By Jessica Micallef
Malmsbury musician Lucy Wise has performed across the country, New Zealand, the UK and the USA.
What is your connection to Sunbury and/or the Macedon Ranges?
As a musician who grew up in a family that performed at festivals, I have a lot of family and friends in the Macedon Ranges. Many musicians and artists have settled down in the Macedon Ranges, which is also what partly drew my partner and I to the area. Having grown up in a small town in Western Australia, I was feeling ready for a change after 10 years in Melbourne.
What are you passionate about?
I am passionate about telling stories through songs. In my performances, I find that when I tell my stories in a real and authentic way, it seems to help others to connect with their own stories, and to learn how to share them with others.
How long have you been singing before?
I’ve been singing since I was very little. My parents have always encouraged me and my sisters to sing, and I started performing with my family when I was eight.
What has been some of your notable performances?
I have performed at Woodford Folk Festival in Queensland, Port Fairy Folk Festival in Victoria, and The National Folk Festival in Canberra. I’ve toured folk clubs around the UK and New Zealand, and I’ve also performed in lounge rooms, at events called house concerts, all across USA.
What do you enjoy most about performing?
I love how a great concert can create a shared sense of humanity amongst the audience members. I love it when people stay to chat after the concert, and I love hearing people’s stories of why they relate to certain moments in my songs.
What do you do outside the music world?
I do lots of things outside of music. I paint, work in the garden, help out friends with their gardens. Currently my main source of income is teaching instrumental music lessons in guitar, singing and ukulele. At the moment I’m doing mainly music-related things, but over the years I’ve had lots of different occupations outside of music. I’ve been a waitress, delivery driver, admin assistant, retail assistant, an arts student. For the moment it feels great to be doing what I love best for a living.
What would people be most surprised to know about you?
My favourite toast topping is vegemite and almond butter together.
