|
bio
"The beauty of these songs lies in the balance between their strengths and vulnerability” – Paul Kelly
about Natalie's debut solo album My Hetti Prince.
In short
Natalie Gillespie is a female singer songwriter whose powerful songs take us on a
journey many miles deep. Having toured nationally and internationally with Yothu Yindi
Natalie is currently recording her second album with well loved blues musicians Dave
Brewer and Lucky Oceans. Ranging in styles from soulful folk to acoustic rock
Natalie is a passionate storyteller with a universal message of struggle, hope and joy.
In long
Having spent most of her life performing, touring, writing and recording, Natalie
Gillespie has cemented her position as one of Australia’s most accomplished
independent female artists.
Since returning to her hometown of Perth in 2001, Natalie concentrated on writing
and recording her own music. The result was her debut solo album ‘My Hetti
Prince’, recorded in 2003 with the aid of Artswa funding. The album, produced by
the Jeremy Allom (Massive Attack, Incognito), features such industry heavy weights
as Grammy award winner Lucky Oceans, Golden Guitar winner Ian Simpson and
the distinctive drumming of Rob Hirst (Midnight Oil).
Since independently releasing My Hetti Prince, Natalie has undertaken two national
tours, played festivals along side The Waifs, Tex Perkins, Archie Roach and
supported artists such as Joan Armatrading, Boz Scaggs, George Benson,
Tina Arena and James Blundell.
Natalie’s tribute to Mundaway Yunnipingu ‘Yongu Man’ was recently arranged by Iain
Grandage and performed with his 4 piece string quartet Wood. They were invited to
perform this moving piece at the State Art Sponsorship Scheme Awards and the
Premier’s Awards in front of discerning crowds including the Premier of Western
Australia Geoff Gallop.
|
Natalie’s success has been the result of a lifetime devoted
to music. Moving to Sydney from Perth in 1991, she was immediately
asked to join Beatfish with James Freud and Martin Plaza
as both lead and backing vocalist. While on tour with Beatfish
in Los Angeles in 1992 as part of the Wizards of Oz Showcase,
Natalie met Yothu Yindi who asked her to join them on their
world tour www.yothuyindi.com.
She toured solidly for the next three years, playing clubs,
festivals, cultural and TV events; supporting bands such
as Nirvana, the Grateful Dead, Pearl Jam, and Crowded House.
She recorded ‘Freedom’, Yothu Yindi's third studio album
and the live album alternative NRG at the Oakland Coliseum,
San Francisco. While with Yothu Yindi, Natalie gained recognition
and great experience playing to large crowds in Australia,
Europe, Japan, Canada, and the USA.
Embarking on her own songwriting career in 1995, Natalie
moved to Los Angeles and had the pleasure of performing
and recording with one of her favourite songwriters, Colin
Hay from Men at Work. She regularly played small acoustic
venues around LA and New York. Returning to Sydney in 1998,
Natalie signed a deal with Universal Publishing. Quickly
becoming a popular icon in the Club Acoustica scene in and
around Sydney and Melbourne. She also started working closely
with Rob Hirst from Midnight Oil, writing songs and performing
in his other band the Ghostwriters www.ghostwriters.com.au.
In 2000 Natalie played a big part in the recording and showcasing
of the Olympic Album, performing along side some great Australian
artists such as Diesel, Marcia Hines, Deborah Conway and
Daryl Braithwaite.
Natalie feels blessed to now be working on her next album with two of the most
talented and beautiful men in the industry, Dave Brewer and Lucky Oceans. She
constantly surrounds herself with musicians who challenge and inspire her. She
recently put together a band with Dave Brewer, playing songs from ‘My Hetti
Prince’, trying out new originals and jamming on old soul classics.
|
“Gillespie’s tribute to Mundaway Yunnipingu, uplifting, inspiring
and full of love” - Annym Magazine
“The album is a hard won collection of stories… brought to life
by time, talent and a lot of creative wisdom” - Wax Magazine
www. nataliegillespie.com Copyright
© 2005 all rights reserved
Privacy Policy & Disclaimer
|