Geoff Achison is Making a Scene

February 24, 2025

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Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Geoff Achison

Geoff Achison was born on Phillip Island, Victoria. He is the third of five siblings and was raised in the Victorian rural village of Malmsbury. His journey in music began when he discovered a forgotten old guitar beneath the stairwell of the family home. His trumpet-playing father enthusiastically found him a guitar teacher, and his first gigs were with his dad’s old-time dance band. The young guitarist displayed enough promise to attract the attention of local jazz musician Alan Watson. Through his new mentor, he was exposed to jazz and improvisation. At Watson’s suggestion, Geoff temporarily switched to bass-guitar, which provided him with a greater understanding of the rhythm section.

After gaining valuable experience as a bassist, Geoff developed a keen interest in American blues, which rekindled his passion for six-stringed guitar. In rural isolation, he was mostly unaware of the electronic effects employed by some guitarists and devised some of his own techniques to emulate the sounds of echo/delay, tremolo, and wah pedals, which contributed to a unique and inventive playing style.

In 1987, Geoff made the move to Melbourne and soon established himself on the scene, playing lead guitar for popular Australian blues performer ‘Dutch’ Tilders. In time, Geoff began to work on his own music, releasing his debut album ‘Big Machine’ in 1994. He represented Melbourne at the ‘International Blues Challenge’ in Memphis, TN, winning the coveted ‘Albert King Award’ in 1995. Encouraged, he set his sights on the world market and successfully established international touring routes in the USA and UK. To overcome the difficulties of bringing a band from Australia, Geoff began hiring local musicians to form a backing group when required. On his first extended overseas trip, Geoff received a beautiful new acoustic guitar from the famous Gibson guitar company and recorded his third album ‘Gettin’ Evil’ with a US version of his ‘Souldiggers’ band. Upon his return to Melbourne, Geoff was able to recruit an all-star group that featured some of Australia’s most celebrated musicians. With Mal Logan on keys, Roger McLachlan on bass, and Gerry Pantazis on drums, Geoff was finally able to realize his musical vision with The Souldiggers and built the group’s reputation with exciting and spontaneous live performances.

Geoff is equally adept at acoustic and electric styles. He can provide the full electrified experience with The Souldiggers or play a complete solo show with his superb command of the acoustic guitar. Geoff is also an all-round performer who delights in treating his audience to entertaining anecdotes peppered with his wry sense of humor. Whether acoustic or electric, his music is firmly steeped in the blues while injecting elements of funk, folk, country, & roots-rock into the mix.

Geoff has been a driving force on the Aussie Blues/Roots scene, inspiring and influencing many of his younger compatriots. He is also a respected teacher, presenting several workshops each year, and has appeared as a regular guest instructor at Jorma Kaukonen’s famous Fur Peace Ranch guitar camp in Ohio, USA. In 2020, Geoff was honored to be inducted into the Victorian Blues Hall of Fame.

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