Musicadium Blog

This week, Musicadium intern Tiffany caught up for a chat with Brianna Carpenter, one of Brisbane’s most exciting singer/songwriters and one of the most unique and talented people to go through Australian Idol.

1.    Back in 2007 you made it into the top 12 of Australian Idol, how did you find that whole process?
Well, you go from being a nobody…to not being able to walk down the street without people wanting your autograph or talk to you. Or just stare at you! Haha! So, that was intense. I learnt a lot and I got out of it what I wanted to. My song “Jacqueline” was played on the show numerous times and it got my name out there. I think it worked out okay for me because I wasn’t on the show for very long. I got booted off 11th but it seemed to be enough time for the public to understand that I was a songwriter and not at all into karaoke. The other contestants in my year were brilliant fun too. I really enjoyed hanging around with them and living in a multi-million dollar mansion with a chef and drivers and paparazzi! As I said…very ridiculous!

2.    This year you were announced as a finalist in the Adult Contemporary category of New Artist to Radio competition 2009 with your song “Jacqueline”. That’s a pretty big achievement, how did it feel to have your music recognized in that way?
That was a massive achievement. I’d forgotten that I’d entered it actually and had no idea what song had been picked so that was a surprise. I knew it’d take awhile to distance myself from the whole “I’ve been exploited on TV” thing, so it’s great that I’m being recognized for my songwriting potential. I was one of nine artists that got to go down to Sydney a few weeks ago and network with all the commercial radio music directors, so it’s been a great experience.

3.    Where do you draw your inspiration from?
People. Always people. I wonder about what they’re thinking. Like if I’m driving home from a night out and it’s 4am and there’s other drivers out there on the road that aren’t taxis and aren’t trucks. I drive along just wondering why they’re awake at this time. That sort of thing. People on the train. On a bus. My friends. People out jogging. I’m always wondering why they are the way they are.

4.    This is the first time you’ve recorded an album. How did you find the whole process? What can we expect from Harlequin?
Recording was great fun. I worked with producer Brendan Anthony. He’s a talented man and has been doing it for a loooong time. He’s worked with INXS, George, Wheatus, Wendy Matthews, Cold Chisel…so I was in good hands. I mixed the album in the hinterland of Byron Bay and basically chilled out for a week listening to the tunes and hanging with Jon Burnett (the lovely assistant engineer) playing ping pong. Harlequin is 10 years worth of what I think are my best and most loved songs. I had to do it. The first album was always going to be a reflection on how I started. So, it’s a bit of a mixture of styles but works well.

5.    What can we expect next from Brianna Carpenter?
I’m recording again now, working on pre-production for some new material. I’ve spent the last year just gigging. Gigging my brains out! I want to do more and more! Planning a tour with Melanie Horsnell and Kate Vigo for early next year along with a bit of a tour all to myself. Should have the new material finished by June next year. Exciting times!

Check out Brianna on , MySpace or at her website!

This entry was posted on Thursday, November 19th, 2009 at 11:52 am and is filed under Featured Artist. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.