Kiwi singer Jamie McDell returns to lake concert

Jamie McDell is excited about the challenges that lie ahead of her in 2017 – beginning with Rotary Matamata’s third annual Concert by the Lake.

The Kiwi songstress is thrilled to have the chance to perform on the speciallydesigned pontoon for the third successive year, joining Kiwi music legends The Lady Killers (Tina Cross, Suzanne Lynch and Jackie Clarke) and funky jazz band Two Many Chiefs in the February 19 lineup.

‘‘I am really excited about being back (in Matamata),’’ McDell said. ‘‘This (the venue) is an incredible place to listen to music – the whole vibe of the place coincides well with the music we are all bringing.’’

At last year’s event, McDell debuted her Dunes act with sister Tessa, and over the past year they have been collaborating on an album which is due out later this year.

This time around, McDell said audiences could expect a mix of favourites along with some new countryinspired sounds she has been working on, ahead of a trip to Nashville at the end of the month.

‘‘It is about getting back to my roots – I always like having conversations with my audience so think of it (the Matamata show) like we are all hanging out at my house and I am playing some new songs and having a jam – that’s what you can expect,’’ she said.

A week later McDell is flying out to Nashville hoping to garner experience and a degree of reassurance from those in the country music industry there.

‘‘It’s been a long-held dream to be at a time in my life when I am ready to do a proper ‘me’ record with the country-style production that I like,’’ she said.