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At the age of 16 I started singing with a band called the
Howling F.B's Jamie Kasdaglis, Shane McNeil and co. we were
a rockabilly band more or less with a little bit of Michelle
Shocked and Rickie Lee Jones covers thrown in. We played venues
like The Patch Coolangatta, The Dolphins Hotel Tweed Heads,
Maggie Moore's Lismore, The Playroom Tallebudgera, The Indy
Grande Prix Surfers Paradise and a few Billabong surf staff
parties and Lot's more.
After my 18th birthday I moved to Sydney
I sang with a couple of bands and did some back up singing
for artists such as Tina Muir. At age 20-21 I did occasional
cabaret, worked from Sydney to Cairns. After two years baby
break, one night in a small desert town in Western Australia,
I was sitting on my steps and heard my next door neighbours
singing all the Maori songs my mum had sung to me as a child,
it made me cry. I'm not me when I cannot express myself through
music. I started singing at home more for myself again and
once at the pub out there in the dessert, it was time to perform
again.
When I came back home to the Tweed, I joined the Band Crab
Claw. Bob Symes, John Carr, Robin Walsh and John Sutton all
helped me to regain my confidence, which I will not forget.
We played together at places like Seagulls, Surfers Beer Garden,
Kingscliff Jazz Festival, Byron Bay Beach Hotel and we where
Bondi Cigars supporting act several times. I also preformed
lead vocals with the Jazz band the Living Room, still grooving
at venues such as Versace, Gold Coast. Working with the boys...Jamie
Kasdaglis (prev. Howling F.B's), Paul Wheat, Dean Vitale and
T, was also a confidence builder for me. We played at weddings,
Mermaids on the beach at Burleigh heads, Sylvester's on Chevron
island and Dreamworld. Through Jamie I met Wylie Reed, one
of Australia's Great blues musicians, I will always hold close
to my heart the times shared on stage with someone who gives
so much to his audiences, music is a part of his soul. With
Wylie I sung at the Loft at Chevron Island, a guest spot with
him at the Gympie Muster in the Blues tent, a day to remember
(if not for Lil' Fi it would not have been possible , Thank-you)
and Broadbeach Blues Festival. As fate should have it I meet
back up after all these years with Nadia Sunde who later asked
me to be interviewed on ABC Coast Fm 91.7 for the EP Jake
my brother and I have put together.
I
realised at an early age that music sent me to a higher level
if I was feeling low. It engulfs all of me, and as I got older
when I performed and interpreted music in my own way, it often
sparked an emotional response within those that where listening.
I'd like to think that is soul connecting, I love music that
creates emotion and a physical response.
Making
my Debut EP, which is now available, has been healing for
me to say the least. My brother Jake Cunningham whom without
his writing skills this EP would not exists and also percussionist
Ben Dears both formally from punk band Ozmo. We have been
playing at venues such as The Soundlounge, the Living Harmony
Festival, Byron Bay Community Centre with Jack Thompson and
the Byron Bay Vista Social Club who we thank for letting us
play at the Ewingsdale Hall and the opportunity for me to
sing with Corey O'Connell and his Uncle, Mick O'Halloran famous
for their raw magical folk music and writing.
Over the Last Few years we have played at Beautiful festivals
such as Wintermoon, supported friends when launching their
Cd's the likes of the Hubba Dudes. I Have done guest spots
at many venues with Corey O'connell, Imbil Acoustic Music
festival, Madass Folk Club to name a few and had a wonderful
time performing at many private functions.
You can also purchase the song ''Spokes in the Wheel' written
by Corey O'connell it was featured on Oztracks for some time."The
Gift "a woman's song is the name of the album, available
through www.mothersmilkbank.com.au and leading music and book
stores some of the other performer's on the album are Waifs,
Marcia Howard, Rose Bygrave, (these two women are just so
inspiring if you get the chance to see their solo acts do
so for even with all there international acclaim with Gonna
they still are so kind,down to earth and giving), Missy Higgins,
Kristina Olsen, Nadia Sunde and Stringmansassy to name a few.
The album is a celebration of music from women artist in support
of the establishment and maintenance of the Australian Mothers
Milk Bank and Every CD sold is going towards this much needed
health facility to save the lives of many premature and sick
babies for I'm sad to say we are one of very few countries
that do not have what is needed to keep theses babies alive
pasteurised mothers milk.
With the arrive of my brother Jake Cunningham back from London
and Ireland and the Birth of Ben Dears Baby Jet, we are now
back into recording mode for our first album don't Know how
long it we take, but I know it will be a lot of fun.
If
you want to catch some of our new songs come along and see
us at the Madass Folk Club on Thursday 23rd of July hope to
see you there Zardi.
The musicians I'd love to thank for their inspiration and
conviction are Joni Mitchell, Rickie Lee Jones, Michelle Shocked,
Bob Dylan, Ella, Billie, Sarah Vaughan, Fats Waller, Dee Dee
Bridge Water all the Jazz & Blues greats which sounds
have filled our hearts and ears, Aretha Franklin, Bonnie Rait,
ACDC, Janis Joplin, Elvis, Yassie Girl, Carly Simon, Carol
King, Cat Stevens, Bread and Nina Simone to name a few.
Whether it is in the shower, in the car on a stage or just
walking down the street music can be freeing and freedom of
speech is a powerful thing...
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