Indie pop/ rock artist Monique Brumby has been flourishing in the Australian music scene for more than 20 years.
To celebrate the release of her fifth studio album, she's charming fans with a national tour. “I'm looking forward to connecting with people in a large format. I love the interaction and the interplay between the band and the live audience. It's very much a collective. The energy goes out and comes back, creating this cyclic sort of effect. I'm looking forward to that very much,” says the two-time ARIA Award winner.
Audiences can expect a lively and diverse show from the singer/songwriter/ producer who also juggles mentoring for a music program she runs for young people with chronic illnesses. “There will be lots of diversity in terms of style and songwriting. People can expect a bit of storytelling about my life experiences and my observations of life and humanity. Just a good fun show. I don't like to get too serious with things, so a lot of lighthearted moments as well.”
Her new, self-titled album was three years in the making and Brumby believes all her hard work in that time has paid-off. “A lot of work went into the production and songwriting so I'm feeling really excited about it. My music sort of fluctuates from pop rock to a bit of old country and some soul rock as well.
“A lot of the songs are autobiographical on this album, but they’re also about broader issues such as finding freedom and expression through creativity and people overcoming adversity. There are themes of love and loss... some different content on there. It's therapy and I love writing music because it helps me to be able to express ideas that I have.”
Brumby's politically driven pop-rock single, 'Silent War', was released last month and touches on the issue of marriage equality and accepting differences. “It's an expression of my life experience to be honest and I know there are a lot of people who feel like me. I think that rather than letting these issues sort of just slip away again it's important to put them out there. I have a very loving relationship with my wife, Sophie. We would love to see marriage open to us and be able to say that we are married if we chose to do so. I think it's an important issue and it goes beyond that. I think it's about governments saying you know all people are equal.”
In the past Brumby has spoken of her feelings of isolation because of her sexuality and has learned valuable life lessons from her experiences. “I think at some point in life everyone goes through something difficult they have to overcome. I believe through adversity comes a lot of learning and strength. I've gained a lot of knowledge and inner strength from the isolation that I felt in the early part of my life. It doesn’t necessarily have to come about through sexuality.
“Young people these days suffer a lot from bullying for all sorts of different reasons. Basically superficial things like where they live, the clothes they wear, what their parents do, their religious background or their race. Overcoming adversity is apart of the human experience and I think that the trouble that I have had in my life has shaped me to be able to be a better songwriter and a more grounded person.”
Brumby believes 'Silent War' would be beneficial for an equal rights advertising campaign and won't object to any fitting offers. “Ellen and Portia should have it as their theme song when they come to Australia. It would be excellent,” jokes Monique.
After her extended national tour the Hobart musician will be getting straight back into work. “We'll be going to go back and make another record. I'll be recording another album in January/ February next year."
