Dr Lou Bennett. I met Lou ten years ago when I played on her Lou Bennett and The Sweet Cheeks album, Hold My Hand?. We hit it off, and happened to be neighbours at the time, so we became friends. Lou then sang on my second record and continued to be a mentor for me as a strong woman in music leading a diverse career.
Deborah Conway. I was part of Deb’s Broad series in 2007, the last of the all-female in the round-style tours she curated and led during the 2000s. She’s an incredible songwriter, and an innovative artist, still producing top shelf records and she’s maintained a thriving career for over three decades.
Neil Murray. Neil and I met at the Lake Bolac Eel Festival when I was a young, impressionable songwriter. I was a bit star struck to meet him and we’ve kept in touch since. I love the Warumpi Band. I love that they produced these incredible punk rock’n’roll songs and, from all reports, were blistering live. Neil has such an Australian-ness to the way he writes, a deep understanding of place that I really respond to as a listener.
Mick Thomas. Mick has been a mentor and collaborator for me since we met around 2008. I’ve played in a band with him, was part of the Vandemonian Lags stage show that he and his brother wrote and put together, have spent countless hours talking about music and football and everything in between. He’s been a real champion of my career and continues to produce top quality albums and live shows.
