Ernie Van Veen

Artist’s Profile – Ernie Van Veen

Ernie Van Veen is a singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who has had a career in music

going back to the 1960s. He writes and performs songs about love and social justice. Ernie’s style

has been described as a cross between Bruce Cockburn and Gordon Lightfoot. He performs

mostly on acoustic guitar and lap-slide Dobro or Weissenborn and he has a voice that can range

from a husky whisper to a balls-out roar.

Ernie moved to Culburra Beach in 2013, but spent 40 years in Canberra and is originally from

Canada. He started playing bass in his father’s folk band in the mid sixties, where the toured

through Canada and the USA.

After moving to Australia in 1972, he recorded with and/or performed with a number of Aussie

legends, including Dutch Tilders, Phil Manning, Ross Ward, Geoff Achison, Richard Steele, Anni

Piper, Brian Fraser, Mick Reid, Tribe World Ensemble, DJ & The KarismaKatz, Man Bites Dog, The

Blues Cowgirls and others.

Van Veen’s solo CD, One Tiny Life was released in 2004 (Newmarket Music). Mumble and Shout

Volume One was released in 2009 and his latest album, The Devil You Know, was released in early

2014. Mumble and Shout Volume Two is expected in 2016.

Comments/reviews

“…all I can say is, bloody hell… these guys can cook!. I’ve heard Ernie solo before and thought he

was a great solo performer, but to see him out front of his band was another experience altogether.

From the originals through to covers (such as a blistering rendition of the Beatles “Come

Together”) the Van Veen band showed what a powerhouse talent they are.“

—David Le Roy, Rock’n’Roll Scars—

“Van Veen musters up a lot of class and depth of emotion. A cerebral, good listening experience.“

—Ian Stephen, Rhythms Magazine, Australia—

“Ernie Van Veen & his band were, as always, a tight, energetic and well-oiled outfit.“

—G Miller, Aussie Muzak—

“I honestly haven’t heard [slide] guitar work as soulfully and masterfully played as that in a long

time.“

—Chris Bishop, UK Film and Music Producer—