Melody Moko and Natalie Henry have called in friend and mentor Catherine Britt to help celebrate women in music at the next Woman Enough concert.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Each alt-country artist will share their stories in an intimate, acoustic style at the Criterion Hotel at Singleton on December 14. All are welcome to attend - men as well as women.
Part of the Woman Enough tour is a competition for young female-identifying musicians to open each show around the country. Auditions take place online prior to the show and the winner is announced on the night.
"Melody Moko came up with the Woman Enough concept, launched it at Tamworth last year and it's taken on a life of its own - people really got behind it," Britt said.
"I think it's wonderful to have a platform to encourage young female artists because, and this is simply the way it is, men don't need as much help to get a break in the industry as women do. There's just not as many spots for women and I think that's pretty evident when it comes to radio play and that kind of thing.
"Woman Enough is about giving women a platform to sing their songs and a night to celebrate everything that is woman. From the punters' point of view, though, it's a case of come along and enjoy a great gig."
Britt, who was famously "discovered" by Sir Elton John as a teen, moved from Newcastle to Nashville at the age of 17 and scored a contract with RCA Records, feels it's her duty to help other up-and-coming artists. Melody Moko was one of them.
Woman Enough is about giving women a platform to sing their songs and a night to celebrate everything that is woman.
- Catherine Britt
"I produced her debut album and took her to meet the labels and helped her get on her feet. Now she's just taken off," Britt said.
"Being involved with Woman Enough is a good way for young artists to meet people who are making a living from music. This is our job, and how we earn our keep. There's a lot we can teach them."
Moko was a finalist in the Telstra Road To Discovery and Toyota Starmaker competitions and made the pilgrimage to Nashville. She will be giving Newcastle a taste of songs from her new album at the Stag & Hunter on December 27. Tickets are on sale now.
Henry's singing career began at the age of 34. She has made up for lost time since then, sharing her stories of love, loss and heartache on stage and with a debut single, If We Said Goodbye, produced by Bill Chambers.
As for Britt, she was supposed to be taking it easy for the rest of 2019 following the birth of her son Morrison in September. Anyone who knows Britt, though, would have laughed at this theory. She also laughs - now.
"I actually thought I was going to do nothing for a few months and just be a mum but you know me, I can't say no to stuff," she said.
"I would have been bored anyway. I think sitting at home is not for me. Having said that, I didn't realise how full on it would be with two babies - Hank is not even two yet and they're both in nappies. It's pretty hectic but I love it. I wouldn't have it any other way."
Britt says she's been "working here and there" since moving back home to Newcastle. Last weekend she performed at bushfire appeal concerts in Tamworth and on the Central Coast.
"It all starts to get crazy again with the Tamworth country music festival in January followed by my Bush Pubs Tour which takes up the rest of the year," she said.
"I've been writing a lot lately. I want to do things a bit differently with this next record. The times they are a-changing and I think I need to change with them.
"I'm an independent woman and I want to show that in my music and with this next record. I've been thinking a lot about that and what it means to my music and how I release my music. I'm just looking at things differently than I have before."
While you're with us, did you know the Newcastle Herald offers breaking news alerts, daily email newsletters and more? Keep up to date with all the local news - sign up here.