes & the Blues Boys.  Cold Snap kicked off the proceedings with their classic Chicago Blues Sound. Joe Valenti led his cast with his older vocal sound.  However, with such tender years on his side there is only better things to come for these guys.  Cold Snap would like to take this opportunity to thank Jeannie Lushes & the Blue Boys for letting us be part of their launch party. We all had a ball and wish them all the best with their CD sales.

19 October, 2008
Nighthawk Blues...We're Back!

Cold Snap are proud to announce you'll be seeing a lot more of them at Nighthawk Blues from now on! After a killer show last night that had people out of their seats as soon as they kicked off their first song, right until the final note was played.  The new owners of Nighthawk Blues were so happy that they're thinking of booking Cold Snap on a regular monthly rotation for 2009. So be sure to get down to Nighthawk again on the 8th November to find out what you missed out on last night!

13 October, 2008
Fun For Open Minds At Fairfield.

SPIRITS were high at the annual Open Mind Fiesta in Fairfield.  About 35,000 people enjoyed the weekend sunshine and listened to bands such as Busted Onions and Cold Snap and grazed on food from Station St restaurants.  The fiesta is a collaboration between the Mental Illness Fellowship Victoria and the Station St Traders Association, promoting a healthy attitude towards mental illness and promoting local trade.

Mental Illness Fellowship chief executive Elizabeth Crowther said the day provided just the right mix of fun and stigma-busting education.

She said new features, such as a photographic exhibition in which 28 secondary school students highlighted the normality and humanity of those with a mental illness, were a great success.  Were hoping to expand this project next year ... it really changed students attitude to mental illness, Ms Crowther said.  Handsome, healthy, employed and in a steady relationship, Mitchell Fairbanks was among 10 living books sharing their stories in order to break down stigma.

If you love high quality blues music, then mark Saturday 18th October in your diary now!

Jeannie Lushes & the Blues Boys are celebrating the long awaited release of their "Hot Tamale Babe" CD with a Launch Party at the Clifton Hill Hotel. It is going to be a night when musicians get together on stage and celebrate in style.

Opening the night are special guests Cold Snap who have been leading the race in Melbourne for some time now with their House Rockin' Chicago blues; led by Joe Valenti and his cast of talented muso's.

Special Guests to be supporting Jeannie Lushes & the Blues Boys are: Jimmy Sloggett (Sax), Dave Birtwell (Guitar), and Mr. "Harp Man" Luke. The night will have a rhythm section combined with the talented Glen Simkin (Bass) and both Ray Tully and Rob O'Toole (Drums) back to back for the first time ever.

There will also be a few other surprises thrown in for good measure, so be sure to get down for what is guaranteed to be a great night of high quality blues here in Melbourne.

Tickets are selling at the Clifton Hill Hotel prior to the night where credit card and cash facilities are both available. Tickets will also be available on the night, unless sold out.

Clifton Hill Hotel, Queens Parade, Clifton Hill, 8pm. $10 Entry or $20 with CD for One Night Only!

18 August, 2008
R.I.P. Warren Hall
It saddens me to say that my good friend, Musical Director and amazing Pianist Warren Hall passed away in Cairns tonight (18/8/08) after his long battle with cancer. An upcoming memorial service for Warren is to be held at this stage in early September. The Melbourne music scene will be much the lesser for his passing.

I had the privilege and honour to play/sing with Warren when in "Off The Cuff" for a few years. I was always in awe of not only his musical knowledge, but his ability to make it all look so easy. I am definitely better for knowing Warren and will cherish all the gigs we shared together...it was truly an honour to play beside him. He was a true inspiration for many Melbourne musician's and the Melbourne Music Scene won't be the same without him. I'm sure he carried that smile with him right to the end. What a champ!

R.I.P. Wazza

You will be sadly missed mate, Joey

15 July, 2008
Check out our New Video!
Cold Snap

Finally, we have video footage of Cold Snap! This was recorded live on Asylum TV in late March 2008 and certainly was an important gig for the guys.

Only two months prior to this show Joe was involved in a serious car accident that saw both him and his wife hit by a truck. Joe received a fracture in his neck, while his wife walked away with minor injuries. Prior to this night Cold Snap had not played together for a good couple of months as a result of Joe being in a neck brace recovering from his injuries. This night actually saw him arrive to the gig wearing his soft collar, only to take it off for the set and put it back on as soon as the show ended.

To say it was an important gig for the guys is an understatement. Even though there had been no rehearsals prior to this show while Joe was recovering, the fire was still evident and it was simply great just to be back on stage together again.

Cold Snap has since commenced gigging around town again and are certainly making a serious name for themselves among blues enthusiasts. Be sure to get down to one of their gigs to witness one of Australia's hottest live blues acts who must be seen live to be truly appreciated.

9 July, 2008
Double Booked!

Unfortunately our gig this Saturday at Nighthawk Blues has been double-booked. Cold Snap will no longer be playing there this Saturday night. The Substitutes will be playing there this Saturday instead. Keep an eye on our gig guide for new Nighthawk dates.

19 June, 2008
Bye George

This Sunday's gig at George's Blues Klub will be Cold Snap's final performance there. George's will be closing next month and will no longer be a live entertainment venue. Cold Snap's final gig at George's is sure to be another great night, with a few surprises/special guests thrown in for good measure.

Cold Snap would like to take this opportunity to thank both George and Rhonda for their ongoing support over the past year. It has been a great venue to play at and will be sadly missed when they eventually close their doors in July.

Thanks again George & Rhonda!

16 June, 2008
Nighthawk Blues Sensation!

Last Saturday night's gig at Nighthawk Blues was something to behold. Special thanks go out to all the people who braved the cold weather and made the effort to head out and see the show. Even though it was cold outside, Cold Snap went about warming the place with some cool tunes inside. We even had the pleasure of hearing some of their new original songs for the first time, all of which were very well received from an appreciative crowd.

By the end of the night the whole place was on their feet, hollering and demanding that they keep playing yet "another" song. It's safe to say it was all worthwhile braving the cold to see a Cold Snap do their thing. They are fast making a name for themselves as one of Melbourne's premier blues bands. Cold Snap will be back at Nighthawk Blues again next month on the 12th July to do it all over again. So make sure you get down to see the show.

1 June, 2008
Cold Snap on TV.

For all of you out there who have a television that can actually pick up Channel 31 in Melbourne, this blog is for you!

COLD SNAP will be performing live on Asylum TV on Channel 31 on Tuesday 10th June at 11pm. The show will then repeat again that week on Wednesday 12pm and Saturday 12pm.

This performance was captured in March earlier this year and was actually Cold Snap's first gig back after a car accident saw Joe come away with a fractured C6 vertebra in his neck and months of wearing a neck brace. As a result they hadn't had the chance to play/rehearse together in the build up to this gig, so to say this night was a significant one to the band is an understatement.

Cold Snap have commenced gigging around Melbourne again since this performance and hope to have an album recorded later this year.

Dont miss it!

18 May, 2008
We are on Facebook

Are you on Facebook? If so, you'll be glad to know that Cold Snap now has their own page on Facebook. Click on the link below and become a Fan now.  Cold Snap's Facebook