From alternative rock to acoustic guitar, Western Australian singer-songwriter Tracey Barnett is on a journey through music.
Initially from an alternative rock background, Tracey has earned a reputation for heartfelt songwriting and exhilarating shows thanks to her distinctive, high-energy brand of blues and roots.
Introduce yourself – who you are and what you're all about as an artist?
I've been performing as a solo musician for over 13 years. Though I started off as a guitarist in alternative rock bands, life has a funny way of sending you on a path to find your own unique voice and I think that was the case for me.
I still live in the same, small country town I grew up in as I like the space, quiet and being close to my family. That also means fewer people to form bands with, and after my last band had broken up I continued to write songs as I've always done, so I found a way to build the biggest sound I could as a solo act combining vocals, guitar, harmonica and some percussion with my feet.
In 2012, I took the plunge to sell a business; I had to turn my energy to music full-time. I used the money from the business to fund my first north-west tour (2012) and record my second EP ('Blooming', 2013). I've toured regional WA pretty hard since then, towing a 1977 vintage Viscount Explorer Caravan as my home away from home, but these later years has seen me flying more often as I branch out nationally.
I feel truly blessed to live the life I live. Balancing a life with a close family, amazing husband, menagerie of animals and touring the music that has given me so many opportunities for adventure, travel and meeting many wonderful people.
What's 2019 been like for you, so far?
2019 was meant to be a bit of a rest year for me. I was MEANT to settle down and focus on recording the next album.
I've still been doing that, but I've also crammed in a bunch of touring including a tour of Victoria in March and a quick trip to Queensland to compete as a finalist in the Gympie Muster Talent Search. So to wrap it up, 2019 has been hectic but full of awesome adventures and opportunities.
Your new song 'Gotta Get Me Out' has just been released; tell us about the song and how it came to be?
I wrote it during a pretty debilitating flare up of my anxiety and depression. I had been suffering more panic attacks than usual and I felt like my illness was a separate entity from myself that had swooped in to take control of my mind and body. I no longer knew how I would react to any situation in life, even the minor, normal day-to-day.
So, like I often do in these situations, I used songwriting to get the intense experience out onto paper. I find that very therapeutic, and I used the song as a promise to myself and my family that I would get through it again, and I did. Hopefully one day it will all be a nightmare of my past and no longer a part of my future.
I'm doing all I can to become a stronger and more resilient person but in the meantime I'll keep writing songs about it to cope.
You will be showcasing at WAMFest; what do you have planned for the show?
I'm super lucky to have a good friend of mine and fellow WAMFest artist Tanya Ransom joining me on percussion. We are touring down the coast from her home town of Broome the two weeks prior.
It's a new experience for people to see me as anything but solo, I've been performing solo for over 13 years now. Upbeat, fun and lots of energy is what people can expect. We're both very authentic people onstage and offstage; what you see is what you get, which makes us super approachable to come say hi.
What does it mean to be part of an event like WAMFest?
Like all festivals, it's inspiring to be around such an abundance of live music. WAMFest always feels like a community catch-up to me as well. I meet tonnes of industry people and get to explore West Aussie musicians more in-depth, while catching up with fellow musicians I haven't seen in a while.
Who are a couple of other bands also playing WAMFest punters should know about?
Ooohh, that's a seriously challenging question. It's like trying to pick which puppy is the cutest! Myself, I will be trying to catch sets from Children Of The Tide as I caught some of their set at Nannup Music Festival and it was the best vibe. Very danceable.
I also want to catch Karin Page as we've played so many festivals together and always miss each other's shows. This is hopefully the year that it will line up for us. Also on my list is Tanya Ransom and The Little Lord Street Band cos I love them.
The best thing about being a WA musician is?
I think we have it pretty good over this side of Australia. It truly is a beautiful and easy state to tour around so long as your not afraid of the open road. I've loved touring around regional West Australia for the diversity of the scenery, and the sense of freedom.
Despite the size of the state, I'm finding there's a great sense of community among artists over here. We are all in it together and willing to support each other.
What can we expect from your forthcoming album, due next year?
It's pretty darn bold! I feel like I've really grown into my own this time around. Less afraid to be my authentic self and let that shine through. That means it's a crazy blend of grunge, blues, rock, and even a hint of gospel. I'm also trying my hand at a few new instruments: lapsteel, dobro and banjo to name a few.
It's been a fun, discovery process for me, and people have been connecting with tracks I've shared live, so I'm certain listeners will love exploring the recorded versions too.
