Toyota Star Maker Grand Finalist Kiara Rodrigues heads into the competition with a shiny new country heartbreak drinking single, released January 6.
Written with Nashville-based Aussie expat, Katrina Burgoyne at The CMAA Academy of Country Music senior course, ‘Message In A Bottle’ is a song about heartbreak, drinking and self-sabotage.
“It was a song I’d half started and kept in the cupboard but not really looked at, and when I found out who my co-writing partner would be, I knew exactly which song I wanted to work on with Katrina,” Kiara said.
“Any good country heartbreak song involves drinking, but one wine and I’m asleep, so I’ve used plenty of creative licence in this song. It’s about knowing that there’s a whole lot ahead of you in terms of the healing process, but tonight you’re relying on that bottle of wine.”
Kiara said everyone had their own coping mechanisms and felt this song would resonate with plenty of listeners. “Whether you’re a drinker or not a drinker; we’ve all had that heartbreak,” she said.
The song’s country flavour is boosted by production from Nash Chambers, another expat now living and working in Nashville. “Nash’s production style was something I really resonated well with,” Kiara said. “He’s got a keen eye and ear for what sounds good and the vocals were recorded with Liam Kennedy-Clark in Maitland. I’m incredibly honoured to be working with Nash because he’s produced some of my favourite records that I grew up listening to.
“It’s exciting to be releasing this single before Toyota Star Maker and being able to showcase the single in the competition.” This is the first time the Sydney singer-songwriter has been named among the top 10 entrants in the prestigious and long-running country music talent search.
“This is something I’ve dreamed of since I first started country music in 2005,” she said. “To have those dreams of being in the top 10 realised, on the day I found out, I was in a complete state of shock – a very excited shock.”
Whether she is successful in Star Maker or not, Kiara plans to “run with it”. “I’ve got a whole heap of other songs I’ve written would love to turn into an EP and if I won, the trip to Nashville would bring about amazing co-writing opportunities,” she said.
“I would love to have a run of shows across the east coast in all the states I’ve lived in and to have that lovely Rav 4 to do it all in would be amazing. The Toyota Star Maker prize would be a great way of facilitating all those hopes and dreams.”
Coming back to the Tamworth Country Music Festival is also a reminder of how far Kiara has come in her career. “Missing the festival really drove home how much the Tamworth Country Music Festival is part of my identity,” she said.
“I’ve been coming since I was nine years old. It feels like coming home with I’m at the Tamworth festival. It’s also a good reminder of the experiences and memories I’ve made being part of the Australian country music industry”.