Local musician Gabbi Bolt was greeted by a stellar crowd last Saturday, October 20 at Tremain’s Mill for the launch of her debut extended play [EP] Grey Into Blue.
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More than 200 people turned out for the launch; a number highlighting the growing appeal of Bathurst’s original live music scene.
With ticket and EP sales combined, the event raised just over $4,000, a fantastic achievement for the 22-year-old musician.
“It was a really good way to launch my career in the original songwriting scene,” Ms Bolt said.
“For a first release, the response I’ve received has been overwhelmingly positive.”
Grey Into Blue explores Ms Bolt’s grandiose palette of musical influences, ranging from rhythm and blues [R&B], to jazz and funk.
Ms Bolt ensured on the night that her diverse sound was fully realised, and she was aided by a stellar backing band [who also appear on the EP] that added plenty of atmosphere to the music.
Members of the band included TJ Tanuvasa on guitar/vocals, Karl Serna on bass and Kelly Miller on drums, with guest vocals provided by Abby Smith and Sophie Jones (Smith & Jones).
“The band are all extremely talented musicians, and they all hail from Sydney” she said.
“I met Karl and TJ at AMPA [Academy of Music and Performing Arts] in 2015, and we bonded immediately.”
“Kelly came into the picture when I did a Stevie Wonder tribute show in Cowra back in February, and learnt the whole set in four hours.”
The setlist included the entirety of Grey Into Blue, featuring tracks such as ‘Holding On’ and ‘Bend Before the Break,’ as well as Ms Bolt’s defiant charity single ‘Girl’s Eyes.’
This was complemented by a selection of covers from artists such as Beyoncé and Stevie Wonder.
Story continues after the film clip for Girl’s Eyes
Ms Bolt’s set also featured a special duet with her father, Simon Bolt that saw the pair cover the James Taylor classic ‘You Need a Friend.’
Serving as support acts on the night was emerging local performer Olive Watch and popular duo Smith & Jones, both whom gave outstanding performances with their own original music.
With much of the Bathurst music scene centred heavily on folk and country music, Ms Bolt hopes the success of her EP launch encourages more of a place for jazz and R&B music in the community.
“At the risk of sounding a little self-involved, there’s not much jazz or R&B music happening in town,” she said.
“There were plenty of people there on the night who have already released original music, and they now want to collaborate with me a bit more.”
“The opportunity to sit in one room with all these people that I wanted to get to know is something i’m very thankful for.”
With the launch of her successful EP out of the way, Ms Bolt will turn her attention to the upcoming Inland Sea of Sound festival in November as part of a lineup headlined by The Cat Empire and Deborah Conway.
“I’m now looking into how much to price the EP for online, as well as sorting out merchandising in time for the festival,” she said.