An emerging indie artist, Bridget O'Shannessy has more than ten years experience in the music industry that includes opening for Gotye's The Basics and performing on the catwalks of London and Shanghai Fashion Weeks.
Bridget explores a new synth-pop sound that's reminiscent of the ‘80s-'90s, with her current release titled 'Sydney Street'.A song about finding the comfort to be single, 'Sydney Street' recently won the Development Award as part of the 2022 QUBE Effect programme.
"['Sydney Street'] is about finding comfort in being alone, finding a home somewhere outside of your comfort zone, and being okay with the uncertainty of being single, and describes the home I found in my apartment on Sydney Street in New Farm," Bridget says.
"Building a life from the broken pieces someone left behind can be excruciating or it can be a beautiful process. There's something whimsical in rediscovering yourself in sparkling city skylines.
"Something intoxicating about blurring the lines between love and lust, and something liberating in getting dressed up just to dance in the streets between locations. Albeit the pain and the scars linger, however, with perspective, mending can be cathartic.
"I spent my time searching for my own home in different boys and the same daydream until I got some new perspective from my castle on Sydney Street.
"Literally, it talks about the apartment on Sydney Street in New Farm that my sister and I moved into; it had this amazing rooftop that looked out over the city.
"I moved out of my family home before the Sydney Street apartment but this time was different. I had left a toxic relationship, I got a casual job working in a glamorous hotel nearby and I was going to make friends and memories.
"That's what 'Sydney Street' is about. Making friends and memories after something traumatic like that relationship."
Who is... My name is Bridget and I'm an Aussie based indie synth-pop singer-songwriter.
I sound like... 2001 Kylie Minogue, Troye Sivan, 1989 era TS – the kind of songs you listen to with a G'n'T before going out on the town.
My first gig was... A bar in Tamworth back when I was way too young to be in a bar.
When did you settle on the group's name, and was it a unanimous decision... When it was appointed to me by my parents in 1999. Haha! No, but in all seriousness, it's just my name.
In the studio I usually... Unironically mimic Ariana Grande doing her little 'sheesh' or 'yuh yuh' thing until my brother (who is also my producer) decides to kill me. In my defence though, it did start out as an ironic thing.
If I could tour with anyone... Shania Twain because she's a god.
Social media is... An addictive hassle.
My favourite app at the moment is... Notes, always Notes. I use it for literally everything; I write down my friends coffee orders, what kind of jewellery they wear for gift ideas, thoughts, lyrics, to do and shopping lists, affirmations. I can go on and on. I'm writing my answers to these questions in Notes for heaven's sake!
To date, my most embarrassing moment was the time... When the click track came out of the front of house speakers on our first song. My stomach did flips.
Life on the road can be... Cathartic. I've never been a big 'holidayer', so when I'm on the road I usually take the time to slow down, write lyrics, explore.
If you'll have me on your bill, all I ask is that the rider contains... I don't worry too much about riders, I just want a good latte.
The most scary scenario I've found myself in, was... Playing 'Love Story' at Johnny Ringo's when I was about 17 and the biggest, scariest cowboy you've ever seen took off his RM Williams belt and started clapping it above his head and aggressively singing every, single word. That was the day I decided 'Love Story' had to be one of the best songs of all time.
What celebrity/ famous person would you love to be your spokesperson... Jane Fonda because she is an absolute force to be reckoned with.
If you had to live in a city abroad, where would you choose and why? Notting Hill in London will always be my favourite place, but I'd love to go to Ireland one day and see the 'O'Shannessy' castle. Apparently it's called Findaun Castle.
Three people you'd like to invite around for a dinner party... If this is like that job interview question people ask that allows for historical figures then I would invite June and Johnny Cash, and Patsy Cline so my cat can meet her namesake.
If we were coming over to your place, what would you cook us? I would frantically call my sister to ask her what I should make and she would come up with something delicious then walk me through the grocery store, still on the phone, tell me how to cook it step by step, pair the dinner with a wine and a make suggestions for dessert and you would be very pleased.
When it comes to pets are you a lover or hater of our furry friends? LOVER! I grew up with cats and dogs and chickens and horses and cows and ducks. Love animals.
No matter the expense, send me a case of... Four Pillars Shiraz Gin and Fever Tree extra dry ginger ale.
The last time I saw the inside of a gym was... I genuinely can't remember.
What's the one chore you dislike the most? Love chores, I'm a bit of a nerd like that but I get stressed about doing my taxes.
Do you have any phobias... Peeling prawns! Bleh! It's just icky.
Would you ever partake in a reality show? I feel like I'd enjoy 'The Great British Bake Off'. I don't know why, I think I'd enjoy it because I'm terrible at baking, but it looks fun and wholesome.
If you could prank any of your friends, who's your target, and how are you bringing them down? If I tell you, then I have to kill you.
Best local takeaway joint for a midnight feed that will leave you with a food coma? Betty's Burgers is my guilty pleasure. I get the Classic Burger, small French fries and a choc-peanut butter milkshake. Then I'm out, cold, on the couch.
Which fictional character best describes your personality? I'm a Rachel to some, a Monica to others. Despite the guitar aspect, I've never been a Phoebe. I'm a healthy combination of Samantha, Carrie, Miranda and Charlotte. I'm not quite dark and twisty enough to relate to Meredith, but I sometimes share similar values to Christina.
Last show you binge-watched? My life is a rotation of 'Friends' and 'Grey's Anatomy'. Both of those top to tail gets me through the year and then I start again. They're just so good! I did really enjoy 'Anatomy Of A Scandal' though, I hope they do a second season.
Bridget O'Shannessy 2022 Tour Dates
Fri 30 Sep - Lefty's Music Hall (Brisbane)Sat 1 Oct - Brooklyn Standard (Brisbane)
Sat 8 Oct - Lefty's Music Hall (Brisbane)
Sat 29 Oct - Lefty's Music Hall (Brisbane)
Sat 19 Nov - Lefty's Music Hall (Brisbane)
Sat 17 Dec - Lefty's Music Hall (Brisbane)
