There are few pop princesses that capture Australiana with such integrity and soul-searching lyricism as Thelma Plum.
Even from the early days of 'Father Said', her incredibly unique voice carried her words with a certainty that demanded to be heard. "There has been no time that I was not singing," Plum confides about her lifelong calling."I came out of the womb singing. My mum had lots of friends in cool bands and, as a baby, I was cooing notes back to them. I used to love singing Delta Goodrem. I would have been seven when that first record came out, and it meant a lot to me. My mum was such a music lover, she showed me Paul Kelly and Bob Dylan, but I loved the pop girlies."
Asked if she would collaborate with Goodrem, Plum confirms "it's literally my dream". When it comes to collaborators, Plum has worked with multiple amazing producers, but one has seen her through her toughest thematic songs.
Alex Burnett of Sparkadia has worked with many artists from DJ Snake to Chaka Khan, and his deft touch laid a perfect platform for emotional tracks such as 'Homecoming Queen' and 'Better In Blak'.
"I was such a Sparkadia fan," Thelma reflects on her first meeting with Alex, and why the pair work so well together. "I saw them play at Big Day Out when I was 15, and it was so much fun. I remember meeting him. If only I could tell teenage me that we're working together.
"We have a lot of fun. Sometimes there is that chemistry you have with your collaborators, it's hard to describe. Sometimes it happens and sometimes it doesn't. With the two of us, it just happened. The songs that I'm most proud of, I've made with him. I love working with him."
Among other things Plum loves, the country holds a special place in her heart. So much so that she has announced a regional tour of 19 dates that will bring music to ears often left too long without its presence. "I'm a country kid," she shares.
"I grew up in the country outside of Delungra, and Brissie as well. I spent my formative years on my grandparents' farm. Bush kids deserve gigs. Whenever I do regional shows, I'll go out and play in places a bit further from the city.
"It's a nice vibe and usually very community minded. People are really into it, it's an exchange that feels really special."
However, those in Brisbane won't have to wait long for their princess to return or for world class entertainment, as May sees Open Season kick off across the city bringing unforgettable music and arts events hot enough to keep winter at bay.
Plum will perform alongside the iconic Christine Anu and the fire-tongued Miss Kaninna for Blak Day Out (26 July), the celebration of First Nations artists that always tops the festival. "I grew up listening to Auntie Christine, so this feels so special and nice," Thelma smiles.
"I remember meeting her and thinking, 'this is unreal, I'm talking to Auntie Christine Anu'. She was asking me about my music, that was really special; and Miss Kaninna's a sissy of mine, we just did a tour together recently, so it'll be nice to be together again. She's really awesome and definitely leading the next generation of artists."
Plum's songs often hit home with an intensity that leaves the listener forever changed. She reflects on how they continue to do the same for her, and how seeing their reception heals parts of herself.
"Recently, I remember feeling a bit apprehensive about releasing 'Nobody's Baby’ as a single. Sometimes you get these funny feelings. It had only been out for a week, and I performed somewhere and everybody knew the words and was singing along.
"I remember that feeling very different. Since then, that's the one that people have been getting the most lively during at shows. So now I have this newfound love for that song.
"I've always felt the most proud of writing 'Homecoming Queen', and live it is so special, especially when there are young women around and young black kids. I always cry all the time whenever I think about the bridge.
"It's like, 'in 1967, I wasn't human,' because when my dad was born, he was classed as flora and fauna, he wasn't recognised as a human being. Whenever I sing that line and there are Aboriginal people in the room who know what that feels like, because their parents went through the same thing, that brings new life to that song.
"That song did help me, it was very therapeutic. Listening to young black kids or just any kids, seeing a young Aboriginal girl that looks like how I looked and they're singing those lyrics, it's very healing for my inner child, because I see these kids and think you're so beautiful and gorgy and deadly. It makes me feel sad that I didn't think that about myself at the time, that I thought I'm not beautiful and I'll never be."
It's a beautiful thing for someone to take their pain and create something that heals others. It's even better when it heals the artist as well.
Thelma Plum plays Blak Day Out as part of Open Season, joined by Christine Anu, Miss Kannina and more at The Princess Theatre (Brisbane) 26 July.
Thelma Plum 2025 Tour Dates
Tue 20 May - The Rechabite (Perth)Wed 21 May - The River Hotel (Margaret River)
Sat 24 May - Kimberly Moon Experience (Kununurra)
Thu 29 May - UOW Uni Bar (Wollongong)
Fri 30 May - UC Refectory (Canberra)
Sat 31 May - Beer Deluxe (Albury)
Sat 7 Jun - Barunga Festival (Barunga)
Wed 11 Jun - Dark Mofo (Launceston)
Fri 13 Jun - Kings Beach Tavern (Sunshine Coast)
Sat 14 Jun - Green Room (Byron Bay)
Thu 19 Jun - Theatre Royal (Castlemaine)
Fri 20 Jun - Her Majesty Theatre (Ballarat)
Sat 21 Jun - Barwon Heads Hotel
Thu 26 Jun - Drifters (Central Coast)
Fri 27 Jun - Finnians (Port Macquarie)
Thu 3 Jul - GPAC (Gippsland)
Fri 4 Jul - The Pier (Frankston)
Sat 5 Jul - Riverlinks (Shepparton)
Sat 26 Jul - Blalk Day Out @ Open Season @ The Princess Theatre (Brisbane)
