ABC NEWCASTLE MUSIC AWARDS WINNER FOLK 2002,
MULTI-AWARD FINALIST INCLUDING BEST FEMALE VOCAL 2003
Anousha Victoire is the kind of performer who causes audience members at a Brisbane gig to jump on the phone to friends in Cairns, leaving multiple messages to tell them to get to her gig in their town. She is the performer that kept people sitting cramped together on the floor in a café in Newcastle, the furniture removed to make room, the crowd held silent and spellbound until the end of her set. Once they discover her, her fans prove tenacious, if not downright possessive. Her debut EP launch in Newcastle was held in a packed Salarium Couch Bar, creating a vibe that kept critics and fans talking for weeks, with the songs continuing to gain airplay on ABC and indie radio around Australia. On her return tour to Cairns, the outspoken singer-songwriter found herself surrounded as she came off stage, by audience members clamouring to buy her EP. Her debut EP release, ‘Off My Skin’, features five favourites from her live set enhanced with deceptively simple instrumentation. The release has been met with glowing responses, attracting ongoing attention nationwide, with the opening track nominated for the ABC Music Awards Best Female Vocals. An early live demo recording earned her song ‘Fuzzy’s Song’ the ABC Newcastle Music Awards Folk Award from a strong field of finalists. The song impressed judges from top Australian agencies, publishers and the ABC network, was included on an ABC compilation receiving airplay nationally, and led to ‘A Night at the Wireless’ live ABC performance broadcast across NSW. Since then, an impressive list of live credits and the release of her debut EP have cemented Victoire’s ability both as a songwriter and a performer. Her live set combines her trademark folk/jazz influenced fingerpicking guitar style, striking lyrics, and catchy, haunting vocal melodies. Peppering her show with anecdote and social commentary, her vibrant on-stage presence makes for an arresting performance, whether performing for an intimate gathering or a 900 strong concert hall crowd. Remaining independent, she has performed in east coast cities from Hobart to Cairns, including programmed spots at the National Folk Festival, Wollombi Festival, Hunter Valley Music Festival, Envirofest, This Is Not Art, and HOWLfest Women’s Music Festival. Performing on several ABC and community radio stations, and at many anti-war and women’s events, she has shared the bill with the likes of Ember Swift, Penelope Swales, Sophie Raymond, Bruce Mathiske, Kate Fagan, Gorgeous, and the hauntingly beautiful mousemoon. |