Not many emerging musicians can say that they’ve performed at the Forum to a crowd of thousands.
For Aaliyah Bise, her appearance on stage with Boy & Bear is just the beginning of what promises to be an astronomical career in music. After posting a video of herself singing a cover to one of Boy & Bear’s songs – a band she’s “super obsessed with” – Aaliyah didn’t think much of it.
“Before I knew it, they contacted me with a DM being like, ‘hey wanna come down?’” she recalls.
Aaliyah at Be Hear Now
- Sunday, August 11
- Civic Hall, Ballarat
- Free to attend
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Next minute, she’s under the bright lights of the Forum. Performing on stage at one of Melbourne’s premier music venues is no small feat, but for Aaliyah, it’s just another step in a rapidly evolving music career that is quickly morphing into a beast of its own.
“I’ve been in contact with one of [Boy & Bear] about some of my music too,” she says, adding that the opportunity is turning up “lots of really cool stuff.” Few emerging artists get the opportunity to make such a massive leap early on, but Aaliyah is clearly the kind that charges into opportunities that might intimidate others. “I think that’s what I’m chasing with performing,” she says. “You know, being in front of a crowd that loves music and loves the music that you love – you can’t quite explain the feelings.”
As she gears up for her upcoming set at Ballarat music festival Be Hear Now on August 11, Aaliyah continues to chase the thrill of live performance. Having moved to Ballarat four years ago to study, she’s already made her mark on the vibrant music scene. “People get really invested in the local music in Ballarat,” she says. “People really love to invest their time in local artists.”
When Aaliyah first moved from Melbourne’s western suburbs to the regional city, she wasn’t sure how much of a music career she could wrangle in a smaller city. “When I moved to Ballarat, I was like, oh my god, my music career is dead,” she says, laughing. “Because I was like, what’s in Ballarat? Right?”
“People get really invested in the local music in Ballarat”
What she found was a community that, despite its size, made up for it in heart. “I’ve probably been more involved in the music industry since moving away from Melbourne than I was when I lived there, which I think is super cool.” The “tight knit community” quickly opened doors for Aaliyah, paving the way for what’s shaping up to be an incredible career. “It just feels like you’re singing with your friends,” she says.
Playing at the Civic Hall on August 11 for Be Hear Now, Aaliyah will bring her powerful voice and beautifully written original songs in a demonstration of the exciting new voices that are emerging from the city. Sharing the gig with fellow emerging muso Surfe, the event is a chance for artists to network with industry professionals and showcase the work that’s putting their names on the music map.
“I started singing as soon as I could talk”
For an artist that “started singing as soon as I could talk”, Aaliyah is a force to be reckoned with. Her set at Be Hear Now is a golden opportunity to catch this rising star before she blows up, and Aaliyah says it’s also a chance to hear some of the new material she’s working on.
“[Attendees] can expect pop rock tunes,” she says about the gig. “They can expect a really cool band [playing with me] that I love so much and who I really appreciate. You’re going to see a group of friends have a really good time for 45 minutes, and if you can just forget what’s going on outside of the venue for that time and just enjoy the tunes, then my job’s done.”
Be Hear Now marks the start of an exciting new chapter in Aaliyah’s music journey. “I’ve got a single coming out at the end of August,” she says. “I’m working on an EP – the dates are not set in stone yet, but hopefully end of this year, early next year. Just expect lots of new music to come out.” No doubt, we’ll be waiting in burning anticipation.
You can check out the full program of Be Hear Now here.
This article was made in partnership with Be Hear Now.
