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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