The Short Blurb

Simon is a highly accomplished band leader, drummer/percussionist, and songwriter known for his deep passion for music & performance. With an entrepreneurial spirit, he began managing and booking bands at the young age of 15, showcasing his drive and dedication to the music industry. Founding Hot Potato Band in 2009, he continues to operate as band leader, manager, booking agent, songwriter, show producer, and “man of many hats”, especially those that most musicians don’t like to wear. Throughout his life he has performed with diverse & eclectic groups across genres such as Samba, Ska, Folk, Indie-Pop, Celtic, Afro-Cuban, World and Jazz-Funk, sharing the stage with renowned Australian and international artists. As a respected booking agent and professional consultant, he supports numerous acts throughout Australia and New Zealand, leveraging his industry insights to guide and connect artists. Beyond performing, he is committed to education and actively engages with the community through workshops, and leading ensembles in schools. Simon has forged a unique path in the Australian music industry through sheer dedication and hard work balancing logistics with creativity. He has pioneered innovative business strategies and demonstrated a passion for ergonomic and sustainable team management systems, empowering individuals and fostering collaboration. Outside of music, Simon finds solace in nature through hiking and travel, drawing inspiration from the world around him. His multifaceted career and contributions exemplify his unwavering dedication, and drive to create meaningful & authentic musical experiences.

James picked up a pair of drum sticks in 2007, and has since become an accomplished drummer and percussionist within the Australian music scene, having had the chance to tour and perform both nationally and internationally in styles ranging from rock, electronic, hip hop, funk, jazz, blues and progressive metal. In 2010, he joined the Hot Potato Band as the bass drum player, which gave him the chance to further refine his skills within the funk, ska, pop and second line brass worlds. In 2023, James also took on the role of merchandise coordinator.  Through the skills and experience he has developed through his professional career with Hot Potato Band, James has guided up and coming drummers throughout Sydney, Australia on how to develop their drumming abilities and become strong and qualified players in their own right.  Outside of Hot Potato Band and music, James’ passion lies in giving back to the community, and helping those experiencing homelessness and living rough in any way that he can. In 2022, he launched a clothing brand called Heart & Flame Apparel, which donates all profits to organisations and groups who work to end homelessness across Australia. He loves interacting with the community, and when not performing, can be found at meal services in Sydney with groups like Plates 4 Mates.

Pete is a seasoned baritone saxophonist and passionate music educator. Previously a high school music teacher, Pete's love for music and teaching is infectious. He holds a Bachelor of Music/Education from the University of New South Wales and a Master in Education (Educational Technology) from Macquarie University, reflecting his keen interest in the intersection of music and technology in learning. In his dual role at HPB, Pete serves as the director of the 'HPB in Schools Program'. Balancing these roles, he not only ensures smooth band operations on the stage but also helps facilitate HPB to bring the joy of live music to countless students. Beyond HPB, Pete extends his influence on the future of music education. He serves as a casual lecturer at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and as a music education consultant, using these platforms to inspire and guide both educators and students. When he's not immersed in music or education, Pete embraces the challenge of ultra-running. He thrives in the exhilarating solitude and discovery of the untamed Aussie bush. Despite his love for touring and performing in new cities, Pete deeply values the stability and comfort of home, always appreciating the chance to return to his family life.

James is a saxophonist with a bold, modern sound. Beyond performing, James has always had a deep interest in composition, songwriting, arranging, improvisation, and education. He is one of Sydney’s most sought after session musicians having established himself as a versatile section player and soloist in all styles from pop to rock, R&B and jazz. He was the tenor saxophonist for the Australian leg of Taylor Swift’s 1989 World Tour. He has performed, toured or recorded with Jessica Mauboy, Tones and I, Human Nature, Jimmy Barnes, Conrad Sewell, Delta Goodrem, David Campbell, Dami Im, Kim Churchill and Ms Murphy. He is a vibrant and natural performer on stage and is experienced in large scale concerts such as Splendour in the Grass and Woodford, and television broadcasting such as the ARIAs and the TV Week Logie Awards. You're as likely to see him in a small jazz bar in Sydney as an arena or stadium show. James performs, writes and arranges for a range of Sydney bands. He has been with Hot Potato Band since 2011, appearing on its debut EP, then Paint The Town (2016) and later Stitch Up (2018). He has toured with them throughout Australia, New Zealand, the United States and the Middle East. As a composer, songwriter and arranger, James imbues each project with a distinct creative perspective. His focus is always on gesture, colour and emotion, never allowing his expertise in music theory and harmony to get in the way of a universal musicality. In moments of artistic freedom, James is known for adding 'Mackay-isms': statements defying convention and playing tricks with the listener's expectations. As well as being a musician, James holds degrees in Law and Arts (Media + Communication) from the University of Sydney. He enjoys poetry, literature, creative writing, and dabbles in sound design, flute and EWI. James' unwavering commitment to his craft, combined with his diverse interests and continuous pursuit of artistic growth, makes him a truly exceptional and multifaceted musician in the Australian music scene.

Ben Goldstein is a versatile artist known for his roles as the lead singer of the Hot Potato band, a skilled songwriter, and a producer of film music. With a rich and diverse background that includes living in the Middle East during his youth, Ben's songwriting and melodies reflect a unique blend of influences. Before embarking on his musical journey with Hot Potato Band, Ben was an accomplished athlete, and this athletic background has brought a new layer of energy to the band's live performances. Hot Potato band is renowned for their outrageous and engaging audience interactions, pushing the limits of the performer-audience relationship. Ben Goldstein has also forged connections with some of the biggest record labels in the world, allowing him to work with various artists and contribute to catalogues across the music industry. His experiences and talents have truly shaped the distinctive and captivating performances that he and Hot Potato Band deliver to their audiences.

Paul grew up in Sydney’s northern suburbs and from the age of eight started playing the trumpet in his school band and in community bands from the age of nine. From an even earlier age his parents instilled in him a love of music which has driven his passion to perform, teach and create music in as many styles, genres and formations as he can think of. After finishing high school, Paul studied Jazz Performance at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and quickly established himself as a competent and reliable performer in Sydney’s live music scene. During his professional career he has played jazz and big band, rock, funk and reggae, theatre and classical music, and even experimental and electronic music. He has also toured extensively around Australia and even to New Zealand, Malaysia, Thailand and the United States.  Paul joined Hot Potato Band in early 2018 and discovered early on that it was unlike any other band he had played in before. He loves the challenges that the band’s unique take on musical performance creates, and he also loves the creative freedom the band give him with writing, arranging and choreography. Aside from playing the trumpet, Paul also helps with the technological hurdles the band faces and as a mixing and mastering engineer for recording projects. Outside of music, Paul enjoys DIY projects, cooking, and reading to his daughter.

Jacob is the trombonist in Hot Potato Band and chief over-dancer. He grew up in Sydney’s inner west and made the most of his opportunities through school with The Arts Unit ensembles and School’s Spectacular. Post school he studied at the Sydney Conservatorium and after taking an interest in brass bands, he picked up the sousaphone. In 2019 he travelled over to Denmark to audition for The Danish Radio Big Band and toured with the band in 2020. Outside of Hot Potato Band he also maintains a versatile skillset performing music from trad jazz to oompah music to modern pop. When not away on tour he loves finding secret pockets of Sydney and enjoying a picnic in a park.

Jimmy Whelan is a professional saxophonist and educator who has dedicated his life to musical improvisation. Although Jimmy has been an active touring musician for decades, holds two degrees in performance/improvisation pedagogy and has held masterclasses in universities across the world, no-one truly knows where he originated from. Self proclaimed historians have speculated that his origins are tied to an ancient saxophone playing civilisation, lost in the desert over the ages. They paint a picture of ornate brass walls glistening in the sun, surrounding a city of bells and sound. Based on writings recovered from sections of the city, they worshipped a single deity known only as 'The Piece of Mouth'. The worship of this deity involved the ritualistic sacrifice of locally grown cane - the quality of which was under constant scrutiny. This therefore makes it likely that either Jimmy or his immediate ancestors were once cane farmers. An opposing theory has, however, recently emerged. It has been noted by a small group of conspiracy theorists that Jimmy's emergence onto the music scene coincides with the collapse of a distant star, thought by this group to contain the soul of the evil Lord Falgor. It is written that from the beginning of time, Lord Falgor dominated two regions of space with an iron first. Enslaving all that opposed them and feeding on the souls of the conquered. After a millennia of war, the combined opposing forces managed to trap Falgor's soul in a central star, finally bringing peace to these regions of space. If the collapse of this star has released Falgor into this world in the form of Jimmy, I implore you to stop him at all costs. To save humanity from the evils of Falgor he MUST be detained and returned to the core of a star. Otherwise he was likely just a saxophone playing cane farmer.

Luke is the Sousaphone player and Production Manager with Hot Potato Band. He began his musical journey in primary school playing Tuba in the band program and fell in love with performing. Growing up he involved himself in a large variety of wind bands and orchestras which lead him to pursue a career as an orchestral musician. During his Bachelor of Music (Performance) at SCM, Luke began listening to American brass bands such as Lucky Chops and Rebirth Brass Band, inspiring him to help start bands such as Dogma and The Gris Gris Combo where he began honing his musical skills on the Sousaphone. In 2019 Luke joined Hot Potato Band, quickly learning the world of production and what it takes to put a brass band on a stage. Outside of HPB Luke loves to spend time camping, hiking and in the ocean.

Miles Rooney is a trumpet player and composer. Based in Sydney, Miles performs across pop, jazz, improvised music, and contemporary music scenes. His personal practice and writings focus on the embodied experience of improvisation and the interaction between performer and environment. As well as Hot Potato Band, Miles performs with Don Walker, the Andrew Gurruwiwi Band, Caravana Sun, The Strides, and his own ensemble, Jiem.

Kali Gillen is one of Sydney's most sought after Saxophone players.