An artist is something you are, not something you do. Living your life with purpose, intention, output – these are the marks of a true artist.
Jack River has displayed more than her fair share of all three – releasing five collective works, founding festivals and events, even pioneering political movements, River hasn't stopped.
The birth of her daughter could have been a reason to pull back, slow down. Instead, River continues to run two businesses, write and tour, inspiring women in the arts.
"I did a lot of travel and shows in the first year of my daughter's life," River confirms from her regional home, Forster. "We've kept it up. It's always been my life to travel a lot. I've been selective and consistent, doing things that look fun and exciting. I love it."
Familiar with the well-worn tracks of touring, River offers her best tip for life on the road. "I try to live in the day that I am in. As a mother, business owner and artist, life is hectic, but when I'm touring or travelling, I focus on the day and I don't stress out ahead of time.
"I live inside the day that I'm in. That's a really beautiful thing that touring has taught me. It doesn't matter what city you're in, I block that out and focus on the purpose of why I'm there, and let the landscape blur out around me."
"Great Southern Nights is an amazing initiative by the New South Wales Government to give artists support and assistance." - Jack Rivers
River's award-nominated 2018 debut album 'Sugar Mountain' shot her into the industry with a resounding bang that echoed long into the release of second album, 2023's 'Endless Summer'.
With some years passing and so much evolving in River's life, the masses eagerly await a new offering from Australia's indie-pop queen. "There are plans underway," River smiles.
"It's been almost three years since my last record and I am very deep into writing my third album. It's been really exciting to wake up to an album sitting there of different songs from the most eventful, transformative three years of my life. So yes, there's [new] music in the pipeline."
River's songs have long evoked a sense of Australian nostalgia with sweet reminiscence and an edge of sharp, thought-provoking lyricism.
Pondering the new album, one wonders whether motherhood will reshape River's compositional methodology or thematic focus. "I think the main thing is it's more direct," River comments.
"The daily power and daily surrender that comes with motherhood makes for powerful, direct songwriting. I feel more power in what I'm feeling as a woman. It opens a door into a whole other part of the universe.
"The selflessness and ego that you rely on as a songwriter to draw from and play with has gone through a washing machine and there's not much of it left. I've been A/B-ing my last album and the demos for my new album and I care so much less about the things that aren't for me.
"Each album reflects a different part of my life and that helps listeners reflect a different moment that they're in. It's not better or less. It's just different. Different moments."
Life's changes have led to numerous avenues for River's self-development. She muses on the things she has recently unlearned. "I've unlearned second guessing myself," she states with conviction.
"I've always had a layer of triple checking, second guessing, analysing and I do that much less." River is one of hundreds of artists exploding across New South Wales to perform over 300 gigs for the Great Southern Nights initiative.
Taking place in the first half of May in over 200 venues, the initiative brings live music and fantastic Australian artistry to many regional centres.
River will perform at Newcastle's King Street on 14 May. "I played a Great Southern Nights show a couple years back in Milton on Yuin Country," River confirms.
"When you play somewhere you don't necessarily play all the time, it evokes an intimacy and a closeness to the community that might not be there in a major city show.
"It's an amazing initiative by the New South Wales Government to inject live music and give artists the support and assistance to be able to play live music in the regions.
"As someone who grew up in regional Australia, in Forster, I know that it's very rare for artists to visit those towns. When they do, it inspires a whole new generation, not only to get involved in music, but to make music a part of their lives, which we know is so helpful and important to young people now more than ever.
"I'm excited about this show because it's really close to home, it's almost a hometown show."
Across the hundreds of acts are many well-known names, such as Paul Kelly, Ball Park Music, Gordi and Kasey Chambers.
Rivers shares one performance she's excited to get out and catch before her own show. "Missy Higgins. I am in a new Missy 2.0 era," River shares.
"I think her new album about her divorce and being a single mum is so incredible. She's incredible."
Jack River plays King Street (Newcastle) on 14 May as part of Great Southern Nights' 2026 programme, which runs across the state 1-17 May featuring 300-plus concerts.
Great Southern Nights 2026 Line-up
3%
Amber Lawrence
Angel White
Augie March
Baker Boy
Ball Park Music
Beddy Rays
Bliss N Eso
Boy Soda
Cloud Control
Denzel Curry
Dope Lemon
Dune Rats
Electric Fields
Emma Donovan
Genesis Owusu
Golden Features
Gordi
Hannah Joy (Middle Kids)
Hatchie
Hellions
Jack River
Jaguar Jonze
James Reyne
Jess Hitchcock
Jessica Mauboy
Jet
Jk-47
Jon Stevens
Kah-Lo
Kasey Chambers
Kath Ebbs Presents Cowboy Country
Keli Holiday
Kita Alexander
KLP
Larissa Lambert
Lime Cordiale
Lisa Simone
Maddy Jane
Maple's Pet Dinosaur
Matt Corby
May-A
Meg Mac
Memphis LK
Missy Higgins
Ninajirachi
Pania
Paul Kelly
Peking Duk
Pete Murray
Playlunch
Regurgitator
Sara Berki
Shane Howard + Shane Nicholson + Sara Storer
Sons Of The East
Steph Strings
The Cat Empire
The Chats
The Colliflowers
The Cruel Sea
The Grogans
The Jungle Giants
The Living End
The Terrys
The Vanns
The Whitlams (Orchestral)
Thelma Plum
Them & I
Thundercat
Trials
VV Pete
WAAX
What So Not
WILSN
Young Franco
Plus more to be announced!
