Jacynta’lee is a country-pop artist from Far North Queensland who released her debut single in 2021 and has released several songs since. In our recent interview, to chat about her latest single, ‘That’s Alright’, Jacynta’lee talked about working with in-demand Melbourne producing pair MSquared – Michael Delorenzis and Michael Paynter – on the track.

The song was inspired, says Jacynta’lee, by a personal experience where someone commented on her tomboyish behaviour, leading her to write a song about self-acceptance and the importance of not changing for others. The experience of writing it with MSquared was so positive that while she used to prefer to write solo, Jacynta’lee is now a convert to co-writes.

Growing up in a musical family – her mother is a vocal coach – Jacynta'lee taught herself to play guitar at age 12. Of her early exposure to country music through her parents’ record collection, she says:

‘I ended up just falling in love with it. And I've also ended up falling in love with songwriting because of that. I love the songs where you can paint a picture in your head.’

At age 16 Jacynta’lee attended Camerata, as the Junior Academy of Country Music was then known, on a scholarship after the original recipient, Nathan Lamont, had to decline it!

Of the continuing influence of that Camerata experience on her life and music, Jacynta’lee says, ‘I think just being surrounded by music for … two weeks with people that are aspiring to do what you're doing at such an impressionable age – they're lifelong connections, I think.’

Looking ahead to the rest of the year, Jacynta’lee has plans to release an EP and she also has several big events coming up. With her high-energy country-pop sound and fantastic voice, she is sure to win even more fans at shows and with her new music.

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Tanya Ransom is an alt-country artist from the west coast of Australia, with over 15 years of experience on the Australian touring circuit, two independent albums and an EP. She has a third album, The Significance of Time, due for release sometime soon – date tbc – and from it has the new single ‘Winter Song’.

This interview was recorded in February, as Ransom was planning to release the album earlier in the year, but as is the way of things with releases – and life in general! – plans changed. So you may hear some dates mentioned that are now past, but the conversation is still relevant and will only whet your appetite for the album, which is a truly lovely piece of work.

A big part of the impact of Ransom’s music is her voice, which I loved when I heard her 2017 album The Art of Departing and through the releases since. There is a quality to it that’s hard to explain but which I think has something to do with the places she is prepared to go to, within herself, as an artist.

As Ransom writes about the human condition – in big themes and small details – this conversation delves into some of the reasons why, and we look at some of the songs in detail. We also talk about Ransom’s background as an artist as well as her career, which has included a 2021 EP with the memorable title Breakdown to Breakthrough.

You can preorder The Significance of Time on Bandcamp.

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Amber Kenny is from the Southern Highlands of New South Wales, where she lives on a farm with her family, horses and cherished Maton guitar.

I first saw Kenny perform in Tamworth during the 2024 Country Music Festival, appearing at the album launch for her 3 Birds & the Truth bandmate Jo Caseley (the third Bird is Beth Lucas), and knew she had plans to release music, but nothing appeared for the rest of that year. The reason why is something Kenny raises early in our interview to talk about her new album, Beautiful Scars, which is out now on vinyl, CD and via Bandcamp (the title single – and earlier singles – are available on streaming services now). I asked her what the beautiful scars might be and she offered the answer with vulnerability and complete transparency, and I acknowledge the responsibility in receiving it.

The story that Kenny tells of the album’s creation is one of creative commitment and perseverance and, above all, love of music. She is an artist who is fully immersed in the world around her and documents her experiences in song. We talk about the songs as well as her formation as an artist, including her formative time at the CMAA Academy of Country Music. I’m sure you will find Kenny as interesting as I did, and hope you will then seek out her music.

Amber Kenny plays regularly, especially around the Southern Highlands, and you can see her gig schedule at https://amberkennymusic.com.au

Listen to Amber Kenny on Apple Music

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