Starting out in her family’s back paddock signing to an audience of sticks to opening the 2020 Tamworth Country Music Festival, Sally Jane is a talent to keep an eye on!

How did it all begin for Sally Jane? Tell us the story,

I have always sung, sometimes maybe too much and I was regularly sent to the back of the paddock to pick up sticks and sing my heart out. At 12 years old I started learning guitar and by 15 my parents thought I started sounding alright so we went to the local pub and I did an audition and got my first gig a day later. My dad then accidentally found the CMAA Junior Academy and with just under 2 weeks to apply for the academy we got my application in and I was accepted and I haven't stopped performing since.

Creative process… talk us through it!

I don’t really have one. I normally think of an idea, get distracted, then I come back to it later when I remember. You need to have a good structure to run a successful business so that’s one thing I am definitely working on. I am lucky I have a great support network and can rely on them for motivation and support.

Something new/cool you discovered lately?

From the start of May till the end of July I have been on tour promoting my Debut EP “You & I” around Western Australia. Some of the places we have travelled to I have never been so it’s been an amazing experience to see more of our beautiful country and my home state. I have especially loved seeing the Kimberley’s and all the gorgeous spots around. We even got rained in at the Bungle Bungles! On my tour I have also met some incredible people and got to listen to their stories and they have now become new friends.

What makes you feel alive?

Being on stage. Whether it’s one person or 50,000 in the audience I love being up on that stage performing. It’s especially exhilarating when the crowd is singing my own songs back to me.

Would you share your fave playlist with us?

My Dad’s iTunes account. It’s the music I grew up listening to and still listen to today. He has everything from the classic Australian rock to the modern country you hear on the radio today. I introduced him to Luke Combs and he has introduced me to many of the artists I have met and performed with including Adam Harvey and Kasey Chambers.

Who is your hero?

My Dad. He spent 25 years full time in the Royal Australian Navy and some of the things he’s done and seen I couldn’t possibly imagine myself being brave or strong enough to do. He is now a full time underpaid professional amateur roadie, sound engineer, sometimes body guard and chauffeur for me. Anyone who joined the defence force and spent time serving our country is a hero to me.

Fun Fact about you?

I have just bought my first car, it’s a Toyota 75 series 1997 Troopy and has become my pride and joy (I now understand why boys are so obsessed with their cars) and I am in the process now of fitting it out for more music travels.

I also have two horses, my homebred Neville an Andalusian x Thoroughbred we are about to break in and hopefully start riding. And my Arab x Riding Pony Ellie, we love competing in the Prince Phillip Mounted Games and as well as show jumping though I tend to fall off more than staying on.

Who/what have been the biggest influences on your music?

I have three main influences on my music. Starting with Kasey Chambers. She is so unique with her voice, style and songs. I love her songwriting and aspire to be a storyteller with my own lyrics. I have been fortunate to sing a duet and meet her a few times and she is such a genuine person.

Fanny Lumsden is an incredibly smart businesswoman. I’ve found that to be successful in the music industry you must have a business model. Fanny inspires me to work harder at my business and think outside of the box as to how I can promote myself.

Bradley Hall is a A Nyiyaparli man from the Eastern Pilbara and the most supportive artist towards my music career. He is so passionate about supporting and promoting West Australian artists and every time I have a gig with him we all have a blast and he reminds me what music is about.

How do you keep yourself inspired?

We are constantly travelling on the road with music which means seeing new places and meeting new people. We’ve seen the good, bad and everything in between and all of the moments we've had have been inspiring in one way or another.

What’s in the works for you at the moment? Give us something to look forward to please!

I have a number of songs ready for recording and also another tour already in the planning stages. Make sure you follow my Facebook and Instagram at Sally Jane Music to follow my music journey and check out my website www.sallyjanemusic.com.au to keep up to date with my gigs.