-By Kim Parnell-
Australian singer-songwriter Kate Ceberano has been in the spotlight for four decades. Nearing 60, Kate possesses a wealth of performance experience, having played for diverse audiences, including kings and queens, and across various platforms, from recording studios to symphony orchestras and musical theatre. She has also written soundtracks for films.
The first time I ever saw Kate Ceberano perform was in 1992 in the critically acclaimed show Jesus Christ Superstar where she played the role of Mary Magdalene. She was in good company as John Farnham played Jesus. The show also featured Angry Anderson and Jon Stevens. It was a landmark production.
That was over thirty years ago, and Kate still works and keeps in touch with some of the cast all these years later. For Kate, that was a real highlight of her career. But now forty years in, there are so many more.
Kate expresses gratitude for her long career, something she hadn’t anticipated. She avoids dwelling on any single memorable moment, always believing the best is yet to come and considers herself a bit of a rarity in the field—female, forty years in, and still thriving in the Australian music scene and representing women in her age group.
Kate’s solo career took off with her major hit “Brave,” co-written with her brother. This song, and others that followed, reflect her journey through various life stages. “Brave” was a mantra for her as a young artist hoping to sustain a career in music. At 25, she wrote songs about falling in love and marriage; by 35, her themes had shifted to parenthood and personal growth.
When it comes to songwriting, Kate believes that imposing strict rules on the process turns it into a technical exercise rather than an expression from the heart. The greatest songwriters, she notes, create from the heart, letting their emotions guide them.
The collaborators that have been with Kate throughout her career have been people she has never met. “In the early days, I was chasing a sound that had been set by legendary artists like Billie Holiday, Aretha Franklin, and Ella Fitzgerald.” Kate said, “These were significant black women who were using their beautiful art to open doorways. They were breaking down barriers and sang in a way that asked us all to be better people”.
“Being an artist is a very significant thing to do. You contribute to people’s lives; you are like the soundtrack to their dreams, hopes and sadness”.
She also draws from literature, valuing the insights and worldviews conveyed by published authors. Singing, for her, is almost just the means to the end. It is a journey towards becoming a better human being, which is a continuous process of self-improvement.
Kate is a published author of two books. One of them, Unsung, is an illustrated memoir filled with short stories, that reflect her passion for storytelling. She relishes the title of “published author,” drawing immense joy from the creative process. Her home, a century-old residence with a full library, serves as a testament to her love for literature and the insights it provides.
The musician expresses her creativity through various art forms, including painting guitars and quilting, which she sees as another medium for storytelling. Her quilts have been featured in exhibitions and competitions, showcasing her love for handcrafted art that resonates personally. Despite spending much of her life on tour, she finds balance in her creative pursuits at home.
Kate is leaving no stone unturned and says, “We have one world, one life, we’ve just got to get in amongst it and live, not sit there wasting time”.
Her daughter, Gypsy Lee, has grown up with music in her blood and has recently released her debut EP, Pretty in the Dark. Kate admires her work, finding it poignant and reflective of the unique challenges faced by today’s youth.
Kate loves live performances, feeling most alive on stage as it remains a place of vitality and connection, where she feels most at home. She is excited to return to Hervey Bay for the Sounds of Rock Concert, where the live format allows her to connect deeply with her audience.
In her message to fans, Kate says, “You are in good hands. Of all the artists that are on the stage, they all probably have thousands and thousands of gigs behind them. If you are looking for an experience and you want to go and immerse yourself in great music and be entertained by great artists, this is the concert for you”.
Kate looks forward, with gratitude and anticipation for what lies ahead. Her enduring passion for music continues to inspire and captivate audiences around the country.
The festival line-up
Leo Sayer Daryl Braithwaite
Kate Ceberano Killing Heidi
Chocolate Starfish Bachelor Girl
The Raidiators
SOUNDS OF ROCK MUSIC FESTIVAL
Saturday, November 2
1pm -10pm
Seafront Oval, Hervey Bay
Tickets from www.oztix.com.au
*Cover photo by Justine Walpole
