Following a successful season in 2005, BROAD was back again this year with a new line-up showcasing some of the best female talent Australia has to offer. Consisting of the quirky Kate Miller-Heidke, Killing Heidi’s Ella Hooper, country music prodigy Melinda Schneider, amazing blues and roots star Mia Dyson, and the accomplished Deborah Conway, BROAD lived up to the high expectations that had been established based upon its preceding year.
Being an all female line-up it was no surprise that it was a predominantly female audience, with the odd male who had been dragged along by their wife or partner who more than likely had the same expectations as I, that is a Young Divas-like showcase of women trying to out-sing one another to clichéd pop tunes in mini skirts. If I had only known the capabilities of these women and their efforts to get to where they are today I would have expected what they undoubtedly accomplished – a remarkable display of musicianship and companionship between five completely distinct individuals whose music and characters, although so disparate, blended together impeccably.
Beginning with a cover by the popular 60’s band The Seekers ‘Ill Never Find Another You, the ladies immediately captured the audience with their amazing five part harmonies, array of instrumentation, not to mention the light hearted humour whilst discussing the collaboration between the performers and the stories they tell of their songwriting, which created a warm and intimate environment for the audience making them feel as though they themselves were a part of the BROAD experience in its entirety.
The women went on to perform several of their own songs, with each singer accompanied by other members of the Broad troupe, delivering a truly complementary sound. The first original song of the night ‘Don’t Let Go’ was from Brisbane based singer songwriter Kate Miller-Heidke, a songwriter who has the natural ability to turn the most mundane of topics into intriguing masterpieces. She continued the humour of the night by revealing a tale of a fight her mother had with her pen pal, and later a story about moving into an apartment for the first time and one of the most witty and hilarious pieces ‘Australian Idol’, which was received with a wild applause and hysterical laughter. Kate’s melodies and lyrics are indeed idiosyncratic, developing a style and presence that she has become so loved for and with good reason. Her extensive vocal range, precise pitch and natural flair on the keyboard proved her to be a polished musician and a pleasure to watch.
Producer Deborah Conway was second to take the stage and demonstrate her inherent ability to tell a story through her music. Her strong and unique voice, which occasionally possessed characteristics of Pasty Cline (most likely a result of The Songs of Patsy Cline, which she performed in 2001) pierced through your skin, leaving you with chills and a desire for more. Although her melodies and guitar patterns at times were simple, her lyrics and the passion and emotion in her voice surpassed the simplicity to achieve a sound that could be truly felt by all in the audience.
We all know Ella Hooper as lead singer in successful rock band Killing Heidi, but following their recent split Ella has ventured out on her own and established herself as a competent solo artist whose musical ability extends far beyond Killing Heidi. Although providing the audience with the popular tunes of the band such as ‘I Am’ from the Spiderman soundtrack, Ella performed various original works that proved a success with the audience going wild. Although the youngest of the performers, Ella did not fail to correspond with the other artists, showing that this youngster has come a long way and will undoubtedly continue to improve with time and succeed as a solo artist.
Country singer Melinda Schneider joined the 2006 line-up of BROAD, not neglecting to sport county music’s characteristic sequins and mullet. As a self-proclaimed confessional musician, Schneider proclaims that every country singer needs a good divorce, using songwriting as a therapy to express her emotions of her surroundings and occurrences. Her music is lived in and heart felt with subject matters that are universal, allowing those who hear her songs to interpret and respond in their own personal and unique ways. Her song ‘Stronger’ which was written following her recent split from husband Graham Thompson truly touched all in the audience, with audible sniffles as the lyrics moved them in a way in which they could relate. Along with her clear and uninhibited vocals, out of all performers Schneider reached the audience in a way like no other. This is what music is all about!
With a hard performance to follow, but rising to the challenge and then some, the stand out of the night was undoubtedly Mia Dyson, the 24-year-old blues and roots singer/songwriter that never fails to impress. Her deep husky voice, the amazingly executed distorted Telecaster and lap steel, along with the impeccable use of an organ by the house band, combined to create a sound which penetrates into your soul. If you closed your eyes you would easily be fooled that you were in New Orleans, home of the blues in the 1940s, substantiating Mia Dyson as a true blues and roots artist, and a master of her art.
BROAD provided the audience with not only fabulous music but also some lighthearted entertainment. The women had the ability to transcend the conventional program of a music performance to a show that not only relished the audience, but also touched and inspired them, leaving all stimulated and uplifted – and for us women, immensely empowered. I’m sure we will all be waiting for BROAD 2007!
