Hailing from the Blue Mountains, Music Oz Blues/Roots finalist Claude Hay takes Do-It-Yourself to impressive limits. He builds his own instruments. He built his own house. He customized his tour van with a kitchen and a recording studio. And his musical approach is no different – you see only one performer, but the sound and music builds layer-bylayer until you have to wonder where the rest of the band is.

The Australian and US release of his second album “Deep Fried Satisfied” in late 2010 saw it rated as no. #5 on Amazons Blues Albums of 2010. The track “Miss You So” was the top 3rd Blues song of 2010 on Amazon’s Blues charts for the year. The album also shot to #9 on the Billboard Blues charts in early Dec 2010 following exposure on the NPR as well as charting at #21 on the Weekly National Blues Charts in the US upon release in September.

Claude Hay fuses slide guitar, sitar, bass and electronic percussion in a loop-driven performance that invokes the best of stomping traditional blues with a booty-shaking funk edge. His fresh take on roots and blues draws in a wide spectrum of listeners, but still has the chops for the blues enthusiasts.

In 2007, his first independently released debut album Kiss The Sky was the ticket he needed to perform at venues and festivals all over the world, including in the UK, Europe and the US. His new release, Deep Fried Satisfied, showcases Claude as the ultimate DIY musician, honing his craft with hook-laden song-writing and undeniable talent.

The inspiration for Deep Fried Satisfied was born out of the guiltridden love affair he had with fried food, which was magnified when touring the US in 2008. Claude’s particular affection to New York style pizza is the inspiration for “Get Me Some,” which follows the success of “How Can You Live With Yourself,” a head-bobbing blues tune that reached #1 on JJJ’s Roots Unearthed.

On the eve of the release for Deep Fried Satisfied, Claude recently signed to the independent US record label Ingot Rock, based in Asheville, NC. “Claude Hay is just the type of artist we're looking for,” says Ingot Rock owner Chad Corley, “he’s an amazing talent with international touring experience… we believe he has a high potential to appeal to a mainstream audience.”

Claude continues to tour relentlessly in Australia with his personally hand-crafted double necked guitar, Betty before heading to the the US to support the release in March 2011 including a show @ the internationally reknowned SXSW.

Get Me Some

claudehay — 20 May 2010 — At Blue Mountains Music Festival