Walk on the wild side

BYRON Bay singer-songwriter Sara Tindley will step into the unknown when she makes her Tasmanian live debut this weekend — but she will have a much-loved local on hand to help out.

Tindley moved to Byron Bay in 1994 and formed a duo with ukulele virtuoso Azo Bell, with the pair performing at events such as the Woodford and Port Fairy folk festivals. But by 2002 she was ready to launch a solo career, and her debut album 5 Days followed in early 2003.

ABC Radio placed the single Down

the Avenue on high rotation, which led to Tindley featuring on an ABC television commercial. Songs from the album also featured on East of Everything and Bondi Rescue.

Australian country legend Bill Chambers then produced Tindley’s 2007 album, Lucky The Sun, which led to her being compared to Gillian Welch, Lucinda Williams and Chambers’ daughter, Kasey. After releasing her third album

Time in 2011, Tindley endured a battle against breast cancer. That turbulent period provided the basis for the 12 wry, insightful tracks that make up her frank and fearless fourth album

Wild & Unknown, which she recorded with producer Nick DiDia (Bruce Springsteen, Pearl Jam) at the studio DiDia co-owns with Bernard Fanning. Released last May, Wild &

Unknown “captures the healing virtues of sand, sunlight and sea” and has drawn comparisons to everyone from Tom Waits to Joni Mitchell to The Triffids.

Tindley recorded Wild & Unknown with veteran guitarist Michael Turner, who many will remember as a founding member of ARIA Awardwinning Tasmanian indie folk group Wild Pumpkins at Midnight.

Turner will join Tindley on stage in Tasmania this weekend. They appear at Willie Smith’s Apple Shed at Grove from 6.30pm tomorrow.

Then on Saturday the Marion Bay Music and Arts Concept presents Sara Tindley and Michael Turner performing an intimate sit-down concert at the Copping Hall from 7.30pm. Tickets are $25, go to www.eventbrite.com.au for bookings.