Songwriter Trysts
By Rae Leigh
Songwriter TrystsDec 02, 2020
#247 Tess Rowley
Creative writer, novelist, children’s books, and songs, Tess Rowley joins Rae Leigh in an intimate discussion about creative writing, her work with not-for-profits, and child advocacy work.
Earlier in 2024 Tess received the Medal Order of Australia or an OAM for her incredible work in serving the community. A lifetime of dedication and using her creative writing skills to bless generations of children and women, all over the world. Her most famous book, commissioned for a purpose by an NFP, was initially banned by ABC and then sold out in Australia. Listen to the story behind her groundbreaking work and intimate experiences she has had and how she has used her gifts to share her and other’s stories to benefit the community.
Youtube Tess Rowley
#246 Robbie Mortimer
Robbie Mortimer is an Australian singer songwriter who has recenetly come back after a 3 year break while he went through personal and professional development to bring his best to the world. His new single is called Blow The Speakers and has country all over it. Living on the farm with a large family of boys who were all very much sports focused Robbie talks about his experince being a creative songwriting lover who was the youngest of a large family. His love of music and performing relaly shows through his podcast and performance and we know as you listen and get to know him you will learn to love him and his music as much as we do.
Connect with Robbie here:
#245 Avery Harden
Avery Harden is an American songwriter and self-proclaimed positive rapper. We dive into his roots in Christian music, Christian rap, Disney influence, and faith upbringing.
Avery is an independent artist who collaborates, tours, and recently released his second album Atlantis II. Coming to tour in Australia in October 2024 we were excited to discuss his music, positive influences and journey as an artist chasing his dreams.
connect with Avery:
Check out his podcast too here: ABOV The Multiverse
#244 Max Jackson
Max Jackson, 2024 Golden Guitar winner at Tamworth awards in Australia. Max is a songwriter and singer and we talk about how it was the songwriting that came first for her. Writing for almost 12 years before releasing her first single in 2020 she found her voice and purpose and she has been living it with passion. Lots of encouragement as a Toyota Star Maker competition winner. She can write a song, hold a tune, and entertain your boots off. So grateful to have spent some time getting to know our newest superstar to country music in Australia and you will be too.
Connect with Max:
#243 Sue Ray
Sue Ray gets real with their discussion on neurodiverse conditions and the impact that has had on Sue as a woman, mother, and musician. Her inspirational story is a testament that there is always another way to keep looking for your people. Sue is bravely stepping into her power as a songwriting coach, artist, and indigenous advocate through Qmusic in Brisbane Australia and we are so glad to have had the chance to have her on the show.
Sue Ray, the winner of the 2022 QMusic Blues’n’roots award, is an Australian Indigenous multi-award-winning singer/songwriter who captivates audiences with her original brand of country/blues and roots music, smoky rich voice, and high-energy performances.
Often compared to such artists as Bonnie Raitt, Chris Stapleton, and Lucinda Williams, Sue’s sound crosses genres allowing her to appeal to a wide audience demographic. Sue recently returned to Australia after being based in Nashville, where she worked alongside industry greats and connected into the scene, gigging and writing. Sue has a Diploma of Film & Television, Cert IV in Contemporary Music, Certificate in Sound Engineering and video production, and has completed a songwriting course at the Songpreneurs Retreat in Nashville TN.
Connect with Sue:
#242 Wesley Dean
Wesley Dean, an Adelaide-born singer-songwriter has been living in Nashville since March 2021 the height of the pandemic, and moved there with his wife and kids.
After winning Australian Idol in 2008 he discusses in the interview his dance with his ego and how he needed to have kids, get married, and live life before he had something he felt was worth saying. Coming in his new album which we eagerly anticipate.
Live from Sol Train studios in Nashville they have given us a great interview today with their help with recording the audio for this podcast interview with Wesley as he was in the studio recording.
Connect with Wesley:
Hey Mate.
Bonus episode this week with The Hey Mate Project, a mental health company building awareness and supporting creative industries including Qmusic in Brisbane. Host Rae Leigh interviews guest Aimee Davies the founder of Hey Mate Project. This is a great conversation about the company and how they started, what they are doing, and why it's so important for us as artists to take care of our mental health. Aimee goes into the difference between mental health and mental illness, the struggles the music industry has had in comparison to other creative industries, and the impact they hope to have. Aimee gives great advice about what we can do to lift the industry and take better care of each other.
Connect with They Hey Mate Project here:
#241 Tyler Spicer
Tyler Spicer, musician, producer and songwriter from Bath UK soon to be in Nashville. This passionate artist has been pivoting his talents in a big way he thanks the covid lockdowns for this change and feels like it was the perfect time for him to move into this production space.
Connect with Tyler:
#240 Mario Vayne
An emotional rollercoaster of laughs, sad, ugly, beautiful, best and worst. Rock n Roll, music and its history. This conversation with Mario Vayne and Rae Leigh goes into it all. A fun conversation about songwriting and music for your Christmas trip this week.
Check out Mario's Music and info here:
#239 Ella & Sienna
Ella and Scienna, Australian female country singer-songwriting DUO jump on a Zoom call and record a chat with host Rae Leigh about their musical journey and their Taylor Swift tribute show. Sisters Ella & Stella are hitting the road and recording studio to launch their careers in the music industry and they are having so much fun doing it.
"It’s Not Me, It’s You” embraces Ella & Sienna’s newfound country-pop sound, with an anthem track that embodies their vocal harmonies. With rich layers of overdriven rock-influenced guitars, and energetic drums intertwined with banjo and slide, they have proven they are one of the most exciting emerging artists in the Australian music scene today.
Connect with Ella & Sienna here:
#238 Michael Saleta
Michael Saleta, a songwriter from Sale, in Victoria Australia, and now living and working as a full-time songwriter in Nashville with his wife Sarah and publisher. Hear how this music teacher from Melbourne changed his whole life around, quit his day job, and launched into a life filled with music and joy. The most optimistic and determined songwriter we have had on the show and inspiring for anyone who likes to write songs and one day would like to do it full time.
Connect with Michael through his linktree HERE
#237 Scott Clay
Propulsive rock’n’roll mingles with expansive Americana on Seattle songwriter Scott Clay’s forthcoming LP Time Will Tell. Buoyed by a voice both plaintive and roughhewn, Time Will Tell invites listeners to slow down and reflect on our true nature and our collective humanity. When it came time to track Time Will Tell, Clay and a cadre of top-flight musicians, including engineer Mike Davis (Modest Mouse, Head and the Heart), bassist David Dawda (Fruit Bats), drummer Sean Lane (Pedro the Lion) and pianist Daniel Walker (Heart), together they set up camp at the venerable Hall of Justice studio in Seattle.
Connect with Clay:
#236 Drew Ryder Smith
Drew Ryder Smith is an artist and singer-songwriter in his own right after years of writing for others and his own struggle with mental health and substances he has broken through into releasing his own music and performing all over the country.
A raw and honest conversation with great stories and advice for songwriters and artists alike.
Connect with Drew:
#235 Austin Mackay
Be melted away with his beautiful stories, voice, and guitar. We also released a special live acoustic version of his single "Real Life" on YouTube now.
Connect with Austin:
Website
YouTube
#234 Scotty Mack
"You can change your life at any point in time" This quote from featured artist singer-songwriter from outback Queensland Scotty Mack with his Songwriter Trysts interview with Rae Leigh.
Auditioning for The Voice in 2023 Australia with the audition song "Foot Loose" he is back and sharing his original music which is charting across the Australian country scene. Music is therapy and healing and so are his friends who he credits for getting him back to what he loves. An inspirational conversation and worth a listen.
Growing up in Outback Queensland, Scotty Mack calls Charleville home, living and breathing what life in the outback means to this inspiring singer/songwriter. Scotty got his first chance to sing on stage with the Walmsley Brothers, performing on the back of a truck at the Charleville racecourse.
“From then on I was hooked”, says Scotty. Influenced by Garth Brooks, Brooks and Dunn and Alan Jackson, and with a passion for country music, Scotty Mack became a Finalist in the ‘Road to Tamworth’ and ‘Queensland Champion of Champions competitions and has recently auditioned on The VOICE Australia.
Connect with Scotty:
#233 Melanie Dyer
Melanie Dyer drops a brand new single, “Dust”. The Australian singer/songwriter has cemented herself as a leading lady in contemporary country with hits like “Memphis T-Shirt”, “Run Out Of Road” and her most recent hit, “Song For That”. Joining the lineup for CMA Music Festival 2023, Melanie played alongside the likes of Jason Aldean, Dan + Shay, Miranda Lambert and more to celebrate the Festival’s 50th Anniversary. With sales approaching 10 million, Melanie released her sophomore album in 2022, “Between You & Me”; featuring hit singles, “Run Out Of Road”, “Cheap Moscato”, “Cheating On Me” and “Dumb Decisions” (with Caitlyn Shadbolt) and the title track a collab with US Artist Troy Cartwright. The album earned Melanie 2 CMAA Golden Guitar Award nominations for Female Artist of the Year and Collaboration of the year in January 2023. Melanie is an APRA Professional Development Award Winner, APRA Nominated songwriter (“Memphis T-Shirt”) and an ‘in demand’ songwriter within the Australian music industry. Connect with Melanie: Website YouTube Facebook Instagram Spotify
#232 Two Tone Pony
Growing up with father Slim Dusty and boarding school in Sale Victoria our featured guest David from Two Tone Pony the band after retiring from a career as a medical practitioner has gotten back into the studio and out on the road.
Celebrating the art of songwriting, passion, and music host Rae Leigh and David discuss the powerful art form and give tips and advice on the journey to writing, co-writing, and recording your own music.
Two Tone Pony was born out of late afternoon verandah sessions overlooking the Tasman Sea on the Central Coast of NSW. With their musical roots buried in alt-country, this five-piece collective is beginning to create a following amongst people who enjoy foot-tapping on Sunday afternoons whilst listening to original tunes that tell stories of Australia. Their influences include locals such as Slim Dusty and Don Walker, but also those on the American scene like Jason Isbell and Wilco. Between them they’ve been around various musical outfits for quite some time, they share vocals, can play multiple instruments, and love what they do. Over the last twelve months, they’ve written and recorded a bunch of original tunes that are shovel-ready to tour and you can sample them by jumping on the video links. Two Tone Pony is David Kirkpatrick, Ian Rhodes, Graham Puglisi, Glen Willey, and Greg Richardson.
Connect with Two Tone Pony here:
#231 Keith Stegall
For multiple Grammy, CMA, ACM Award-winning producer Keith Stegall, music has always been his life, strongly influenced by his dad, 1950s Abbott Records recording artist, Bob Stegall. The elder Stegall also played steel guitar for the legendary country singer Johnny Horton. Born in the central Texas town of Wichita Falls and raised in Shreveport (the home of the Louisiana Hayride, a stage his father often graced) the Stegalls were constantly playing and writing songs on guitars and the piano. It was by chance he met another famous Texan, Kris Kristofferson, who inspired Keith to move to Music City.
“Show me what you’ve got!” Kris told Keith backstage at a Kristofferson show. Keith played a couple songs, which prompted Kristofferson to remark, “Son, you need to get your ass to Nashville and hang out with other writers. They will break you down and make you the best you can be.” Keith took the advice to heart and three months after his arrival in 1978, Keith co-wrote his first hit, Dr. Hooks’ 1980 smash Sexy Eyes. Soon after, Helen Reddy, The Commodores, Johnny Mathis, and many others rushed to record Keith’s songs. Most notable was Al Jarreau’s career hit We’re In This Love Together. Eventually Keith signed a record deal with Capitol Records and later Epic Records. He released a pair of albums in the early 1980s with minor chart success. “Because I grew up in the studio,” Keith recalls, “the mistake I made was that they told me to produce myself.” The upside, he says, was he learned how to produce other artists by producing himself.
In the midst of trying to get his own artist career off the ground, a struggling nightclub singer named Randy Ray asked Keith to produce an independent album to sell at his local gigs. The project led to Keith producing the standout songs On The Other Hand and Reasons I Cheat on the singer’s epochal debut, “Storms of Life,” under the singer’s new moniker… Randy Travis.
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#230 Chad Lawson
World-renowned pianist and composer Chad Lawson, in the past two years has been working to reshape the role that music plays in our daily lives, forging a powerful new pathway for healing. On his luminous new double album breathe, he expands on the extraordinary intentionality he first brought to his massively streamed 2020 effort You Finally Knew, transforming his decidedly modern take on classical music into a conduit for stillness, serenity, and self-reflection.
Partly informed by his work as creator and host of the iHeartRadio Award-nominated podcast “Calm It Down” (where he guides listeners through techniques for breathing and meditation while tackling mental health subjects) breathe ultimately establishes Lawson as an essential new voice exploring the intersection of music and wellness—all while delivering an exquisitely crafted body of work whose melodic beauty transcends all genre boundaries.
With his latest endeavors including undergoing certification to teach breathing techniques, Lawson has recently begun to integrate breathing exercises into his music and live performance. For Mental Health Awareness Month, he released breathe (guided breathwork edition), a new deluxe edition of his latest album which includes a series of guided breathwork tracks, with Lawson’s soothing voice guiding listeners through simple techniques.
Co-produced by Lawson and London-based orchestrator Geoff Lawson, breathe came to life at the legendary Abbey Road Studios (the same facility where he recorded You Finally Knew, whose standout track “Stay” held steady in the top 25 on the Billboard Classical chart for 80 consecutive weeks). So while the album features guest appearances from cellist Peter Gregson, violinist Esther Yoo, and members of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, breathe embodies an understated elegance that allows a tremendous depth of feeling to shine through every moment.
Lawson has been featured by CBS Sunday Morning, NPR, Forbes, GRAMMY.com, Financial Times, and many more.
Connect with Chad:
#229 Sammi Palinkas
Sammi Palinkas is a native Victorian like Rae Leigh and they talk about her start from the age of 8 winning a trip for the family to Disneyland, meeting incredible writers, ambitiously aiming for Pop start life style and landing gracefully in the Country space with what Sammi describes as a 'broken heart and life experience'.
Writing in LA with a cocktail and incredible co-writers she shares her experience and advice for songwriting, co-writing and following your songwriting passion.
Connect with Sammi here:
#228 Kehinde A
Kehinde A has been all over the world and now residing in Melbourne Australia he is self-produced and has been learning and producing long before the invention of the iPhone or AI.
Kehinde gives great advice to new and independent artists about the vast opportunities that are out there for creatives in the music space, more than just being signed to a label. He encourages the listener to open their minds to all the possibilities for how they can live their dream artistic songwriting life.
Connect with Kehinde A here:
Kehinde A Pop Diary video
(110) My Pop Diary Episode 1 Pt 1 - YouTube
Project: Sunday album
(110) We're All the Same - YouTube
Vocaloid project
(111) Kehinde A - In The Sky (demo with Vocaloid Avanna) - YouTube
#227 The Pleasures
Lachlan Bryan (episode #20) & Catherine Britt (episode #69) friends first and 'The Pleasures' second. Started out with just writing a duet to writing a whole albm of duets and forming a band. Catherine connects with Rae Leigh and talks about how this project came about, the stories behind the songs and what they were going through when writing them. The album is incrediblley well produced and written and worth a close listen to every song.
Songwriter Trysts is all about the magic of artistic collaboration and this project is the perfect example of how amazing things happen when talented kinds people work together to create something amazing.
Connect and follow The Pleasures here:
#226 Ryan Terrigno
From South California singer songwriter Ryan Terrigno gets brave and shares honest stories from the heart. With many years of experiance in a band and now as a solo artists he shares from his experiances as a songwriter and what he is doing now.
Connect with Ryan:
#225 Lucy Burke
Lucy Burke is an incredible singer-songwriter and natural-born entertainer who loves to get out and amongst it with her audiance. After listening to this podcast you will probably be as curious as I am to watch her live. Check out her socials and keep an eye out for her new single on July 21st 'On The Edge'
Connect with Lucy
#224 James Keith
NSW football pro turns Country music super star. Featuring his new single 'No Hero' James and Rae have a great chat about music, life on the farm and chasing after your dreams. James shares about his experiances with songwriting and goals for his music career and the secrets to his sucsess. Make sure to check out his new single and follow as he shares there are lots more songs on the way soon.
The country lovin, wine maker and football player man from Orange NSW James Keith is one to watch with lots of new music promised to be coming out way soon.
Connect with James:
#223 Jackson James
Australian singer songwriter Jackson James is currently in Nashville for a month and heading back to a full calendar of filming, music and music festivals. Life lessons about work ethic, valuing time and deciding what to do with it. James shares wisdom from his experiances in the creative arts and how he was able to narrow down what he really wants to achieve in his carrer.
Connect with Jackson here:
#222 Lisa DeAngelis
Inspired by Nick Cave and Justin Townes Earle, singer songwritrer Lisa DeAngelis has a positive outlook on the way the world works, music and experiances. This podcast Rae Leigh and Lisa get a little wacky and talk into the energy of women and how we pass on experianced as women down generations.
Lisa is promoting her new single "My sisters Blues Suitcase" and shares more about her experiances as an independant artist to date.
Connect with Lisa:
#221 Mark Mulch
He got a record deal at 30 and another one at 40! Mark Mulch is a singer songwriter and all round kind geniun musical visionary. We are excited to share his interview with Rae Leigh talking about his journey to moving to Nashville at 35 and his new EP "Days In The Sun". Working in a band, duo and now solo along with 10 years in the business side of the music industry, Mark has lots to share and wisdom along with some very cool experiances.
Connect with Mark:
Women of Music Production Perth - WOMPP
WOMPP — Women of Music Production Perth — is a female-run label, booking agency and Ableton user group community. WOMPP gives the opportunity to female, transgender and non-binary music makers to share, discuss and showcase music production within the broader Australian music community. Alongside the record label and booking agency, WOMPP curates monthly community meetings and showcases.
WOMPP aims to inspire and nurture Australia’s diverse electronic music scene and provide a safe place for learning and growth.
Connect with Women of Music Production Perth
#220 Karli June
"Know who you are" says Karli June Canadian singer songwriter in her podcast interview with Rae Leigh on Songwriter Trysts. Sharing her journey to recording and releasing her first song during covid lockdown in 2020 and how she worked with a professional team from Nashville to develop her pop country hit "Makes You Pretty".
An inspirational story about a country girl chasing her dream and following her passions.
Connect with Karli here:
#219 Dariann Leigh
Dariann Leigh is a singer songwriter building a name for herself in Nashville. Rae Leigh interviews Dariann Leigh on Songwriter Trysts podcast about her new single 'Blame It On Me' featured in the podcast and what her motivations for songwriting were and where it all started.
Great songwriting tips, advice and co-writing stories in this one for everyone to enjoy getting to know Dariann Leigh from another angle.
Connect with Dariann:
#218 Tori Darke
Country pop singer songwriter Tori Darke is a Golden Guitar ‘Female Artist of the Year’ finalist, Sports Model. She has toured her music Australia wide but has also toured as far as the Middle East several times playing for Australian troops. She has a new single "Dodged A Bullet" out and talks about the journey to this point and what the song is about in this podcast episode.
"I wrote this song about the realisation that I had dodged a bullet by getting out of a toxic relationship" says Tori.
Previously featured on The Voice. Her spontaneous duet with Keith Urban of “Stupid Boy” went viral.
Connect with Tori
#217 Elestial
Indie band from Newcastle Elestial share their new music, plans and origion story with us on Songwriter Trysts with lead singer Elyssa live in the studio with Rae Leigh.
They boast to have beautiful sad songs you can dance to and have a live performance to have you up and dancing explained as "group therapy" in their bio. Make sure to check out their new music and support these young talented friends who are out to do some good and have fun.
Connect with Elestial
APRA AMCOS
Caroline McKnight is the manager for National Education & Outreach at APRA AMCOS who joins Rae Leigh live in the studio to talk about what is ARPA AMCOS, why do songwriters need to be members and everything you need to know about your copyright.
The second you write or record original music, you have copyright. It's free and automatic. APRA AMCOS helps you make money from your music by selling licences to people who want to use it. When your music is played you earn royalties and get paid.
Find out more or become a member on the website here: https://www.apraamcos.com.au/
Follow APRA AMCOS online
#216 Frank Varrasso
Frank Varrasso from Varrasso PR company in Melbourne chats with Rae Leigh about the music industry, his fascinating journey in and out of record companies, venue promotions and even working with some of the world’s biggest music acts. Frank sees artists new and old come in and out of the music industry and with over 18 years in the industry he shares the real secrets to his passion and continued love of the job.
Frank Varrasso started Varrasso PR in January 2009. Prior to this, he was the Senior Director of National Promotions and Publicity at Sony Music. Over the years, he has run promotions and publicity departments on both a state and national level for numerous Record Labels.
With over 18 years of experience in the music industry, Frank has worked with international and local artists including P!nk, Justin Timberlake, Kings of Leon, Oasis, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Madonna, Blur, Green Day, Foo Fighters, Beyonce, Eskimo Joe, Neil Finn, Ben Lee, Motor Ace, Machine Gun Fellatio, George, Rogue Traders, Kate Miller-Heidke, Alex Lloyd, Pete Murray, Augie March, and Delta Goodrem, Vanessa Amorosi, to name but a few. Throughout Frank's years of experience in the music industry, he has formed valuable and respected relationships with media across several platforms – radio, television, and print.
Connect with Frank Varrasso:
#215 Vixens Of Fall
Happy International Women In Music Day and welcome to the amazing female trio from Brisbane Australia Vixens Of Fall!
What would you do if you were one of six kids and your Dad said, ok your going to be in a band with your two sisters? Well thats where the Vixons of Fall started, with an encouraging father and incredible communications skills. Working in a band with family can bring up chanllenges but these women put an amazing light on just how wonderful it can be too. The lessons, wisdom and pure joy these women in music poses is what we hope to see more of in the future of Women in music. Gina Jeffrys who we spoke to on episode #140 has mentored the Vixens and her kindness and fantastic teaching shows in her praise in this podcast. Leading the way in creating a female positive culture for women in the industry.
A product of Far North Queensland, now living in Brisbane, Kristina, Adrienne and Anneliese Whitehouse have music and performance in their blood. The girls have learnt to apply determination and preparation to meet every opportunity as they strive for artistic success.
Make sure to check out their new single Mirror Mirror here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8IVvow19bJk
Connect with Vixens Of Fall:
#214 Josh Pyke
Josh Pyke is a multi-award-winning Australian singer-songwriter. Producing five albums, all of which debuted in the top ten, and a stand-alone special with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra which notably won Best Original Soundtrack/Cast/Show Album in 2016. Pyke’s career has been one of the consistent hits - touring his albums across Australia, the United Kingdom, and the USA, performing at Glastonbury, South by Southwest, and a myriad of the top music festivals. With a career spanning decades with no sign of stopping, Josh Pyke is a force of the indie genre to be reckoned with.
Connect with Josh:
#213 Amy Sheppard
Amy Sheppard one of the members from the multi-award-winning global band 'Sheppard' is also releasing music as a POP Country solo artist and chats with Rae Leigh on Songwriter Trysts about her journey with the band into the new musical journey as a solo artists alongside still being in the band 'Shepard'
Her new single “Couple Goals” featured is beautifully written, performed, and produced and is now available on all platforms. “Couple Goals” is the crossover, feel-good country-pop song of the summer. Written alongside Nick & Tom Wolfe from Episode 100 on Songwriter Trysts, which she talks about in the podcast. "Couple Goals" was a crowd-favorite at Amy’s run of live shows last year and is set to be the ultimate soundtrack to kick-start 2023.
Connect with Amy:
#212 Zac & George
Host Rae Leigh sits down with Zac from the Zac & George Band sensation after their single release ‘Bar Stool’ (See music video to the left on this page). George the hero was busy fighting fires but we still got a good feel for what this dinamic DUO have been up to and how they have got to the level they are at with their sound and direction.
Zac & George, originally inspired by iconic duo Simon and Garfunkel, have continued to broaden their musical taste with acts such as John Mayer, Keith Urban and Dan + Shay.
After spending months overseas playing shows and writing new music, and the release of their first two singles, which 'Red Wine & Roses' landed the dup on the cover of the well known editorial Spotify playlist 'Fresh Cover', Zac & George have released their third single, 'Bar Stool'. The up-tempo track will be coupled with a NSW tour in April. Follow their socials for tickets and further details!
Connect with Zac & George:
#211 Kaylee Lauren
Host Rae Leigh welcomes Kaylee Lauren as her latest guest on the show. She has the most beautiful voice and fresh heartbreaking lyrics that will take you on a sobering journey of love and loss. Rae is excited to have her share her story of mental health and self love as a songwriter on the show.
The singer takes passion in her songwriting making sure her fans are able to connect with her music as much as possible as she writes relatable verses expressing the vulnerable emotions she experiences as a teenager. Kaylee writes all of her own songs by creating melodies at the piano and combining raw vocals. Her songs reveals a build up of intricate instrumentals while layering confessional lyrics. The singer creates many relatable, real, and emotional songs for all her fans out there to connect with her music and her as an artist. Kaylee is a 16 year old singer, songwriter, and musician who pours her heart out when writing and producing her music. She takes the pain and hardships of her life and turns them into creative, inspirational, and relatable magic also known as her music. She writes about all aspects of her life to create songs for her audience to connect too. She eloquently conveys the intense and real emotions when writing a song which makes her music special. Most importantly she loves interacting with her fans which she is so grateful to have. Kaylee Lauren is a talented songwriter that continues to write and produce for the world to hear.
Connect with Kaylee:#210 Kitt Wakeley
Pain and beauty in the art created by our 2023 Grammy Nominated guest, American composer, songwriter, musician, and music producer best known for his album, Symphony of Sinners & Saints, Kitt Wakeley.
Wakeley talks about his journey into music, the challenges and how he had made his path with grace in his career, step by step working with some of the world’s best artists and orchestras and now nominated for his incredible work in the classic music genre in the 2023 Grammy awards.
He gives his best advice and lessons he has learnt along the way along with dreams of working with producer Quincy Jones and artist Paul McCartney
Connect with Kitt Wakeley
#209 Anthony Agostino
Artist, songwriter, producer turned manager with Cartel Management in Melbourne; Anthony Agostino has an in deepth discussion with host Rae Leigh about his experiance in the industry, record lables and being a touring sucsessful artist. He gives us all the gift of life experiance wisdom and advice in the music industry and shares more about the Melbourne based managment company he now partners in supporting songwriters and artisit to best achieve their goals.
Cartel Management Australia (CMA) is a boutique artist development agency based in Victoria, Australia. Founded in 2015 by Christina Rinaldi who has an extensive background in events, label services and communications, and Anthony Agostino a former touring artist and record producer with a background in digital marketing. The pair have put their professional experiences together to create a resource hub for independent & developing artists, labels, and events in the music space.
Operating across 3 divisions, the intention of Cartel is to bridge the gap of knowledge between grass roots / developing artists and career / label artists within the music industry, providing assistance in the areas of growth and knowledge that are not often easily accessible or taught to artists that do not have initial industry connections.
CARTEL SOCIALS
Connect with Anthony
#208 Sons Of Atticus
Matt from the duo Sons of Atticus catches up with Rae Leigh on a featured podcast chat about the origin of the band and the lessons, development and exciting experiences they have had since releasing their debut song in 2021.
Amongst the chaos of a rowdy bar in their hometown, Matt and Dylan crossed paths for the first time and instantly hit it off with a few beers, tacos and their love for country music. It wasn’t long before the two started to write, record and perform the kind of music that inspired them both growing up. Since then, Matt and Dylan have become Tasman Guitar ambassadors, have released a Debut EP, have matching Elvis Presley tattoos and have now released their new single into the world.
A song for the road when you miss the ones at home. Sore Eyes depicts the balancing act of a traveller feeling the strain of following their dream while being away from the ones they love most.
The duo’s short and sharp existence has already seen them support the likes of CW Stoneking, Andrew Farris, and Catherine Britt & Lachlan Bryan’s new duo, The Pleasures. In April, the boys made their way to Tamworth to perform across venues for the Tamworth Country Music Festival. July saw them release their single ‘Sad Songs’ which was paired with a small tour along the south coast of NSW, teaming up with a local brewing company for the run of shows. Recently, Matt and Dylan travelled to Mackay to open up the main stage of NQ's Rock'n Country Festival.
Connect with Sons Of Atticus:
#207 Jemma Beech
This inspirational story of Jemma will encourage anyone who is finding their feet in any creative industry.
Jemma Beech and Rae Leigh catch up for the first time after meeting in 2016 DAG Singer Songwriter Retreat in Tamworth Australia. Jemma talks about living on stations, nannying and balancing life and music.
“We only have one life so I’m going to do what makes me happy”
The pressure and demand of trying to keep up with others in the country music industry got to her when she was younger and she is coming back fully passionate about doing it as she wants to, how she wants and when she wants to do it.
Raised in the quiet town of Yanderra, NSW, singer-songwriter, Jemma Beech has Country in her blood. Her hard-hitting blend of modern and classic Country music spins tales of love and rural life.
When Jemma was just 3 years old she fell in love with music – despite the fact that nobody close to her could play or sing. 90’s Country queens like Trisha Yearwood, Shania Twain and The Chicks would be her inspiration. "I was three years old in the back seat of the car when Mum was flicking through radio stations driving around Queensland on a holiday,” recalls the now 30-year-old. “A Trisha Yearwood song came on and I was hooked from that moment on.”
Growing up in a small town meant a fair dinkum Country upbringing - everything from horse riding to dirt bikes. “We had a few acres of land with a front paddock where my horse was kept,” reminisces Jemma.“ The back half of our property was slowly turned into a motorbike track – mostly for my two younger brothers – I really enjoyed riding the PeeWee 80 around the track and over the jumps and side berms they made.” Although her potential motocross career was short-lived, as the track later became a learner driver’s course when she got a ’97 Toyota Corolla.
A string of odd jobs followed. Bartender, Truck Stop Worker, Nanny – you name it. Music began to take centre stage in Jemma’s life when the she attended the 2015 Senior Academy of Country Music in Tamworth. Previously studying as a beauty therapist she crowd funded the lion’s share of the costs to get her to the Country Music capital.
Jemma’s latest track, ‘You Fool’, drops on November 11th. Recorded at the renowned Music Cellar by Rod McCormack and written alongside Rod and Sally Barris.
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#206 Brittany Maggs
Escaping into Disney movies Britany loved to sing and would put on ticketed shows at her house whenever people would come around. the typical outgoing child who loves to entertain and share her passion of music but what wasnt so typical was having to grow up too early being the only girl in a family of four and her mother suffering multipal brain tumors and the constant ongoing of having a mother in and out of hostpial never knowing if she was going to come home.
In this podcast Brittany shares her joys, lessons, passions, how and why she now trusts herself 100% when it comes to her artists nature. Flying in and out of LA and now full time in Sydney she is on a new venture and taking full control of her futre in the Australian country music scene.
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#205 Rachel Koster
Australian singer/songwriter Rachel Koster believes that creativity can be a force for good in the world. With a love for her craft she shares her years of writing experience in the industry and how she feels the full circle of hearing a song on the radio to sitting in the room with those same artists and writing.
She explains her incredible journey and experiences. Her songwriting collaborations have involved musicians including long term co-writer Stuart Fraser, as well as Gary Pinto, Stephen Cummings, Sean O’Boyle, Michael Barker, Chris Haigh, Bruce Haymes, Luke Austen, Limmel, Nashville’s Karin Papperelli, Australian Idol finaists, and others. Songwriting is Rachel’s joy and she is passionate about writing for other acts in all genres from country to pop to EDM.
Much of her commissioned work involves writing for artists, projects, musicals, children’s music, theme songs & awareness campaigns. Rachel is also a solo pop & acoustic artist, and releases alongside her debut album Deciduous are Breathe, December, Carnival (with Blake Gannon) and Table. New singles wait in readiness for 2023 including the track Dundas Street, and collaborations with Rick Price. Rachel has run Songwalk songwriting workshops since 2020 in Australia with fellow writers Boi Crompton & Eskae Van Eck.
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#204 Hinterland
Jesse from Hinterland the Aussie country band sits with Rae Leigh live in the Gold Coast studio to talk music, songwriting, and her mistakes, lessons, and successes.
Brother & sister, Robbie & Rachel Bostock with childhood friend Jesse Emmanuel make Hinterland. Together they’ve been kicking down doors in the Australian country music industry since their launch in 2020. Hinterland has amassed some consistently impressive stats–all 6 of their singles dominating Top 10 charts all over the country including 3 x #1s (“Treating Me Good”,“Giddy Up”, “In The Hinterland”), streams in the millions and a viral moment for theirsong& EP “Loud” in March of 2021 thanks to mainstream airplay on rock station Triple M.Their sound is one of a kind–an eclectic mix of their strongest influences such as The Corrs, Fleetwood Mac, The Chicks, Brad Paisley and Zac Brown Band–blending different styles of country, pop, and rock with a focus on catchy hooks, dreamy melodies and shows topping musicianship: Rachel shredding on the violin, Robbie melting faces with his electric guitar and Jesse holding down a solid rhythm on 2nd guitar. In full band mode, they are a sensational force–with the kind of musical chemistry that can only come from decades of experience, collaboration, friendship, and family. They love what they do, and they are simply exceptional. Despite launching the band during the pandemic, Hinterland performed coveted stage-storming sets at Groundwater, Savannah In The Round, Bush To Bay, and Tamworthfestivals. They are looking forward to releasing their long-awaited debut album and dominating the circuit once again in 2023. There is no one doing country music like Hinterland.
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#203 MacKenzie Porter
MacKenzie Porter, what an inspirational artist, strong and determined women. In this podcast Rae and Mackenzie discuss the art of being a women in the arts, "rejection is just redirection' and the power of taking the yes's and no's with a pinch of salt and have fun on the journey. Mackenzie is working hard touring the world and writing and recording with an incredible Nashville team to put her best music out there along with some exciting acting things when they come up.
With a string of #1 hits and collaborations MacKenzie stole the hearts of Australian country lovers while she was hear and we hope to see her back very soon.
There is nothing better than seeing someone passionate and living a life of joy and love for their craft sucseed. We are very excited to see what comes next for this increible women.
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#202 Sister2Sister
The amazing Sydney songwriting and singing Pop duo Sharon and Christine Muskat form 'Sister2Sister', Just releasing their first single 'Nothing's Gonna Bring Us Down Now' since their #3 ARIA charting single 'Sister' in 1999 and subsiquence Album in 2000. Touring with the 90's hit boy band FIVE around Australia at the end of the year they have decided to release some more origional music. These inspirational business women and artists along with having children and building a family have build an incredible singing school in Sydney and want to inspire their children and students to not let fear hold them back from chasing their dreams and having fun.
All the shows this November here: https://premier.ticketek.com.au/shows/show.aspx?sh=FIVE21
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#201 Matt Scullion
Matt Scullion has a chat with Rae Leigh about the journey as a songwriter from Austraia sitting in a ute witha broken casset player to living in Nashville chasing the dream of full time songwriter, to falling in love, coming home and working with iconic australian artists such as Lee Kerhnagan and many more having over 22 #1 Hits in australia and many more cuts, including Cold Chisel, along with recording and releasing his own music.
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