Night of the Songstress is a new fortnightly showcase featuring Perth and Fremantle’s leading and up and coming female acts on Sunday nights at the Swan Lounge in North Fremantle. The first of the series aptly kicks off this Sunday, March 4 just ahead of International Women’s Day, offering the chance to capture some of the fresh and diverse musical talent this city has to offer. It’s a new initiative from Bambuseae Rhythm Section’s Cameron Charles who has set about curating the nights with a selection of artists that stand out above the pack not just for their talent but also their originality, creativity and courage. BRAYDEN EDWARDS caught up with Charles to find out a little more about the artists we can catch this Sunday, how the idea came about and why he couldn’t help but want to see it become a reality.
Firstly can you say what was it that made you want to become part of organising a series of shows like this?
As a local booking agent, musician and business owner within the industry I asked myself what I could do to ensure local female artists are being fairly represented and getting equal opportunity to share their creative talents with the world. As a fellow musician and as a male within the scene I want to show my support and solidarity to the strong and creative women of this town. Fremantle is a hotspring of feminine musical talent and there are so many wonderfully motivated songstresses out there working hard, perfecting their craft and in a lot of cases swimming against the current. So I was inspired to create a space in which these dedicated artists can showcase their works.
Night of The Songstress is a celebration of female creativity and artistry within the local music scene aimed to support up-and-coming as well as established female lead acts. From the beginning The Swan Hotel have been fully behind the initiative as well as Pen Cap Chew rehearsal Studios. The opening night of this series also coincides with International Women’s Day on March 8.
With so many acts to choose from, how did you go about bringing together these artists for the first ever Night of of the Songstress?
Originally this was going to be a one-off show. The day I had the idea I put the call out on social media to a few people. I was swamped with requests from musicians to play at this event. Word had spread fast and by the end of the day I had decided that this needed to be a twice monthly show. It was very exciting. The four acts on the first bill are set to knock your socks off with their creative prowess and musical talent.
What can you tell us about each of these acts and what are you looking forward to most on the night?
Navana
Navana is a young singer/songwriter who has the voice, talent and confidence of someone twice her age. She is fast becoming a seasoned professional within the local music industry. Navana’s songs will soothe your soul and your heart will sing along with her captivating and emotive vocal melodies.
Natalie Carmody
Natalie Carmody is a Fremantle based singer-songwriter who plays the tenor ukulele, she has a refreshing soulful and folky style and is an adorably gutsy performer playing uplifting, playful and sentimental originals. Natalie often collaborates with other musicians in duos and bands to add to her performance experience. She credits her learning to the support of the creative community in Fremantle, who are proactive supporters of local songwriters. Natalie has just acquired an electric black and white Stratocaster ukulele and cannot wait to start playing it!
Maia Falls
Maia Falls is a New Zealand born, Freo based singer songwriter with the voice of an angel. Fixated on music from an early age nothing can shake her ruling passion. She began writing poetry at the age of eight and has only become more infatuated with words at age 20. Poetry turned into songs and songs were her saviour, providing a way for her thoughts to escape. Her first international performance was in 2011 in LA competing in the World Championship of Performing Arts where she won five silver medals. 2012 saw Maia focus harder on her songwriting and receive various awards and WAM nominations that further encouraged her art. Maia gives music the credit for keeping her head above water. She believes her way of giving back is providing performance opportunities to her private students, instilling confidence in children and young adults.
Tania Martin
Tania Martin is a singer, actress and song writer. With a background in musical theatre, her original songs lean in that direction with stories of life, love and loss while highlighting the beauty in mental health struggles: songs such as The Circus is in Town (bipolar), Jesus Lives in my Backyard (schizophrenia) and Supergirl (depression) to name a few. Tania’s career stems from radio (voice overs), television roles ( Home and Away, Neighbours, Rafferty’s Rules, The New Adventures of Skippy, Paradise Beach) and major theatre companies around Australia. Her one woman cabaret show Cabaret Sauvignon sold out in Hong Kong last year. With an EP and single out, she is focused on her upcoming Originals CD due for release in a couple of months and her musical entitled SHE opening in October.
