Undeniably the new darling of Australian country music, burgeoning singer-songwriter Michaela Jenke could be forgiven for having stars in her eyes.
Her irresistible performance at the Tamworth Country Music Festival, where she won the Battle of the New Stars title, has capped a stellar year that saw the release of her debut EP and music video.
But like her musical style, Michaela’s humility is refreshing and genuine.
“I don’t have some flash goal to play on some world stage – I just want to be able to make a living out of music and do what I love every day,” says the 22-year-old from Nuriootpa.
“I’m not really into the easy way out. People ask me ‘why don’t you go on The Voice’ but often – not always, but often – people don’t go on to have sustainable careers. I don’t think you can gain 10 years of experience through five minutes of fame, so it’s never crossed my mind.”
“I remember the first time it got played – I think I probably swore, my mouth dropped and I’m like ‘What – that’s me on TV!” – Michaela Jenke
Hailing from a musical theatre family on her mum Justine’s side, the latent musician says country music was both a discovery and a revelation.
“I didn’t pick up a guitar until I left high school,” says Michaela, a right-hander who plays left-handed.
“I used to listen to all kinds of music and kind of discovered country. The stories and the songs – it might sound a bit silly but it felt like it all fit; it just felt right.”
Reluctant to be typecast by country music stereotypes, Michaela has defined her style more by what it is not.
“It’s hard because I feel like in music you’re supposed to have a genre. I know predominantly what banner I fit under – country – but it’s diverse. Country rock, bluegrass, swamp – it meshes them all together.”
A passion for original music has required Michaela to hone her song writing skills, something she describes as a double-edged sword.
“At first I found it hard to play my own songs because it’s really personal and you feel people are going to judge you, but with time if you keep taking these steps, you keep gaining confidence,” she says.
“You discover a lot about yourself too. What I write is predominantly what I’m feeling at that time – emotion is definitely what I draw upon.
“When you write you have to feel it because if you don’t feel it neither will anyone else.”
Her lyrics have elicited interest from Australian country music royalty, not least Bill Chambers, father of multi-platinum artist Kasey Chambers.
It was a chance meeting with Chambers a few years ago that secured Michaela’s date with destiny.
“We struck up a conversation after the gig and he asked me ‘are you a singer?’, recalls Michaela.
“In his CD he wrote his name and mobile number and said ‘if you have any demos, feel free to send them to me’. I remember thinking: that doesn’t happen every day. So I mustered up the courage and sent him a rough demo.”
Michaela went on to become support act for Chambers’ South Australian gigs and the mentorship saw Chambers produce her debut EP, Diamonds Outta Dirt, on the New South Wales Central Coast in March 2017.
The album features the hit single Black River, which was co-written with Allan Caswell, one of Australia’s most recorded songwriters.
The song is defined by its haunting narrative and compellingly dark undertones.
“I had that song title running around in my head but I didn’t feel like I could do anything with it,” recalls Michaela. “I went into that (song writing) session with the title, and Allan really loved the idea of it.
From there the song took on a dark theme – an hour and a half later the song was born, and we were really happy with how it turned out.”
The video was filmed against the backdrop of Mount Crawford Forest and on location in the Barossa. The production is entirely regional, from make-up, costumes, sets and actors through to filming and post-production by Vaughan Henderson of Little Blue Box Media.
Black River has become a Facebook sensation since its debut on Foxtel’s Country Music Channel.
“I remember the first time it got played – I think I probably swore,” laughs Michaela. “My mouth dropped and I’m like ‘What – that’s me on TV!’
“It’s so surreal to look back on – once upon a time it was a dream to have my music out there.”
With Nashville USA in her sights, Michaela and her partner, guitarist Reid Sampson, continue touring regional and remote Australian communities gaining exposure and a loyal following.
“The aim at the moment is just to get out there because nothing comes to you,” says Michaela, revealing a maturity that belies her years. “If you’re sitting still, no-one knows about you or your music.
“Good songs – that’s been the advice from other people. Good songs get you places.”
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View the video clip of Michaela’s hit single here and for more information on Michaela’s upcoming gigs, checkout her website here