Fiona’s latest passion project

FIONA Unger has headlined stunning productions centred on the careers of music icons and this year is no different with her Adelaide Fringe Show – She Does Prince.

Crafting a show around the iconic singer and songwriter is yet another passion project for Fiona as she channels her inner teenager.

“I loved Prince as a teenager, I saved up and bought his albums, spent a lot of time playing his vinyl albums and singing those songs into my hairbrush in my bedroom,” Fiona said. “He was probably the foundation to my musical taste.

“He was so different, my parents hated him and his music, and although I didn’t know it at the time he was prepping my musical taste to explore different styles and types of music I listen to and appreciate now.”

Performing with her usual ensemble Fi & Frenz, the show debuted on Wednesday night at The Jade with a follow up performance set for March 2.

“I have chosen not only songs that were hits for Prince, but some of the music and hits he shared with other musicians,” Fiona said. “Prince was a huge influence and supporter to his musician friends and was happy to share his compositions, and then they would put their twist on his songs.”

When You Were Mine, a collaboration with Cyndi Lauper, a prime example of that aspect of his career.

“The idea for the show started on the drive back to Mount Gambier after Adelaide Fringe last year,” Fiona said. “I had Prince playing loud all the way home, and I thought honestly, I love his music so much, why shouldn’t I share that with more people and so the seed was sown.

“The hardest part was deciding which songs to use because of the prolific amount of music he wrote and produced.”

As with most of Fi & Frenz shows’ Marie Holmes has been a key ‘payer in putting She Does Prine together.

“My best friend and pianist Marie Holmes is a great support and she has helped with arranging most of the charts, and with her experience in the music industry she is a great help around production and putting the show together- I have a vision and she helps it become reality,” Fiona said.

Fiona is also joined by James Owen on drums, Callum Unger on bass, and also assisting with the chart arranging, and Scott Maxwell on guitar.

Having the opportunity to take their musical stylings to a wider audience is always a challenge on which Fi & Frenz thrives.

“Fringe Adelaide gives me the opportunity to reach a larger audience, and explore my musical dreams,” Fiona said. “I suppose there are no assumptions on who I am in Adelaide, apart from being a musician! This may sound a little strange, but I can be a musician and performer in Adelaide, whereas in Mount Gambier I’m feel like I’m seen as a wife, nurse and mum and I do bit of singing on the side. Don’t get me wrong I love being wife, nurse and mum, but it’s amazing to be seen as a singer and performer first for a change.”

Fi & Frenz are looking to secure some performance dates in Mount Gambier later this year, post Generations in Jazz.