BUILDING emotional connection in lyrics and vocals flow naturally for Elise Drake since returning to her roots on the Murray River.
After some time away in Melbourne and Byron Bay, the singer-songwriter has been welcomed with open arms to her twin border hometown of Barham-Koondrook.
Drake will perform a Sunday session at the Swan Hill Club beer garden on Sunday – Father’s Day – in her first gig at the venue, from 3pm-6pm.
“I started playing the guitar when I was very young, about 11, and then didn’t touch it for a long time … for about 10 years,” she told The Guardian.
“My sister and I sang together when we were teenagers. I studied music business at university, but my heart has always been in the performing side of things.
“I started again about four years ago when living in Byron and that kind of started it all for me. Then I moved back south just before COVID and now playing lots of gigs at the moment.
“It was really my musician friends in Byron who encouraged me to get back into music again, after a 10-year hiatus.
“They invited me to sing on their recordings and provide backup vocals at their shows. From there I joined a cover band called Pink Zinc and played gigs regularly all up the East Coast.
“It feel like a natural thing for me to do (perform in front of people). It’s not just a great relief for me to do that, but great to interact with other people and share music with others because we do often take it for granted.
“I’ve always written poetry, so I thought it was time I started writing my own songs.”
Drake has played in bars, pubs, at festivals and events, and recently performed as the supporting act for Mama Kin Spender in Kerang, which she said was the “most important gig that I’ve done”.
Drake writes her own songs and released her debut extended play (EP) in January, titled In Waves, which is available online, including Spotify and Apple Music.
She has released three singles so far, Cellphone, Far Away and Another Town.
“It was a really good experience in that it was my first time I had recorded my own songs during the lockdowns – all done remotely which was interesting,” Drake said.
“When I knew lockdowns were going to be a long-term thing, I bought myself some recording equipment and new gear to record from home.
“I sent it to friends in America to produce and play instruments on it, then sent files back and forth, so we weren’t ever in the same room together.
“We bounced ideas around at 5am in the morning because of the time difference.
“It took about 1.5 years; it was a process but well worth it.”
Music has always been Drake’s “medicine”.
“There is an emotional connection to my songs and it’s always been my saviour – it’s very therapeutic to do that as art,” she said.
“I’m still getting to know everyone in the music and art scene around here, but I feel like the area is so widespread that there are things no-one would know about.
“There would be an artist tucked away in a tiny town an hour away and you wouldn’t know about them.”
Living on a farm is also inspiration for Drake’s heart, mind and soul.
“There is so much space, it’s nice to make as much noise as you like,” she said. “I don’t have a neighbour in an apartment tapping on the walls.
“My cat is my biggest fan but he runs off half the time.
“I draw inspiration from everything really – art, nature, relationships, family, film.
“I have a lot of talented friends with whom I collaborate with regularly which is of great inspiration to me. They keep me motivated and hold me accountable. Daniel Johns, Stevie Nicks, Lana Del Rey, Jack White, Ryan Adams and PJ Harvey are all songwriters who inspire me greatly.”
