THE HIGH STREET DRIFTERS BIO 
The High Street Drifters are a bluegrass band from Victoria carving out a distinctive place in the Australian music landscape. Led by mandolinist Justin Vilchez and guitarist Daniel Watkins, the band features a rotating cast of some of the country’s finest bluegrass musicians on fiddle, banjo, and bass. Their sound delivers the drive and precision of modern bluegrass while reflecting the stories and landscapes they’ve grown up around.

Known for rich vocal harmonies, breakneck instrumentals, and heartfelt original songwriting, The High Street Drifters bring a fresh and unmistakably Australian voice to the genre.

Their self-titled debut EP established them nationally, earning the 2025 AFMA Award for Debut Album of the Year and a CMAA Golden Guitar nomination for Bluegrass Recording of the Year for the single Back to the Hills. Recent releases Words for Leaving and Snakes Reach received further CMAA Golden Guitar nominations, while the band are currently in the studio recording their debut full-length album and touring extensively.

WILLIAM ALEXANDER BIO 
William Alexander brings a fresh yet timeless voice to traditional Australian country music. His rich, soulful voice and heartfelt storytelling reflect a deep love for the old songs that shaped him, as well as the years he spent working the land across rural New South Wales. Every performance carries the dust, honesty, and emotion of those experiences.

In 2024, William released The Singing Stockman, a record that resonated deeply with audiences and critics alike, earning two Golden Guitar nominations at the 2025 Tamworth Country Music Festival. His rising profile was further recognised when he received the 2025 Thornton Young Award, supported by LWM House and the CMAA.

He closed out the year with a career-defining moment: winning the Golden Guitar for Bush Ballad of the Year, a testament to his authenticity and connection to Australia’s storytelling tradition.