Jade MacRae

I guess it was instinctive for me to want to pursue a life in music.



When I was 3 years old I followed my dad out onto the stage at The Royal Albert Hall in London and tried to sit up on the piano stool with him, completely unaware of the audience. I think I just liked the sound! My parents read the signs and took me to a wonderful magical piano teacher around that time and so began my love affair with music.



At 8 I begged mum and dad for a violin and they bravely indulged me. They had secret dreams of me becoming a "real, legitimate and employed" musician, however it wasn't to be, although I still play the violin from time to time these days. With mum being such an amazing singer there was a lot of expectation. I suppose that’s why it wasn't until I was 18 and had defiantly moved out of home that I was ready, and started to write songs trying to nudge my way into the Sydney live music scene.



I was given a lot of early breaks with some incredible musicians and learned a lot singing mostly Soul and Jazz. Before long I fell in with a great creative crowd and was asked to guest vocal on records for Pnau, The Sleepy Jackson, Disco Montego and others. These were good times and prepared me for making my own records, of which there have been two so far. In saying that, not much could prepare me for the roller coaster of being a recording artist and I would learn the hard way about dealing with the industry, sticking to your creative guns (or not) and being moulded into something you feel just isn't really you. It all happened so fast and looking back on it now I have some great memories and have learned so much about myself.



In the last year I was lucky enough to feature on a track on the Space Invadas album and tour the country with my husband to be (whom I admire greatly), Phrase. That leads me to now. I’ve nearly finished writing my third record and it feels great to have landed on my feet, even if there is a bit of dirt on my shoes. The new sound will be surprising to most. It’s raw, honest and is the closest thing to the real me anyone has heard before. I've written nearly everything on my own and I’m experimenting with themes of love, regret, melancholy and inspiration. Can’t wait to get it done and get out there in the world and play these songs live. its all come together, finally.