‘His natural charisma, cool guitar riffs and amazing voice lifted the group beyond being just a talented bunch of musicians’
Well known in local circles for the technicality of his vocal talent, the blending of chest and head voice and the fire and conviction of his lyrical content, it’s hard to believe that that voice was not Dusty Lee’s first instrument. A bi-product of hundreds of solo gigs and sheer hard work, Dusty executes a complete marriage between vintage-soul, vocal dexterity and his first love, the guitar.
Dusty Lee has been playing professionally since the age of 13. His singing, guitar playing, song writing and multi instrumental abilities have seen him perform on stages big and small across Australia and around the world. Among his achievements are three South Australian Music Awards and the honourable South Australian Voice of the Year (2017).
Over the past 10 years he's continued to work along side some of the best in the business, writing, performing, producing, whilst managing a touring schedule with his band Wanderers.
He’s owned the stage at award-winning WOMADelaide, the iconic open-air festival, championing cultural and creative diversity. And played to thousands at Adelaide’s Clipsal 500.
Dusty Lee has performed alongside John Farnham at A Day on the Green in 2012, performed at The Great Escape London in 2017 with Gang of Youths and The Rubens. He’s shared the bill with the Cat Empire, Daryl Braithwaite, The Angels and many more.
Most recently Dusty Lee played guitar for American multi-instrumentalist, singer and songwriter Nick Oliveri from Queens of the Stone Age at Melbourne’s iconic Cherry Bar. A highlight was Dusty Lee also taking on the vocals for the track No One Knows.
He supported Australian favourite Nathan Cavaleri on his recent tour. In Nathan’s Q+A with Dusty he says
“His confidence to be able to make such bold decisions comes from understanding his strengths and weaknesses … You can tell when an artist has lived a lot of life, and I knew he’d have some great wisdoms to share“
Read the interview here
2020 will see Dusty Lee collaborate with 5 time Aria Award Winner and 25 time ARIA nominated artist, Katie Noonan on her upcoming album. Katie scouted out Dusty Lee after a performance with his band Wanderers, the two quickly jumping on the opportunity to write together.
Currently Dusty Lee is playing shops with his daughter Etta Lou and about to tour once more with his band Wanderers, not just around Australia but the United States, for the first time.
To keep up to date with up coming tour dates click here.
“With lead man Dusty Lee cruising around the crowd throughout the night in an incredibly psychedelic blazer, the anticipation was rising for the headliners. After taking the stage with a groovy new song, Wanderers launched into crowd favourite and titular song from their debut EP Goddamn Anything, inducing energetic floor stomping and glasses raised high in the air. That beautiful blazer was thrown aside and what followed was Wanderers’ trademark symphony of moods- the shredding of guitar riffs, dreamy harmonies, funky bass and a general feeling of nostalgia.”
“Wanderers frontman Dusty Lee Stephensen took to the stage in a bright red jacket, matching red guitar and an Electric Light Orchestra T-shirt. The Adelaide band had a fresh new single to launch, Make It On My Own ...
… Stephensen was the true star of the show. His natural charisma, cool guitar riffs and amazing voice lifted the group beyond being just a talented bunch of musicians.'“
