THE sun had just started to poke its head over the horizon and Sara Storer was being pushed along in a trolley by fellow artist Beccy Cole.
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It was 2004 and Storer had just taken out a whopping seven Golden Guitar awards in Tamworth.
“I think Bec even wrote ‘PM’ on my forehead, I would be a terrible prime minister but we went via McDonald’s at six and I got up two hours later to do media,” Storer said.
“It took a couple of layers of makeup, that was when I was young and got stuck into it, these days it wouldn’t be the same situation.”
Storer is a vivid storyteller and an emotional songstress – growing up on a farm in Mallee, Victoria, her renditions about life in the bush are true to form.
Recently she released her single Raindance, with an album written with the help of her brother expected to follow on April 12.
“He’s a farmer from Warren so it’s helpful to get his experience and knowledge of what’s going on with our farmers at the moment,” she said.
“It’s easy because if something’s not headed in the right direction or doesn’t work you can speak up without worrying if you’ll hurt someone’s feelings.”
The song was inspired by a mob at Coonamble who held a rain dance for farmers in drought.
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It’s a high-spirited song, a change in the usual programming from some of Storer’s more sobre melodies.
It’s easy to get caught up in the heartfelt songs, Storer said.
“I’m good at writing those songs about the hard and sad times but it’s good to keep people positive – for me it was a challenge to write an up-tempo happy song,” she said.
“It fell out onto the paper, it’s [Raindance] about finding your standing ground to have your dance, maybe you’re the special person in Australia who will bring the rain with your unique creativity.”
It takes Storer around two years to write an album and for her it’s more like a diary of her life.
Largely inspired by life in the bush, she has a knack for capturing the rawness of people off the land.
A staple at Tamworth Country Music Festival, Storer has just one show planned this year.
And, there’s expected to be a few special guests on stage with her, maybe even some family members.
“I sit back when something moves me,” she said.
“For me there has to be a reason why I write a song, I don’t want to rehash old stuff or go out looking for songs.”
This year Storer’s focus has shifted to focus on her family and children, so she’s made the decision to put on one show instead of her usual.
This year Storer’s only show at Tamworth Country Music Festival is on Thursday January 24 at 1pm at Tamworth Town Hall.
Madeline Link
Madeline Link is a journalist at the Newcastle Herald, with a focus on Lake Macquarie City Council. To keep up with my stories, follow my Twitter @madeline_link, for tips email madeline.link@newcastleherald.com.au.
Madeline Link is a journalist at the Newcastle Herald, with a focus on Lake Macquarie City Council. To keep up with my stories, follow my Twitter @madeline_link, for tips email madeline.link@newcastleherald.com.au.
