Here's my music backstory. I started my singing career as a child soloist in the Australian Children's Choir. From the age of 8, I was touring and performing at concerts and on local TV shows. Then when I went to secondary school, I studied classical singing intensively, and performed in choral groups and classical singing competitions. By the time I finished school, I had many years classical singing training under my belt, but I also had severe TMJ and needed orthodontic treatment (singing can be hard work on the jaw). So I changed direction and took time away from singing, heading to the University of Melbourne to study social anthropology, history and archaeology. 

 

After I completed my degree, I was drawn back into music. This time I switched to rock and pop, performing in local bands and theatre productions, and doing session work. I became interested in the 1990s grunge and experimental scene in Melbourne, when a boyfriend played bass in a popular Australian band. I also sang with a rock outfit 'Next Best Thing', and with friends in local funk band 'What the Funk', which was loads of fun.  I found being a highly trained singer gave me an edge in these worlds, as I could easily produce exactly the right sound needed to fit the music.

 

I then formed ambient music duo Faraway with my former partner, British musician Harry Williamson, who was the youngest son of acclaimed British novelist Henry Williamson. Harry introduced me to a whole new music world. He had been heavily involved with the 70s prog rock scene and was known for his collaborations with the band Gong, with former Genesis guitarist Anthony Phillips and for having a Genesis song named after him. 

 

Together, we moved to the UK and performed, played gigs and slotted ourselves into the ambient music scene that was evolving at that time.

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An article at the time noted: "Part of the explosion of ambient and experimental music popular at that time, Faraway's unusual sound was likened to that of Massive Attack, Dead Can Dance, Enigma and Deep Forest, and the duo were popular throughout Europe and the EU in the mid-late 90s, performing in the UK and at Glastonbury Festival. Faraway released music on the British Resurgence label and French label Prikosnovénie."

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Over these years, I also did a lot of session work, which I loved - and still love. Working with excellent producers and being able to use my voice as an instrument to produce exactly the right sound required for a TV project or recording, gives me a huge amount of joy. And I got some amazing encouragement and support from people like Peter Gabriel at Real World studios, and Tubular Bells engineer Simon Heyworth who worked with us on our track on 'Nuclear Waste'. I also featured on  film and TV soundtracks and occasional compilation tracks, such as the 'Lightwaves' and 'Effleuremont' compilations released in the EU.

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In time, though, I returned home to Melbourne, Australia, and - after releasing some pop tracks under the name of Elvan - I stepped away from the music industry, building a career in tech, working in digital content and communications and leading teams managing large-scale corporate websites. I also worked on community campaigns for local charities and managed websites and communications for some of my film and music industry connections. Later I gave birth to my son, who was born prematurely and underwent some serious surgical procedures, and this kept me out of the music scene for a while.

 

But I'm now starting to work again from my home studio in Melbourne, and I'd like to do more. I've also recently recorded some pieces for TV and demonstration vocals for a proposed Broadway musical and started doing the occasional live performances again.

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Thanks for coming to my TED talk ;)

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Liz

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