SINGING OUR PRAISES
THE Gold Coast’s own indie-pop sensation Amy Shark was back on home soil yesterday, crediting the Glitter Strip as her training ground in the music industry. Shark, who is nominated for nine ARIA awards this month, said overcoming her fears and being surrounded by strong women had contributed to her success.
IT was the night the Shark looked the bear in the eye – and won.
Indie-pop sensation Amy Shark vividly remembers her first gig at the Burleigh Bears Rugby League Club and how she overcame a severe bout of nerves to kickstart a career that has gone global.
“I almost broke up with my boyfriend (now husband) for booking that,” she laughs. “I was so nervous and hadn’t done that before. But in the end I absolutely loved it and that is where it all started.”
Today, Amy Shark is a nine-time nominee at this year’s Aria Awards and No. 1 artist thanks to her debut album Love Monster.
And from Southport State High School to the theatres of New York and Los Angeles, she credits the people and stages of the Gold Coast.
“They were mostly just cover gigs,” she says of her early Coast performances. “People would yell stuff out and I would get really quick with my reactions.
“Eventually, I just got better at reading the situation and audience – that has all played such a huge part in how I perform today. It strengthened every part of me.”
While the “overnight sensation” label often follows her, Shark spent years refining her craft while working in marketing at the Titans NRL club.
She credited her success to perseverance, passion and her close group of friends and supporters.
“At the start, I had no audience. I had pretty much 11 people listening to my MySpace, when I needed a cult following it just didn’t happen.
“I had a good job at the Titans and I was ready to say, ‘well maybe it won’t work out for me’.”
Her breakthrough single Adore, which went triple platinum, skyrocketed the down-to-earth talent into the spotlight.
In constant competition with herself, Shark said she often looked to others dedicated to their cause.
“You never ask to be someone that others look to. I have flaws and I will slip up heaps of times, but to me a strong woman is someone who is real, honest and not scared of being themself.
“People like Bec Frizelle are a presence. They want to be the best at what they love doing.
“My husband is also a huge part of this. He is pretty brutal. He doesn’t sugar coat anything, old Shane (Billings), he knows the Shark brand more than I do.”
A piece of advice from Triple J announcer Richard Kingsmill also influenced Shark’s music.
“It is one thing to have a record deal, but it is not just that. It is about being on, continuing to work instead of picking up the phone or social media.”
The Bulletin’s inaugural Harvey Norman Gold Coast Women of the Year campaign celebrates the city’s leading females.
A winner will be crowned at a gala event at The Star Gold Coast on International Women’s Day on March 8.
More information is at womenoftheyear.com.au.