You may recall Rochelle Pitt’s face from the 2014 edition of ‘The X Factor’.
The Queensland native has just re-released her debut ‘Black To Reality’ EP and is in the process of finishing work on another EP release, due in the months ahead.
We Get To Know Rochelle in our latest feature!
01. Name : SoulMumma Rochelle (Rochelle Pitt).
02. Where are you based? I’m based in Cairns, Far North Queensland.
03. How did you get your start in music? I started singing at the tender age of eight and entered into the Cairns Eisteddfod with the help of my music teacher Joan Thomson. From there I began writing my own music and began doing more live performances. I made significant progress in the late ’90s, early ’00s after my first EP release, which helped me build a solid audience. I was also a member of an indigenous choir called Austranesia which opened a lot of doors for me musically and professionally. And in 2014, I auditioned and made the top eight on ‘X Factor Australia’.
04. Give us five words to best describe you as an artist. Strong, Woman, Indigenous, Soulful, Charismatic.
05. Tell us a little bit about your sound and how it developed. Indigigroove – my music reflects my upbringing in the indigenous Cairns community with gospel reflections due to my Pentecostal church influences so you will hear old-school soul, R&B, blues and jazz undertones in my songs.
06. Who have been your musical influences? Barbra Streisand, Aretha Franklin, Chuck Berry, Tina Turner and the Uncles and Aunties in my church days.
07. What are your favourite songs of all time? ‘Night Shift’ by The Commodores, ‘Memory’ by Barbra Streisand.
08. What was the first album you bought? I remember when I was 16 I bought Kate Ceberano’s album ‘Brave’. Love her music!
09. Give us a little fun fact about yourself that people might not know. I have a webbed toe on my right foot! It’s cute and reminds me that I’m unique.
10. What would your chosen career be if music wasn’t an option? Well I’m a registered nurse and I still work part time as a registered nurse at the Apunipima, so that’s my second career and would be even if music wasn’t an option.
11. What’s the best advice you’ve been given in your career? You need to sing with love and conviction ’cause the “Lord is watching”!
12. Tell us about your latest release. My first release (just re-released digitally) was originally released in 1999. The EP is called ‘Black To Reality’ and is an eclectic mix of statement songs about being Indigenous, a woman and letting go and being free to be who you are in this life. I have ballads and dance songs as well as a rough blues track and a jazz song. I love soul music.
13. What do your future plans involve? My future plans involve performing and promoting my music. I’m releasing my second EP this year and doing my first ever national tour which is exciting. I’m also planning on doing some festivals and community events. Apart from the music and singing, I plan to spending lots more time with family, continue my nursing work & studies and living life to the fullest.
14. Where can our audience catch you live? I’m based in Cairns and perform regularly there as well as other parts of Queensland. However in October/November I will be touring in Victoria, New South Wales, Western Australia, South Australia and Queensland to promote my upcoming EP release in October. Dates will be announced soon, so best keep an eye on my website and Facebook etc.
WEBSITE : http://www.rochellepitt.net
FACEBOOK : http://www.facebook.com/rochellepmusic
TWITTER : http://www.twitter.com/pittrochelle
INSTAGRAM : http://www.instagram.com/rochellepittmusic
SOUNDCLOUD : http://www.soundcloud.com/rochelle-pitt-watson
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