MyBio

 

At 10 years old I was the only child who sang amongst adults in the Nimbin Choir. We sang all sorts of music, but the apartheid protest songs we learnt really made me see and feel the power of healing through song. I was also one of approximately 14 children that where chosen for the John Rowles backing choir. After winning the Solo Vocal section at the Tweed River Talent Quest 1990, I was asked to sing at Terranora Lakes Country Club as a guest once every few months before the main act. For my senior years at school I performed as Annie in 'Annie Get Your Gun' and Helene in 'Sweet Charity', musicals make you believe in the moment. I was privileged enough to perform as a teenager with the likes of Nadia Sunde a truly amazing artist, now one of Australia's top radio announcers for the ABC. Nadia has traveled Australia playing at folk and country festivals. I'll always remember Nadia at her local butcher shop making me sing Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy to the butcher, it was a strange rehearsal technic, but I believed it worked!


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 exisist 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 my loving husband Corey O'Connell and his Uncle, Mick O'Halloran famous for his magical folk music and writing.


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.


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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