NIGEL McTRUSTRY:
ALBUMS TO DATE: Excursions

Nigel: I am a singer/songwriter based in Brisbane and perform live with percussionist, guitarist and vocalist Caroline Hammond. Our organic mix of acoustic guitar, cigar box guitars, djembe, Kahun, stomp, harmonica and diddley bow blend folk/rock and blues and roots with organic Cuban and African rhythms. Since the release of my CD and discovering the cigar box guitar, my sound has steadily evolved to include the traditional sounds of the deep south. The blend of our instruments is unique and our sound is different to anything else out there. I am on the crest of the wave that is building to bring awareness of the cigar box guitar home to the shore of the masses. My aim is to be an independent and productive musician at the forefront of this emerging sound. Viva la revolucion!

Q1. When and Why did you start your career as a solo artist?
I really started my career as a solo artist with the release of my cd. I have played in bands since I was a teenager and travelled the world with my guitar for many years. But it wasn't until I recorded my CD in Brisbane and released it that my career as a solo artist took off. I didn't have a band so in the studio i played bass and all the guitars (except some lead added by Kent Steedman of the Celibate Rifles). It was the only way to go. I have been gigging as a solo artist, as a duo and with a backing band ever since.

Q2. How would you describe your music?
Folk/Rock/Cigar Box Blues Groove/trance. Fun. The lyrics are original, the groove is fun, and the mix of the instruments makes my sound unique.

Q3. Explain the Cigar Box Guitar Revolution?
The Cigar Box Guitar Revolution is a growing movement of self expression. Music is turning full circle and this primal instrument is being recognised as being influential in the birth of music as we know it today. Its real origins are in Africa with the sounds of call-and-response singing, traditional African instruments and the rhythms inherent there. Cigar box guitars were taken up by those in the deep south of the US using broom handles for the neck, wire for strings, found objects, anything that would made a noise. So the blues (Rock'n'Roll etc) was born out of these homemade, gutsy, rootsy and powerful instruments. Making, playing and listening to CBGs is very addictive. It's consuming the world like a virus. The CBG is a tool that awakens people's inner groove and boogie and I'm riding the wave.

Q4. How did you discover the Cigar Box Guitar Revolution and what interested you about it?
I stumbled on a guy playing one on youtube. The whole point of CBGs is that they're a creative force. You make one, you have one, and you play it. Not only are you creating music, you're being creative in the act of making one. I saw it on youtube and I had to make one and the rest is history. I joined the revolution!

Q5. If you could choose any place in the world to perform, where would it be?
It would be hard to name one place. Japan is on my list because the culture is so different to ours in Australia. Plus, I know the audiences there would love the CBG vibe of blues and roots and African rhythms. You'd have them dancing in no time at all.

Q6. Who and what influences your songwriting?
My songwriting is influenced by many many things. I have been into music since a really young age. My brother is five years older than me and he influenced my musical tastes early on. Ever since, I have listened to music from all over the world, from the big names to small, relatively unknown bands out of Africa. In terms of the lyrics, something i hear in another song, something someone says or an incident i experience or witness can spark my songwriting process off. I've never been at a loss for something to write about. It's just something that happens and so long as the songs keep coming i'll keep writing, recording and playing them to an audience on some level.

Q7. What has been the highlight of your music career?
The recording and release of my CD and discovering the Cigar Box Guitar!

Q8. If you were only allowed to write one more song ever, what would it be about?
It would be about 4 minutes!....But then again if it was my last ever song i would make it a track with no end. i'd groove on my CBG for eternity. May have to get some loops involved somewhere on that one.

Q9. What are your plans for the future?
Music wise just keep combining my love of songwriting, recording and building and playing Cigar Box guitars. Just keeping on the CBG Revolutionary path. Viva la revolucion!

To check out Nigel’s music just head to:
www.myspace.com/nigelmctrustry

EMMA DEAN
DOB:born 14 November 1983
ALBUMS TO DATE: Real Life Computer Game, Downside Up Soundtrack & The Tempest Soundtrack

Emma Dean not only sings and writes her own music, but also plays the violin, piano and has performed in and co-written music for the world-renowned physical theatre company Zen Zen Zo.
Her performances are known push the boundaries of conventional music and often involve aspects of theatre and cabaret.
Her debut album Real Life Computer Game was released in 2008 and received great reviews. Dean is now continuing to work on new recordings and is constantly exploring the world of music.

I had the privilege to interview Emma, discussing what influences her music, why she started performing as a solo artist and her plans for the future.

Q1. When and why did your start career as a solo artist?

In 2002 I formed a jazz/folk duo called Bittersuite with a talented bass player called Georgia Weber. This was an amazing time in my life and I learnt so much, but after three years we decided to call it a day because of differing musical interests. This is when I went solo.

Q2. How would you describe your music?

I call my music pop cabaret or theatrical pop.

Q3. Who's your favourite Brisbane musician/band?

I have a few:
Jacob Diefenbach: www.myspace.com/jacobdiefenbach
Ben Stewart: www.myspace.com/benstewartmyspace
Tony Dean: www.myspace.com/tonydeanmusic

Q4. If you could choose anywhere in the world to perform, where would it be?

I have always had a dream of performing at The Grammys! I dream big.

Q5. If you could choose any musician in the world to perform with, who would it be?

I’m in love with a /actor/performer/musician called Taylor Mac from New York. Check out this clip called Walk featuring his song Nothing To Fear http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cu_1WeDEGTA



Q6. What was the greatest performing moment you ever experienced?

I’ve had so many! One highlight was at my sold-out album launch at The Judith Wright Centre in Brisbane. The fact that it was sold-out was a highlight in itself, but when the applause died down after my first encore (the bonus track on my CD called Falling Solo) a man yelled out from the audience “THANK YOU”. For some reason, it really touched me. I think people can see when a performance is real or truthful and when it is not. I must have done something right that night.

Q7. Who and what have influenced your lyrics and what inspires you to write?

People influence my lyrics. People I love, people I don’t like, people I admire, people I observe, people on the TV, people who are sad, people who are happy and then…well…me. I’m also just interested in passing feelings – capturing a moment in time through song, and creating a new moment for the listener.

Q8. What was the highlight of writing/producing/recording your debut album Real Life Computer Game?

Real Life Computer Game seems like such a long time ago. I’m currently working on new recordings at the moment and once again I’m using Ben Stewart as my producer and engineer. I love the whole recording process, especially when you are using a team of musicians that really click! I have been so lucky to experience that with my band and with Ben. My favourite part of recording is after the beds are put down and you can start to layer harmonies and play around with different instruments and textures! My song Sorry from Real Life Computer Game was such fun to record. There are so many weird sounds in there, if you listen closely!

Q9. What's your favourite song from the album to perform?

I love performing Alone Together (which is the shortened version of the full track name). When I’m performing this song with my band, we really have to listen to each other. It’s great being on stage and just knowing that the song will be a success if, and ONLY if, we work as a unit. We have to play Alone…but Together.

Q10. What are your plans for the future?

Apart from taking over the world (hehe), I intend to put together shows that are a feast for the ears as well as the eyes. I want to delve in to the magical world where live music meets theatre. I’m currently working with three physical theatre performers/actors and you will be seeing more of this sort of show from me in 2010!

To check out Emma Dean’s music and make any purchases, just head to
http://www.emmadean.com/listen_shop.htm or visit the iTunes store.

KATE MILLER-HEIDKE
DOB: 16 November 1981
ALBUMS TO DATE: Little Eve, Curiouser & Live at the Hi-Fi

When Kate Miller-Heidke was asked if she would like to reach Britney Spears’ level of fame and success in May 2007, she responded “I think I’d be happy about the riches!... I’ve never thought much about where I’ll be in a year’s time. Its not an easy road and I’m doing it because I love it, not because I want to be a big star. I just want to keep developing as a musician and take it day by day.” (www.samesame.com.au)

But little did she know that almost two and a half years later her second album Curiouser would reach #1 on iTunes for three weeks and her single The Last Day On Earth would reach #1 in Australia. (en.wikipedia.org)
8 ARIA award nominations and the Grand Prize title in the International Songwriting Contest for her and her husband's (Keir Nuttall) song Caught In The Crowd later, Miller-Heidke is now well known throughout Australia and has just recently finished her sold out The Last Day On Earth Tour.

Kate Miller-Heidke is renowned for her live performances, humorous lyrics and the occasional operatic vocals thrown in for comedic effect. She is definitely not a 'one trick pony' as she has consistently throughout her albums and EPs displayed a variety of styles, genres and topics in her lyrics.

Little Eve was Miller-Heidke's debut album and was released on May 26, 2007 through Sony BMG. It peaked #11 on the ARIA charts, with Words also released on May 26, 2007, being it's most popular single.

Little Eve is a unique album and is a certain contrast to allot of Miller-Heidke's more recent releases. The lyrics are easy to relate to and can really 'hit home'. None of the songs on this album are your generic 'love song' and they range from telling the story of Adam and Eve and the original sin from God's perspective (Little Adam) to a message of making every moment count and not rushing life (Make it Last). Kate Miller-Heidke and Keir Nuttall have really highlighted the little imperfections of us as humans and have crafted a beautiful yet eye-opening portrayal of society.

Curiouser is Kate Miller-Heidke's most recent studio recorded album released on the 18th October, 2008. It reached #1 on itunes, while it's single The Last Day On Earth also reached #1 on the Australian pop charts.
Although the Album was released in 2008, it reached great success in 2009 when Last Day On Earth was used in the popular Australian TV series Neighbours. Even though the TV show was the reason Curiouser had gained publicity, it was only the launching pad for it's success on the Australian charts and Kate Miller-Heidke was not one to deny it, "'The Last Day on Earth', due to its' use for the promotion on a particularly popular tv show, is currently the number 1 Australian single on the charts. It's all been a bit unexpectedly nuts. What can I say? Everybody. Needs. Good. Neighbours." (facebook.com) Miller-Heidke published on her facebook 4th August, 2009.
Curiouser is an over-exaggerated portrayal of the many stereotypes we face everyday and although it is over-exaggerated, this has worked as an advantage and Miller-Heidke and Nuttall have really shone a light on the true colours of the types of people we often deem as acceptable, but shouldn't. Allot of the lyrics have taken a negative situation and turned it upside-down into a humorous one, but still discourage certain values and qualities of people and proves that there is a little bit of dorkiness in all of us, like in I Like You Better When Your Not Around and God's Gift to Women.
There are also a few songs resembeling the same sort of style included in Little Eve and her EPs such as Our Song and The End of School.
Overall, in Curiouser Kate Miller-Heidke has really explored new styles and has developed a more pop sound throuhgout the album.

Miller-Heidke has also produced a few songs purely for comedic relief. These include Australian Idol, Psycho Killer and Are You F***ing Kidding Me?
Are Your F***ing Kidding Me? or otherwise known as The Facebook Song became increasingly popular in 2009, and like Australian Idol, is regularly requested by audience members at her performances.
Kate Miller-Hedike is most definitely an incredibly talented singer, songwriter and pianist. She is certainly not afraid to try something new and doesn't hold back when it comes to expressing her opinions. Miller-Heidke makes being different and standing out cool and encourages all her listeners to never get caught in the crowd.

www.katemillerheidke.com

Introduction

The aim of this blog is to highlight some of the best musical talent located in or originated from Brisbane QLD, Australia.

I decided to start this blog because it is a common assumption that in QLD there aren't many talented local artists and bands- but infact the truth is THERE ARE!
QLD and even many Australian artists don't get the publicity they deserve and the spotlight in the music industry always seems to fall on imported American music. This isn't entirely a bad thing and I'm not saying music from the U.S is bad; but what I am saying is that there are still plenty of local artist that are just as good but aren't getting the attention they deserve.
I'm hoping this blog will inspire Australians to search for local talent and hopefully, in the long run, boost the attention given to the many talented artists in QLD.

This blog will contain:
- A fortnightly article about a QLD artist/musician/band
- Interviews from local artists
- Updates of local events and concerts

Thankyou for visitng the site and enjoy reading.