Singer performs for world stage

SINGER Jackie Van Velzen is seeking South Gippsland’s support to succeed in a worldwide online music competition.
The Kardella South performer regularly plays at McCartins Hotel in Leongatha and the Austral Hotel in Korumburra.
She has performed at the famed Espy Hotel in St Kilda and this year made Triple J’s Unearthed song list.
Now she is taking part in the international busking contest, Feeling the Street.
The top 10 vocalists will win a mystery trip of a lifetime. Mrs Van Velzen is now ranked 12th.
The winners of each section of vocals, guitar, percussion, brass and miscellaneous will form a band and tour New Zealand.
Her nominated song, Shame, is based on a sad story.
“It’s about my cousin who had a drug overdose when we were kids and the song’s about how it’s a shame he did not get to live a good life,” she said.
“We were so close growing up and we could have grown up together. He could have come to my wedding and met my kids.”
Shame features guitar and backing vocals by Jason Vorherr, who is now touring with Australian music icon Daryl Braithwaite, and cellist Kirsten Rule, who has played at the Sydney Opera House.
Mrs Van Velzen wrote the song for her guitar before opting for the heartfelt sounds of piano, with some cello, instead.
Her style is typically acoustic, folk and indie tunes, a mix of covers, old and new.
“I’ve been singing forever but only been gigging for two years,” she said.
She’s working on her first EP of six songs and will perform at the Mirboo North Art Show on May 9.
Studying to be a primary school teacher, Mrs Van Velzen paid tribute to the support of her family, ‘roadie’ husband Rob and children Anika, five, and Max, two.
To listen to, and vote for, Mrs Van Velzen’s song Shame, head to http://feelingthestreet.com/profile/jackie-van-velzen
Readers can also hear Shame on Triple J at www.triplejunearthed.com/artist/jackie-v
Just click on the play button in the green bar.

Playing from the heart: Kardella South musician Jackie Van Velzen is asking for South Gippsland’s support as she competes in a worldwide online music competition.

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Posted by Sarah Vella on May 5 2015. Filed under Community. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry