8 Ball Aitken has toured twenty countries performing his blues, soul, swamp-rock and slide-guitar. He’s earned a loyal fanbase from his live shows and internet videos, while paying his dues as a guitarist, singer, songwriter and producer. 8 Ball Aitken represented the Blues Association of South East Queensland at the 2026 International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tennessee, USA with his band ‘8 Ball Aitken & Taya Chani’. The event was held over several nights on Beale Street and attracted 130 acts from around the world. 8 Ball Aitken & Taya Chani made the semifinals.
8 Ball Aitken won second place in the 2021 International New Orleans Cigar Box Guitar Festival. He has also taken home two Queensland Song Awards for blues and country album of the year from his album ‘Rebel With A Cause’.
8 Ball has lived on the Sunshine Coast for the last five years where he runs a recording studio in the Glass House Mountains. 8 Ball regularly tours Australia and USA. He moved to Nashville, Tennessee, USA between the years of 2012 to 2020 and worked with many of the best in the blues music business today.
8 Ball is back with a brand-new collaboration album ‘Nightbird’. He wrote and produced the recording with soul singer Taya Chani. The title-track ‘Nightbird’ immediately hit #1 on the Australian AMRAP Regional Charts in March 2025 for two weeks in a row as did their second single ‘Miss You The Most’ in May. 8 Ball & Taya’s signature harmonies and groovy guitars have proved to be a winning combination making them festival favorites.
8 Ball’s previous two self-produced albums ‘Ice Cream Man’ & ‘Ice Cream Man 2’ both hit #1 on the Australian Blues & Roots Charts.
Tour dates, tickets, videos, merchandise and more are all available from 8ballaitken.com
WHAT THE CRITICS SAY…
“8 Ball Aitken demonstrates that the blues are alive and well Down Under with this deep-in-the-pocket collection of modern blues and blues rock that’s built atop a swamp blues structure.” Chicago Blues Guide
“For a guy from Australia, 8 Ball Aitken really has the Delta in his bones… I wouldn’t be surprised to find Mississippi mud on the soles of his shoes.” - Gonzo Okanagan
“A lovely, enjoyable collection, start to finish, with the inevitable few songs that stand out, and invite you to hit the replay.” Blues In Britain – Graham Munn
“A mixture of balladry, wordplay, and cutting edge guitar, Swamp Blues 2 from 8 Ball Aitken deserves to be in everyone’s collection.” American Blues Scene
"Ice Cream Man is a splendid listen from start to finish. I highly recommend it.”
Philly Cheeze’s Rock & Blues Reviews
"I first saw him when he was young, hairy and straight outa Brisbane. Now he’s all growed up and going global. Unstoppable!”
Ross Wilson (Daddy Cool, Eagle Rock), Melbourne, Australia
"8 Ball is not an act any band wants to follow! ....even a 5 piece band will have to do some quick and serious note pounding to get 8-ball's vibe off the stage, it just hangs in the air long after he is gone.....he's a freakin solo red headed infector...!"
Mitch Lind, owner/promoter of the Riverhawk and Stringbreak Music Festivals, Florida, USA
“This is outstanding. The way it should be done. You have a new fan.”
Ray Wylie Hubbard (Snake Farm), Texas, USA
Event Venue
Bone Idol Brewery, HOTEL MOFFATT, 14 Delacey St, North Toowoomba QLD 4350, Australia, North Toowoomba
Tickets
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.
