Lesbian PLATFORM @ Scarlet
Lesbian Platform is an initiative specifically set up for female performers giving Brisbane’s lesbians the opportunity to have their original music heard in the highly competitive and male dominated entertainment industry. 8-10 performers will perform a set each for us.
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If you would like to be considered for a performance set at Lesbian Platform please contact coordinator Vikki Grant on 0403277278 or vikkigrant@gmail.com
Performers
VIKKI GRANT (PLATFORM COORDINATOR)Vocally trained by Venetta Fields, Vikki Grant has wooed crowds up and down the East Coast of Australia. Performing regularly since 2003 with a stompbox, djembe, acoustic guitar and her unique voice, Vikki takes her audience on a musical journey through a diverse range of covers and originals. Having being compared vocally to Tracy Chapman, Grant's passion and enthusiasm has also inspired her to initiate ‘Platform'. An event which endeavours to assist fellow female performers to have their music heard amongst a male dominated industry. “Women needed a space in which their music could be delivered to an audience that appreciated their talent, where they felt safe and confident enough to stand up and be heard” said Grant. "Music is a passion that burns beneath my skin and is more powerful than anything I've ever experienced. It is my life." |
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AMY HENSCHELLI am a singer/songwriter playing bluesy/folk songs on acoustic guitar. My influences are Van Morrison, Ani DiFranco, Jesus Rodriguez, Kasey Chambers, Paul Kelly and Jewel. I have played my music at venues including Broxburn Country Music Festival, weddings and various venues in the Toowoomba and Brisbane area. |
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ANNA WEATHERUPIv always known i was going to sing ever since i was a little girl. I Picked up the guitar when i was 12 and wrote my first heartbreak song, man was my heart broken! But hey that’s ok i wrote a song from it.. (so thanks dude where-eva u are..) That song by the way is called OVER YOU. I grew up singing in church and come christmas time, every year, our group would put on a christmas concert. We were called THE NEW MILLENNIUM SINGERS.. I’ve learnt so much from everyone around me from that point in my life. Later on down the track, after i finished high school, i met Michael Makin at a Tuesday night jam sesh, which used to take place in the front bar of the Metropole Hotel, Townsville. Little was i to know that over the next 3 years this place, the Metropole, was to become my home. Mick and i played many venues and functions over the North Queensland circuit, and had a great time doing so.. In 2005 i followed a gut instinct and ventured to Brisbane hoping to continue down my musical path, and that i did!! 6 months after moving to Brisbane i was introduced to Danny Procopis, he and i played a Sunday sesh in Brisbane’s CBD for about 10 months. Danny is a member of a group called SMALL MERCIES, so after the boys got a record deal, Danny had to jet, leaving me and my gorgeous guitar alone… Leaving me 2 options: So finally after many years of procrastinating, i now play solo guitar!! yay for me! (which means i took option 2). Because i chose that path im now playing solo gigs in venues around brisvegas. |
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CHERAY DOUGHTYCheray has been singing and playing instruments since the day she started walking. (Doesn't everybody say that?) At school she played lead Alto saxophone in the Big Band and won Best Jazz Saxophonist in Queensland for her age (those were great days). After leaving school she joined Mystic Vibe and spent almost two years in live gigs as their singer and percussionist. Since then she's been working solo on acoustic originals and the development of her own style. In April of 2007 she auditioned for Australian Idol and succeeded in becoming one of their top 24 contestants out of 35,000 auditionees. The journey with Idol has helped Cheray to understand her visions with performing her own songs. |
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CHLOE TULLYChloe grew up on an isolated cattle station on the very edge of the Simpson Desert, Queensland Australia. Spending most of her childhood outside with her brothers or her father, she developed a strong love for the outback and its harsh beauty. Her independence and determination to be herself was strongly enforced by her mother...a true woman of the west. She was given her first guitar in grade two where she remembers learning one of her first songs ‘Blowin’ in the Wind’ taught by her father. Early influences came from a mixture of Don Mclean, Dylan, The Beatles, Paul Kelly and some quirky old tapes of The Bangles. When Chloe was ten years old she begged her parents to send her to boarding school. For eight years she spent the majority of schooling life in Toowoomba (the closest city to Quilpie which was 12 hours drive away). At school her world of music was suddenly ripped open and for the first time she experienced the world of pop and rock. At school she became heavily involved in choral music, drama, art and voice, tabling with guitar lessons on the side. Of course, being a quiet country kid she suffered from homesickness regularly, often calling home in tears. It was then that Chloe found refuge in the music room, often locking herself in a soundproof cell with her guitar. During these Friday afternoons alone Chloe began to experiment with songwriting, using both the guitar and piano. Themes of the bush, loneliness and boys were significant within her songs. When Chloe (much to her relief) graduated school and fled the monsters of the school yard she began to look seriously as the possibility of making a life out of music and creativity. Today, at twenty-one years she currently resides and studies design in Brisbane. She is at present writing songs for her first EP which is hoped to be released late this year. |
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HOLLY KERCHEVALHolly Kercheval has been writing poetry for 15 years, since the age of 9. A self-taught musician, Holly's music and lyrics are deeply emotive with a strong focus on humanity and her raw, life experiences. With influences such as The Cranberries and Ani DiFranco, Holly doesn't just write love songs, she is a diverse rock chick who delights in her own alternate style. Holly has recorded an EP, titled 'Radiate', which contains the track 'Feel Like This', which won her a finalist position in the Annual Byron Bay Dolphin Awards. Holly regularly supports youth and community events, and is emerging into the gay and lesbian social scene, performing her set of earthy tunes and funky rhythms, including songs from her EP, Radiate. |
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JANNY DAVISI am proudly NZ born but relocated to Australia's warmer pastures and beaches in 1995. I learned to play the piano and guitar from an early age, but didn't apply these skills until later in life. Now after many adventures and distractions, I have decided to launch my live performance career as a solo artist. |
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JAXONVILLERachael and Rebecca (Twin Sisters) from Brisbane have spent their young lives pursuing their musical dreams, doing the hard yards of the well-worn country music and contemporary talent quests which run from Newcastle to far north Queensland.The duet are versatile in the music they sing and play. Jaxonville consist of Rebecca (violin, mandolin, guitar Vocals), (Rachael Rhythm Guitar and Vocals). Two gifted individuals who take vocal harmony to new heights. This has always been considered meant to be and it seems like forever as the girls have been writing songs and performing together since an early age.They are well accomplished songwriters and have performed their own songs at many established venues over the past few years. Music has been a lifetime event and individually each vocalist shines but with their combined voices is nothing short of dazzling! Jaxonville are very experienced in stage presentation and performance skills and their overall act is very lively and their ability to engage the audience with their performance, they have been described as not only singers/instrumentalists but also Entertainers with harmonies that can only be achieved by being sisters. |
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KRISSY SCOTTAcoustic singer/songwriter Krissy Scott writes music like poetry. Drawing from life experiences and influenced by many of the great folk singer/songwriters of the 60's, she conjures a genuine appreciation for all things human and all things "real". With a background playing brass instruments in jazz and blues bands and more recently playing throughout South-East QLD singing in a capella groups, she has a varied and diverse musical background from which to draw. As a solo artist she has found her feet writing music more along the folk genre - honest and raw, she writes and sings from the heart. http://www.triplejunearthed.com/Artists/View.aspx?artistid=18892 |
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KRISTIE SCHOOTSKristie is a singer songwriter who originates from the Northern Beaches of Sydney. Beginning her musical studies at 12 kristies main focus was always her guitar until she gained the confidence to let her voice be heard...And so out of the depths of shyness has risen an enigmatic soulful voice which seems to carry the weight of the world on shoulders held high. After entering into a songwriting competition in late 2006, and making it through to the finals Kristie embraced her new title of singer/songwriter with both hands and at the age of 23 shifted her sights to Queensland. Now living on Queenslands Sunshine coast Kristie herself has begun to shine brighter than ever pursuing the exciting, ever changing, always trying life of a full time musician. Now Kristie is finally doing what she was destined to do from word go...But as they say better late than never! |
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MJ EVANSMelissa J Evans has that rare ability to explain a lifetime in 3 minutes. You will be enthralled with her genre bending songs and find yourself lost in every lyric. Her compositions are beautifully crafted, where her universal themes capture the souls of a multitude of listeners. You don't simply listen to these songs you participate in them... they are about you and me! They are about acceptance, love, life and death. Her new album, has a collection of 7 fascinating songs, each has a life of it's own, but they are strangely connected by a passion for living. Melissa explores the human condition with such care and sensitivity that you feel she has reached into my heart, head and life and explained who you are, without concious effort. She has the skill to make you believe she is telling your story. The past 12 months has seen Melissa evolve into a consumate performer, playing her original music solidly around Brisbane and the southeast. She has also ventured to Melbourne to play around the groovy cafes and bars of St Kilda! Melissa [with the help of Sue Drummond - percussion and harmony] opened for the Kransky Sisters at their homecoming gig in Esk to a packed house at the Lyceum Hall - it was an inspirational performance!! Keep an eye on www.myspace.com/melissajevans to see where Melissa is playing next! |
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MJ GWYNNEGrand finalist of Fretfest 2007, headlining many and varied bands as well as a long solo career, MJ Gwynne brings sincerity, lust, honesty and the ability to make people stand up and listen. Playing in just about every establishment worth playing in all over the country, MJ has entranced crowds as she freely uses light and shade blended with awesome acoustic guitar skills and a voice to die for. |
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NIKOLAINE MARTINGrew up on the east coast, good old Byron Bay. I Started guitar age 10, and keys age 6. By age 18 , I had played at the East Coast Blues n Roots festival 2005,with local band at the time- Bypass. Also With a local band at the time “The Speeding Tickets”. Played at venues such as, Beach Hotel, Byron bay,- won a band competition. (I also played solo at some of these venues). The Rails, Byron bay. The Chincogan hotel Mullumbimby, The Middle Pub Mullumbimby, and down at Uralla. Currently moved to Bris Vegas (Brisbane) where I have been working on Originals and meeting with other muso’s. Talent within itself, playing a number of instruments and has a unique voice. |
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PIXELPixel is a mixture of grungy alternate folk rock infused with deep emotive lyrics with powerful vocals telling tales of love, loss and the grey areas in between. Holly Kercheval has been a regular in the gay scene over the past year playing gigs such as GIRLFEST 09, Big Lesbian Beach Escape 08, Coast Pride Day 08/09, International Lesbian Day and Scarlet Live Venue 08. In 2006 Holly was announced finalist in the Byron Bay Dolphin Awards for her solo work. Recently she has teamed up with bass player Sally which has brought a new groove to her original tunes. |
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RACHEL REGANI have been playing music and writing songs since I can remember, I grew up in Manchester playing with musicians in my first Traditional Irish band "Cairde" with Rob Mager, Rory Geraghty, and Phil Reed.We had success with our songs at local perormances and our first live radio performance on BBC GMR's "The Parlour" and Tv interview on Granada Reports was something to be proud of. Moving to Cork, Ireland in 2002 led my life in a new direction enjoying all the magic of the Emerald Isle, here I enjoyed regular sessions at O' Connells, Glanmire and The North Gate Pub, playing bluegrass, folk, trad, blues and a bit of everything else. Meeting Irene O Connell and setting up the band "The Sad Cows" really spurred my own songwriting and gigs around Cork. In April 2007 I recorded my debut album, "Wandering Child" here in Cork, 10 tracks with a mix of acoustic ballads and instrumentals, with an influence of all the music I have played over the past couple of years. The single "Babygirl" is available to download from www.seeingredrecords.net, and the album is available in "Vibes and Scribes", Cork. I am travelling promoting my album and songs at the moment and having a great time doing so, I hope you enjoy listening to my songs! I believe music is a gift, a special something that cannot be compared to anything else. I will continue to share it. |
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RUTH GARDNERGuitarist::Songwriter::Singer::Producer Ruth Gardner has been playing guitar since she got her first axe from K-Mart age 8 and writing songs from the tender age the age of 11. She is certain that it is a positive that she can’t remember many of the early songs! Immediately after high school Ruth applied for and was accepted to what is now affectionately known as “Rock School” at Southbank and surprisingly passed the yearlong intensive performance course. The album Student Body created from a compilation of student compositions including Ruth’s work went on to win a Sunnie Award (QLD recording award) for best Pop album in 1993. A year after leaving Rock School she decided to travel to London where she met up with fellow traveler Kath Barham and began to co-write together and perform in such places as The 12-Bar Club in Tin Pan Alley and The Marquee. Two years later with a substantial body of work behind them the pair returned to Australia and proceed to record their first album. Under the name One, Ruth along with Kath released independently “Unlucky, Dented Guiding Star” in 1997 to a packed house at Ric’s. In support of this release they played all over Brisbane including The Zoo, The Press Club, The Rev and various Uni O-Weeks and Rec. Clubs. The Single from the album “Just Stay” also receive favorable airplay on B105, JoyFM (Melbourne), ABC Radio National, 4zzz and strange regional radio such as 3BBB in Ballarat. The album also saw the girls get a small look in to the American market and sign a management deal with the then personal assistant to Arista Records president, Clive Davis. Their music was then put forward to Sarah McLaughlin for consideration as performers at the Lilith Fair, Joan Osbourne and various other multi-national recording companies A & R departments. In 2000 a new musical horizon began when Ruth formed a trio called The Peepshow with Sofia Woods and Lisa Wojawoski. They performed around Brisbane for the following 4 years at Big Gay Day, Pride Fair Day, Straight Out of Brisbane Festival, 2-High Festival, & Valley Rotunda. Ruth continues today to perform and write with Lisa under the name CockFighter combining Hip-Hop folk and roots to deliver a truly original sound. She has also contributed the original work “No God” co-written and performed by Neroli and Claudia Bordini for “7 Nights”, a short film, written and directed by Claudia. Currently along with CockFighter, Ruth performs with the LesbianSuperGroup along side Melissa J Evans, Sue Drummond and Shiv Zimmerman. Ruth has also discovered late in life the wonders of performing Cabaret when she played for Jo Doyle in The Fruit Tingle Cabaret at the Judith Wright Center. She has subsequently performed at the West End Cabaret alongside Chris Maver. She also travels with her home studio to record and produce local artists and is preparing to produce her first solo album due for release in mid 2008. Ruth sounds like …… what ever way that you interpret skilled electronic programming alongside intuitive guitar playing and subtle vocals which she plans to fuse for her upcoming release. |
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SHELBY LIMSinger/songwriter Shelby Lim is a young, emerging acoustic-rock solo artist out of Brisbane. Although young, Shelby has become a veteran of the Open Mic scene, forcing casual pub-goers to put down their beers and take notice. But this is just the beginning. |
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TERI ABBOTTI have several years experience as a singer/songwriter and musician. References to artists such as Kasey Chambers, Wendy Matthews, Janis Joplin, Mia Dyson, Missy Higgins, Lucinda Williams, Kate Bush and Little Birdy have been mentioned when I perform. Coming from a musical family I was exposed to many musical influences including anything from Broadway and Opera, Gospel, Country and Rock and Roll music. I started singing and playing the organ at a young age. Five years ago I started learning and playing the guitar and wrote my first song after learning my first chord progression and performed “Floating” at the Gympie Muster Talent Search receiving positive feedback. I started out singing country music and know have found a love of rock and roots music. Originally from Gladstone I moved to Monto in 2003 where I met Peter Cox my guitarist, bass player, slide guitarist and my teacher of music who pushes me to continue to be all that I can be. In 2004 I began learning singing techniques by the very talented teacher Laurie Hung. While in Monto I have enjoyed the support of local venues including the Three Moon Country Roundup, Eidsvold Musicians Muster, Biloela Rockfest and pubs throughout the Central Queensland and Wide Bay districts. In 2005 I established my own entertainment business offering services such as karaoke, disco, PA hire and live music. This has given me some good and bad experiences but has helped decide what is important to me and that is songwriting. The end of 2006 it was time to take a rest after abusing my vocals with late nights and travelling to much. In 2007 life has been different for me, music seems to be easier and I have found a new confidence, a new drive and my mojo’s back. I began the role of being the president of the Monto Arts Council and I love every minute. I wrote my best song I think “Have You Ever” and performed it at the Biloela Rockfest and the Eidsvold Muso’s Muster; it felt awesome and I received fantastic feedback. I'm currently working with 2 great musicians Peter Cox on bass, slide and Rick Parker on drums and I'm on the guitar. We are currently working on my orginal material and our future plans are to record, perform and promote these live (at last I'm doing music for myself and I'm putting away those 101 pubs songs for now.) This year I won’t be holding back and I’m looking forward to all possibilities. |
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