The Indigenous Artist Magazine Issue 1 - April 2017 | Page 12

After taking 6 years away from the stage, getting married and having her first baby Ezra, Sharnee Fenwick has realised she has missed her first love…Music!. Sharnee is making her comeback in 2017, with plans to record later in the year and share and create some new music.

Sharnee’s Aboriginal culture defines who she is as a person and she has shared her story of culture and music which featured on ABC TV Program, Message Stick. Sharnee is a proud Barkindji Gurnu women from out Bourke, and was raised in Awabakal country (Newcastle, NSW), which she still calls home today.

Sharnee first stepped out on the stage at the tender age of 8 years old to sing “Under the Influence of Love”, a favourite by Buck Owens. The ensuring years have seen Sharnee signing and performing on many stages and signing songs from several genres.

Some of the highlights of her career include being a Finalist for the 2006 Deadly Awards Most Promising New Talent, and Finalist for the Best New Talent at the Victorian Country Music Awards 2007. Over the years Sharnee has been proud to perform on the same stage as some of the Australian’s leading artists, such as Adam Harvey, Beccy Cole, Gina Jeffries, Felicity Urquhart, and Travis Collins.

Sharnee’s time away from music has given her time to reflect on what her focus is musically. She explains that songwriting has always been a passion and therapeutic, “it’s amazing to be able to share my own stories through music that are relatable”.

With a vibrant, fun-loving personality and her quick wit, Sharnee is very much a people person who can connect with audiences of all ages and from different walks of life. This is evident in her relaxed and confident performances which leave audiences clamouring for more.

Sharnee shares her difficulties and challenges both personally and as an artist. “So, I’ve taken 6 years off from my music! I was having an amazing time performing in Australia and over in Nashville and suddenly, I felt lost musically and personally.

It was hard for me to get ready for gigs and to sing. I wasn’t enjoying it! I decided as music is something that brings joy and love, it was time I took a step back from it. I knew that I would come back to music (I didn’t think it would be 6 years later though…)”.

7 years ago, Sharnee was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), which is when she realised this is why she found many things in her life to be a challenge. “I have since undergone treatment and feel I am in a great place, personally, mentally and professionally”, she explains.

Aboriginal Singer Songwriter and Country Musician

11