Katy to ‘Steele’ the show at QMF

Award-winning Australian musician Katy Steele is thrilled to be joining a star-studded lineup for the 25th anniversary of the Queenscliff Music Festival (QMF) this November and is hopeful she can help make it a music extravaganza to remember.

Formerly the lead singer and guitarist for Australian alternative four-piece rock band Little Birdy from 2002-2009, Steele has since gone solo and will bring her newest captivating pop album Big Star to the shores of the Borough for the very first time.

Across two decades in the music industry, Steele is known for her profound songwriting and ethereal talent both as a member of Little Birdy and as a solo artist since the release of her first album Human in 2016.

Steele is a past winner of the Jessica Michalik Contemporary Music Award, the Australasian Performing Rights Association (APRA) Contemporary Music Prize and the West Australian Music Industry Awards Best Female Vocalist.

 

The Western Australian said she couldn’t wait to be joining the party in Queenscliff this November and showing locals what she’s been conjuring in the studio.

“I’m super excited to be coming down there!

“I’m pretty sure Little Birdy played Queenscliff back in the day, but this will be my first time playing solo in Queenscliff.

“Lately I’ve been playing all the new stuff from Big Star, a few of my older songs from my last solo album Human, as well as some Little Birdy songs just for memory’s sake.

“I can’t wait to hopefully blow people away with some of my new stuff.”

Steele is touring the new album across the country and said she had been overwhelmed by the support of her new material.

While only being out for a month, Big Star has already been named one of Double J’s best records of 2023 for its mix of synth and bassy rhythms combined with Steele’s distinctive voice.

“Many see the new album as a bit of a pop record, but I feel like it’s quite tasteful and eclectic in its sound,” Steele said. “It sets me up for what’s coming in the future and fitting into a modern world in 2023. “I want to have one foot in the past and one heading towards the future and experimenting with my music.

“It was made in the home studio, which was a massive undertaking.

It essentially took over our whole lives.

“We went mad in the process but are so happy it’s out there now.”

This year’s QMF will be held from November 23-26.