Hope for growing musicians

Horsham musicians are gaining a sense of assurance for a brighter future after fronting the stage at a revered contemporary music venue in Melbourne for a digital performance.

Wergaia and Wemba Wemba singer-songwriter Alice Skye previewed a line-up of new songs from her forthcoming second album as part of a virtual concert at Arts Centre Melbourne’s Hamer Hall.

Playing piano and singing alongside guitarist Sam King, Skye played her new release ‘Grand Ideas, along with new tracks ‘Wurega Djalin’, ‘The Moon, The Sun’, ‘Browser History’, ‘Stay in Bed’ and more.

King said while opportunities to perform live had dried up since March due to COVID-19, the Hamer Hall set was a perfect opportunity to project the band’s image back into the spotlight. “It’s probably the biggest production we’ve ever been involved in and it came at a time when live music isn’t happening,” he said.

“We were hankering to play more music. Any opportunity that comes up, we’re going to take it.”

King said performing at Hamer Hall, which is built to seat more than 2400 people, was a ‘surreal experience’ even while the venue was empty.

“I wasn’t sure what to expect. I got there and there was a stylist who put Alice in these designer clothes and they had a suit ready for me. They pinned it up and tailored it for me,” he said.

“It was an incredible feeling and bizarre when no one was there, but as soon as I strummed the guitar and heard the production, I’d never heard my instrument sound like that before. The tone you can pull out of a venue like that is absolutely incredible.”

The band, based in Melbourne, had several shows booked overseas and would have been preparing to go to Canada about this time.

King said the digital performance was key to maintaining momentum.

“There are a lot of bands that are sinking below the gaze of the public eye and finding it hard to have their voice heard,” he said.

“To be invited to do something like that and to have it posted out on all the social media platforms is really exciting.”

King said the release date for the band’s forthcoming album ‘I feel better, but I don’t feel good’ will be announced at a later date.

People can search the performace on Youtube.