BILLIE &HER By Melissa Walsh
O
ne of Australia’s most talented singer-songwriters Wendy Matthews has recorded a live album (Billie and Me) with long time collaborators Brendan St Ledger on piano and Greg Royal on stand-up bass inspired by the music and soul of the late Billie Holiday. The Mornington Peninsula gets to enjoy the talents of this iconic singer songwriter in December. Peninsula Essence talks to Wendy about life, following your passions and a career that is the epitome of longevity. “We are actually really excited to be doing the gig on the peninsula this month as it’s the only ‘Billie and Me’ show we are doing during this tour. We love that it is so intimate and a great way to chill out and connect with the audience,” said Matthews, who has been performing since she was 15. “I have never had a singing lesson in my life but grew up surrounded by music with parents who had an eclectic music collection, and my mum taught piano. I would lock myself away and mime to a lot of women singers much to my brother’s horror.”
E ssence
10 | PENINSULA
December 2018
The Canadian born singer-songwriter has always gravitated to Australians rather than Americans even when she was living in LA, so it’s no wonder she ended up on the great southern land. “In LA I hung out with a lot of Australians. The Canadians and Aussies have s similar sense of humour and it felt comfortable.” Matthews says that’s precisely how she felt when she came to Australia at the age 22. “I met Glenn Shorrock in LA and he asked me to sing on his album and fly to Sydney to tour with his band,” said Matthews. “I was a little nervous but as soon as I got to Australia, I felt right at home.” Although she says 22 sounds so young now, looking back Matthews had always been independent since leaving home at 16. “I took to the road when I was 16 after my family broke up, hitchhiked and busked around Canada, the US and Mexico. The funny thing is I didn’t mean to leave permanently. I just took off and never went home,” she said. “It’s only when I look back now that I realise how young I was.”
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