The Embers

The Embers are an Australian roots-fusion band formed in Launceston in late 2005 by mainstays Michael Attard on acoustic guitar, lead vocals and harmonica; and Katy Humphries on saxophone, violin and backing vocals. They perform classical, jazz, folk, country and traditional Mexican music. They disbanded in 2008 and reformed in 2011, they released their debut studio album, Bright, in March 2015. History The Embers were formed by friends late in 2005 and aimed to compete in the National Campus Band Competition (NCBC). Duncan Ewington of Sauce Magazine caught their performance at the Art School Ball of the University of Tasmania in Hobart in December; he described how, "The Embers were tight and original – I loved the panpipes and the charango guitar, violin and stand-up-bass – what a combo." They supported artists, the Violent Femmes, the Whitlams, Marcia Hines, the Red Eyes, True Live and the Exploders. The Embers played the MS Fest and Falls Festival during 2006. In October of that year they travelled to Sydney for the NCBC. They won the national title against fellow state winners: Regicide (New South Wales), the Strange Little Girls (Queensland), Cellar Door (Victoria), Kingswood Country (Australian Capital Territory), Avedis (South Australia) and the Dee Dee Dums (Western Australia). The prize provided "$8,000 worth of band equipment... plus 3 days studio time and 3,000 mastered and duplicated CDs." Previous entrants include the Vines, Eskimo Joe, george and the Vasco Era.