Image Credit: Lucinda Goodwin

Diving into Riverboats Music Festival with Daisy Kilbourne

The Geelong-based songstress is heading down the highway next weekend to join the Riverboats Music Festival fun.

Riverboats Music Festival is drifting into view, returning to the Echuca Moama region next weekend for a takeover of the Murray from 13 – 15 February. The celebrated regional music festival brings together a bunch of Australia’s finest musical acts to move bodies and give the lungs a singing workout across three days with pump up sets from The Living End, Baker Boy, Xavier Rudd, Cash Savage and the Last Drinks, and Emma Donovan in the star factor seats. In addition, the weekend welcomes Andrew Gurruwiwi Band, Bleak Squad, The Counterfeit ft. Freya Josephine Hollick, Felicity Urquhart & Josh Cunningham, Full Flower Moon Band, Merpire, Norwood, Paul Dempsey: Shotgun Karaoke, Queenie, and The Wildlings. Returning to MC duties, RocKWiz legend Brian Nankervis will drive you through the days.

Another special artist heading out to the festival is Geelong local who you may know from slinging coffees and sandwiches at Rebeccis, or from her ethereal and angelic chops as the frontwoman of namesake act Daisy Kilbourne and The Chain. Just last weekend the stunning songwriter serenaded crowds at Geelong’s Festival of Sails to rave reviews. From waterfront to riverbank, the songwriter is not only armed with a winning stage presence but with some new material.

Ahead of the festival, Kilbourne took 5 with Forte to discuss all things Riverboats Music Festival and new music.

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A Chat with Daisy Kilbourne

You’ll be joining the Riverboats Music Festival celebrations in February, heading up to Echuca Moama to play on the banks of the Murray. What does it mean to you to be part of such a unique festival experience?

I feel very lucky to be a part of such an incredible festival and lineup. This will be my first time playing at Riverboats, and it means so much to be included in such an iconic event. I’ve heard the best things about people’s experiences at Riverboats and the festival as a whole, and I can’t wait to see for myself just how special it really is.

I haven’t been to the festival before, though I’ve wanted to go for many years although the timing was just never quite right. It feels extra special and exciting that my first time attending will be as part of the lineup. I have however been to the region before as a child and have the fondest memories, so returning to play there feels like a beautiful little full circle moment.

You’re a regional based artist – originally from Daylesford and making a home in Geelong. What do regional festivals mean to you as a regional artist?

Regional festivals mean so much to us regional artists. They offer opportunities we might not always have access to at major city festivals. I also think regional festivals have some of the best vibes, they’re easy going and first and foremost about the music which is what we’re all here for at the end of the day.

The festival is timed perfectly for new Daisy Kilbourne music. Tell me about this new era of music – what sound and story are you leaning towards?

My music has always been grounded in lyrics, songwriting, and my acoustic guitar, that was all I had when I started. I taught myself guitar when I was younger and never really learned any other instruments properly. But over the last year I’ve put a band together with some incredible musicians who’ve added layers to the music that I never could have imagined.

It’s no secret I’m a sucker for the 70s and the icons that came out of that era, and with the band we’ve really been leaning into a Laurel Canyon inspired sound. The songs have always been personal and honest, about loss, love, and heartache and I feel like having the band behind them really helps bring those stories to life.

‘Whiskey Driven’ has wrapped the single release cycle for album All The Hurt, released just last week! Congratulations!! What is the story behind ‘Whiskey Driven’?

Thank you! Whiskey Driven is about relational conflict and that feeling of never being quite good enough for the person you’re with. You try and try, but no matter how perfect you are, it’s never really perfect. I guess it’s about that moment of realisation, the “what more can I do?” or “how can I fix this?” when really the problem is much bigger than you.

What is next on the release agenda for All The Hurt? When is that due for release?

‘Whiskey Driven’ was the final single ahead of the album, and All The Hurt is set for release on March 20, which feels crazy to say out loud. So the next thing you’ll hear from me is the full album, and I couldn’t be more excited to finally share it.

Working on a debut album is HUGE! What do you want this album to showcase and represent for Daisy Kilbourne and The Chain?

This album covers a lot of ground. I’ve been writing songs for a long time, so narrowing everything down to the ten tracks that made the record was nearly impossible. It really represents everything I’ve learned as a musician so far.

Some of the songs were written just a month before recording, while others were written years ago, long before an album was even on the cards. It’s a journey, and at its core the songs revolve around love, loss, heartbreak and all the hurt you experience in the formative years of life.

Last year was a year for single releases with ‘Come Around’, ‘Alice’, and ‘Northern Wind’ all entering the world. How have those songs shaped you and prepared you for this album release?

I hold those songs very close. I’d carried them with me for a long time, and sharing them felt surreal. Before those singles, I’d only released one song ‘Mother’ so they really were my first step into releasing music properly.

I guess you can try to prepare yourself as much as possible, but at the end of the day I just hope the music resonates with the people who need it most.

Finally, you’ve been touring a bunch, supporting big name artists, and really stepping into the next level of your career. How do you feel about your artistry so far, and where do you want this to lead?

I’ve been so fortunate to share the stage with some incredibly talented artists over the past few years, and honestly, I’m still surprised every time I get asked to support someone, I always think there must have been a mistake! They want little old me?

But those experiences have helped me grow so much, both as a performer and as a songwriter. Moving forward, I just want to keep playing shows, keep learning, and keep saying yes to new opportunities. I’d love to tour more and start exploring what overseas touring might look like, dipping my toe into the UK and maybe even the US, and seeing where the music can take me.

You won’t want to miss Daisy take to the majestic Riverboats stage. Head here to collect your last minute ticket.