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Photo: Debra Novak

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Interview with
FIONA BOYES

(15th September, 2025)

Interview by Dave Bruce

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WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW BELOW

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“I ain’t never seen a woman finger-pick a guitar like that since Memphis Minnie. She’s the best gal guitar player I heard in more than 35 years” — Willie ‘Pinetop’ Perkins, Grammy-winning Delta pianist

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Photo: Jason Rosewarne

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Few Australian artists have flown the flag for the blues on the global stage quite like Fiona Boyes. With a career spanning decades, international tours, and multiple awards under her belt, Fiona’s music has carried her from the swamps of Louisiana to the juke joints of Mississippi, and everywhere in between. In this in-depth conversation, split across two sessions, Fiona reflects on her journey, her craft, and her love for the blues tradition.

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Photo: Gina Milica

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Early Beginnings and the Call of the Blues

Fiona first picked up the guitar in her early twenties while studying at art school. “It wasn’t something I grew up with,” she admitted. “But once I discovered the blues, it was like a door opening that led to a whole world of history, culture, and sound.”

Inspired by the raw storytelling of Delta blues and the playful intricacies of ragtime, she honed her craft relentlessly. It wasn’t long before she was recording, performing, and gaining recognition, not only in Australia but in the United States — the very heartland of the music she loved.

Life on the Road – The Magic of Intimacy

Over the years, Fiona has played across 20 countries, from massive European festivals to tiny bars in Memphis. Yet, it’s not always the size of the crowd that matters most.

“One of the beautiful things about blues is how personal it is,” she explained. “You can be playing to thousands on a festival stage or to 20 people in a small room — each show has its own kind of magic.”

She recalled her time at Red’s Juke Joint in Clarksdale, Mississippi with particular fondness: “It’s a badge-of-honour gig. That kind of experience stays with you forever.”

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The Memphis Three – A Unique Collaboration

Australian blues has carved its place in Memphis thanks to Fiona and fellow winners of the International Blues Challenge solo/duo category, Jimi Hocking and Frank Sultana. Together, they now perform as “The Memphis Three.”

“It’s like songwriters in the round,” Fiona said. “We each lead songs, play on each other’s material, and tell stories. Frank brings this swampy blues feel, Jimi has his storytelling and mandolin, and I’ve got my guitars and cigar-box instruments. It’s a lot of fun.”

Inspirations and Dream Collaborations

Fiona’s influences run deep, and she lights up when speaking of the greats. Among them is Hubert Sumlin, guitarist for Howlin’ Wolf. “It wasn’t just his playing, it was who he was — so encouraging and kind. He’s someone I’d have loved to work with more.”

She also pays tribute to women who shaped the genre but didn’t always get their due: Jessie Mae Hemphill and Sister Rosetta Tharpe. “I would have loved to play with them. They brought such strength and individuality to the blues.”

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The Evolution of a Musician

For Fiona, the blues is not just a style of music — it’s a lifelong practice.
“Blues is like meditation,” she said. “You don’t just learn it once. Over time, as you live more life, it deepens. Every performance changes because you change.”

That philosophy feeds into her songwriting. Even as she releases her upcoming October album, she already has two more albums in progress: one returning to her ragtime and fingerpicking roots, and another brimming with high-energy party tracks complete with horns and a full band.

Milestones, Recognition, and Gratitude

Her travels have brought unexpected honours, from winning international awards to receiving the keys to the city of Clarksdale. Yet Fiona remains humble:
“You only get to be a performing musician by the good graces of the people who come to the gig. Otherwise, you’re just playing in your bedroom. That’s why I always try to be respectful and do my very best for an audience.”

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Photo: Cristina Arrigoni ‘Box & Dice’

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Quickfire with Fiona Boyes

To close, Fiona shared some of her personal favourites:

Album: Wicked Grin (John Hammond performing Tom Waits)
Movie: This Is Spinal Tap — a go-to in her mentoring work with young musicians
Place: Memphis, with its deep blues history
Food & Drink: King prawns from the Clarence River, enjoyed with champagne or cognac
Venue: Red’s Juke Joint in Clarksdale — though she also treasures the hospitality of France’s Cognac Blues Festival
Tattoos: None! Fiona proudly describes herself as a “clean skin,” admiring others’ ink but knowing it’s not for her.

Looking Ahead

As Fiona Boyes prepares for her upcoming releases and continues to tour, one thing is clear: she remains a passionate torchbearer for the blues. Whether playing in front of a festival crowd or a handful of fans in an intimate venue, Fiona gives everything to the music — and to the people who come to hear it.

Her story is a reminder that the blues isn’t just a genre; it’s a living tradition, passed down, reshaped, and reimagined with every song. And Fiona Boyes is right at the heart of keeping that tradition alive.

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Photo: Cristina Arrigoni ‘Voodoo in the Shadows’

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TICKETS AND INFO HERE

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Photo: Jason Rosewarne

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Follow FIONA BOYES
Linktree – Instagram – Facebook – YouTube

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WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW BELOW

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AMNPLIFY – DB