There’s no question Katie Noonan has become an Australian music icon.
With hit singles, sold out shows, and many TV appearances, she continues to all keep us excited for what comes next.
Alongside Aussie guitarist Karin Schaupp, Noonan has dropped a new record, Songs of the Southern Skies Vol 2, a celebration of phenomenal antipodean women. Schaupp and Noonan’s relationship is now celebrating 10 years, a meeting that came thanks to the muso’s parents.
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“We actually met when we were kids and neither of us remember,” Noonan notes with a laugh.
“Our mothers taught at a school in Brisbane, but we never really crossed paths. But we met again in the Huntington Festival in Mudgee in November ‘04, partnered by the wonderful Richard Tognetti.
“We were put together and went ‘this is great, let’s make a record’. Now we’ve made four.”
Songs of The Southern Skies celebrates the music of iconic women from the Australian region, such as Aunty Ruby Hunter, Missy Higgins, and Olivia Newton John, to name a few. Each of these artists were chosen because they mean something to Schaupp and Noonan.
“I wanted to pay tribute to two women who I really loved, who we have lost, the beautiful Olivia Newton John, who I met a few times, and she was the sweetest lady ever, and the beautiful and very close to my heart, Aunty Ruby Hunter, who was on the first tour I did as a mum.
“And Auntie Ruby, being Aunty Ruby, you know, helped nurse my son and hold him, she was his sort of Auntie/Granny for the tour. So, we’re doing her song ‘Down City Streets’.”
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The pair are about to hit the road for their first run of the country, before another early next year, Noonan noting it’ll be an experience, with specialised merch on site.
“We’re really excited about sharing it with our audience. We’ve also commissioned an incredible First Nations jewellery maker to make bespoke earrings based on and inspired by Aunty Ruby Hunter’s animal totem, so that’ll be very special.”
“They’ll only be available at our concerts. It’s by Bronwyn David, who’s a beautiful art maker, so that’s going to be quite fun. And we’ll be modelling the earrings each night.”
On top of that, select audiences will be treated with a choir, bringing an extra element to Schaupp and Noonan’s work, and making it all that little bit exciting. “I’ve managed to arrange a local choir to join us, because I’m a big fan of community singing, and I hope it will bring a greater sense of connection as well.”
These songs, authored by others and covered by Schaupp and Noonan, are brought to the stage through an already established connection to the music.
“I only pick songs that I connect with emotionally, and that’s the ultimate point of music. I just like celebrating these women who are continuing to evolve into their power and strength as songwriters and as singers.
“The majority of the women are working mums and have been in the music industry, which is no small feat.”
The tour also sees the pair veer off the standard capital city path, to play music in corners of the country that often go without.
“If I could pick a regional show over a metro show, I’m always going to say regional. I mean, it’s just, it’s a special vibe. Thankfully, it seems that the government is trying to finally address the huge elephant in the room that regional Australia has been neglected from a cultural point of view for decades.
“Obviously, the last four years have been terrible in so many ways, but we’re slowly getting back on our feet. But if I did just have one message to say to Australian friends, it’s never been more important to support independent Australian artists, whether that be musicians, poets, writers, playmakers, artists like Bronwyn, making our earrings.
“Australian made, Australian owned, is so important, and we’ve just had such a tough few years, particularly musicians who rely on borders opening and gatherings of people and etc, but combined with that, is this catastrophic cost of living crisis.
“So, I really, really deeply appreciate anyone that spends their very, very precious dollars that are spreading further than ever, on investing into Australian independent artists. It’s a real, sort of an act of bravery. So hopefully we’ll see you on the road!”
Katie Noonan and Karin Schaupp play selected dates around Melbourne and regional Victoria. Sounds of the Southern Skies Vol 2 is out now. Katie Noonan will be heading to Queenscliff Town Hall on Thursday 3 April. Pick up tickets here.
