LOCAL musicians Justin Lewis and Chris Dane will warm up the audience when the Small Halls Festival rolls into Inglewood next  week.
Billing themselves as The Ruminators, Justin and Chris will share the stage next week with UK folk artist Lucy Farrell and Australian blues-roots stalwarts Hat Fitz & Cara. 
Chris and Justin have known each other since Justin was five years old, with Chris teaching Justin to play guitar. “I’ve never had any formal lessons, so any mix-ups we’ll blame on Chris” Justin said. 
“We really enjoy playing together in front of people so we’re looking forward to this. It’ll be a little different to what we’re used to because we’re opening for professionals, and we are very much amateurs, but we’ve been practicing hard.” Justin said.
The Ruminators originated at a Kingower music night over 10 years ago when Justin decided he wanted more people on stage with him. 
Since then, the guitarists have been playing publicly, something Justin says he has grown to enjoy over the years, at a variety of places and events. 
Last year they played at Justin’s step-sister’s wedding accompanied by a drummer, a trumpet player and the bride providing vocals. “That was an interesting set up, we had the bride in her wedding dress up on stage performing with us.” Justin said. 
“We’re cutting back a bit for the Inglewood show, it will just be Chris and I with our guitars on stage.” He added. 
Justin’s involvement with the Kingower nights came about after he and his wife purchased Nimmitabel in Inglewood and began renovating it. 
“I didn’t expect how involved with the community we’d become when we purchased the house, but it’s been fantastic.”
“I knew nothing about Inglewood until we brought the house, and everyone has been so welcoming so it’s great to be able to play for the local communities, especially as part of the Festival of Small Halls.” Justin said. 
The duo will be playing songs from singer-songwriters who have inspired them for their 15-minute set. 
“I’m definitely an amateur but I love playing with other people, the way all different sounds come together and make music is what I love and being able to share that is amazing,” said Justin. 
The Small Halls Festival is travelling across regional Victoria to bring musical entertainment to locations often left out in favour of bigger cities throughout March.