The Short Blurb
Hot Potato Band
Hot Potato Band’s larger-than-life brass collective is a breath of fresh air with a focus on setting the bar for energetic and interactive musical performances. With two studio albums under their belts, they continue to explore the sonic possibilities of acoustic instrumentation. Finding home in Sydney, Australia, they have spent the last 10 years independently curating and touring shows across Australia, New Zealand, Europe and the Middle East. HPB’s music transcends genres, creating a vibrant and inclusive atmosphere at every show. They have reinvented the traditional brass band as a modern day dance machine and visual spectacle to complement their strong sense of pride for their fun-loving, organic, and quirky musical nature.

Our Story
In June 2009, a fresh high school graduate named Simon Ghali embarked on a musical adventure that would later shape Hot Potato Band. Having spent his teenage years forming, organising and performing in bands, Simon seized an opportunity to perform at a wine festival on the New South Wales south coast. The performance came with an unusual challenge: no access to electrical power. This limitation inspired Simon to assemble a band of friends, composed entirely of brass and percussion instruments, drawing inspiration from the lively street brass bands of New Orleans. The newly formed band had only a short time to prepare for their debut. By the day of the performance, they had managed to learn four songs. Initially, they assumed that the audience would move on after brief wine tastings. To their surprise, the crowd was captivated and stayed for the entire event, prompting the band to improvise and workshop their engaging performance dynamic. Amongst the conga lines, chanting, limbo and the outrageous brass arrangements of popular songs, this spontaneity led to the name "Hot Potato Band," symbolising the way ideas and energy were passed around among the members like a hot potato. The creativity and interactive energy born from that day would later become the defining feature of the band’s identity. What was intended as a one-off show quickly turned into something much bigger. The enthusiastic reception at the winery resulted in numerous inquiries, filling the band's calendar with events. Over the proceeding five years, Hot Potato Band honed their craft, performing at council events, weddings, and community activations. With an ever-growing lineup of talented musicians and friends whom they’d met along the way, the band’s hallmark became their ability to transform any setting into a high-energy, fun-filled experience, leaving audiences invigorated and entertained. By 2013, Simon’s vision for Hot Potato Band began to expand. Having collaborated on several original music projects, he wanted to bring original compositions into HPB’s repertoire. This new direction led them to a music festival on the NSW mid-north coast, where they debuted a song Simon had written called “This Is How It Should Be.” Designed to match the band’s infectious energy and audience engagement, the song’s call-and-response elements made it an instant hit. Encouraged by this success, the band recorded and released the track, marking their transition into original music. Dylan Wright, a friend of Simon’s and a talented local Sydney vocalist, joined the band, adding his voice to the recording and later contributing to their first original studio album, Paint The Town. In 2015, the band’s evolution continued as they adapted their acoustic street performances for amplified stages. Their debut appearance at Queensland’s Woodford Folk Festival was a pivotal moment, solidifying their reputation as a high-energy act capable of electrifying festival audiences. This period of growth also saw a restructuring of the band’s lineup, focusing on musicians committed to the band’s long-term vision, with Dylan Wright passing on the vocal baton to Ben Goldstein. Hot Potato Band worked tirelessly, touring across Australia and New Zealand, performing at prestigious festivals, and sharing stages with renowned artists. Their second studio album, Stitch Up, released in 2017, encapsulated their fun-loving spirit and performance style. The album set a new standard for the band, and their relentless touring schedule helped them reach international audiences. Hot Potato Band’s larger-than-life brass collective became a breath of fresh air in the music industry, known for their energetic and interactive performances. Their focus on pushing the boundaries of acoustic instrumentation set them apart as they blended genres to create a vibrant and inclusive atmosphere. Reinventing the traditional brass band as a modern-day dance machine and visual spectacle, they showcased their fun-loving, organic, and quirky musical nature. From their home base in Sydney, Australia, they spent over a decade independently curating and touring shows across Australia, New Zealand, Europe, and the Middle East. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 brought the band’s ambitious plans and tours to a sudden halt. It was then that Hot Potato Band pivoted to education. Leveraging the teaching experience of several members, including Peter Orenstein, the band launched workshops aimed at inspiring young musicians. These workshops became a meaningful way to share their knowledge and passion for music, fostering the next generation of artists in Australia. As pandemic restrictions eased, Hot Potato Band reignited their international ambitions. They resumed performances in New Zealand and embarked on their first European tour. In March 2025, the band is set to release their third studio album, Far From Sure, marking another milestone in their illustrious journey. From their humble beginnings at a winery to becoming a global sensation, Hot Potato Band’s story is a testament to creativity, resilience, and the unifying power of music. Their journey continues to inspire audiences and musicians alike, proving that with energy, ingenuity and authenticity, anything is possible.