By Marina Gomide
With a beautifully soft-spoken English accent, singer-songwriter Emily Maguire has called a shack on an Obi Obi goat farm home for nearly 30 years. After touring overseas for 12 years, she returned to the Sunshine Coast just before COVID-19 pandemic hit and is now releasing her first new album since 2017.
Before its release in February 2023, she has decided to go on an Aussie tour to promote it, with the Sunshine Coast hinterland area being the kick-off point, before heading down to New South Wales.
Emily says that COVID-19 inspired her to dive down a creative rabbit hole, writing over 30 new songs within a few months. Living with depression and bi-polar disorder most of her life, she says that the lockdown triggered a manic episode, resulting in her new album production.
Very different from her previous album ‘A Bit of Blue’, she said this new album is “more sunny and joyful”. It talks about the deep themes of these past years, wrapping them in warm and comforting music. She says her goal is to “uplift, comfort and inspire the people listening”.
Although there is one specific track on this new album that refers to the lockdown (‘The Only Thing’), most of the songs refer to the feelings she had during this period. With her family in the UK suffering much worse with Covid and her sister working in a COVID-19 hospital ward, these feelings include worry, guilt and gratefulness.
The Hinterland holds a special spot in Emily’s heart, as this is where she first embarked on her musical career. Initially coming to Australia to visit a friend, bassist and producer Christian Dunham, her original three-week trip turned into a four-year stay.
Staying in an isolated shack on the other side of the globe was what Emily needed to heal from a breakup and a psychotic breakdown. She said the warmth, freedom and connection to nature that Queensland offered, flourished her creativity and motivated her to pursue her musical career, with the help of her friend turned husband.
Maleny, in particular, she said is one of her favourite towns due to the many cafés, op-shops and bookstores. It is also the first town she ever visited in Australia and where her and her husband played their first ever gig in 2003.
With no intention to trade in the peace of her Aussie life for the busyness of London again, she is excited to begin touring the hinterland area and connecting with her fans. Most of her shows will be embracing the intimate, calming and relaxing atmosphere she loves, as they take place in local community halls.
She will be performing at The Majestic Theatre in Pomona on Saturday, October 15 at 7:00pm; at Eudlo Hall on Saturday, October 22 at 7:30pm; and at Maleny Community Centre on Saturday, October 29 at 7:30pm.
Tickets are $30 and $25 concession with bookings via trybooking.
More details at www.emilymaguire.com/hinterland-tour-2022
