Locals Lounge with Sherri Parry

Each month we spotlight a local regional Victorian musician, songwriter or band killing it in our scene.

Based in Bendigo, Sherri Parry plays pop jazz fusion music with twists – think Amy Winehouse X Hayley Williams X Radiohead. With a new album up her sleeve Parry is powering through 2026 but there is so much more to come. 

Get to know Sherri Parry!

Explore more incredible music makers from our Locals Lounge series here.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Sherri Parry (@sherriparry)

How long have you been playing music?

I’ve been making music forever but started professionally performing when I was 12. I’ve never set boundaries in the decade I’ve been writing, which makes my sound a culmination of all my influences – making me sit outside of the box. The constant reflection has always been an honest but unexpected sound. Name the vibe you need, I’ve got a song for you.

How did you discover your passion for music making and performing?

A kids toy radio with a microphone at 5 years old was first. Then on the swing set of my childhood home singing Rehab by Amy Winehouse on repeat. It was practising at lunch time during school with a growing crowd of other students, accidentally starting impromptu shows. Layering vocals in the studio and realising all the opportunities to explore sounds was next. I’m discovering new ways I’ve fallen love with my craft all the time.

What have been the biggest milestones in your music career to date?

I opened for John Butler a few years ago, which has been my answer to this since. But I’ve just successfully released 2 albums, completely independently, in less than a year. It took so much hard work and intention to make happen; something I am so proud of myself for. I got to show my people a part of my soul, and they recognised and celebrated it – twice. That’s bigger than any stage.

Take us into your catalogue!

I have 3 studio albums and 2 EP’s. Insane to be able to write that as an independent creator. My most recent record is called When It Comes to Love! It’s an ooey gooey love story packaged with 80’s flare, nostalgic glimmers with a modern sound. We tracked and released WICTL in 3 months and are currently touring around regional Victoria!

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Sherri Parry (@sherriparry)

What is the story behind When It Comes to Love? 

When It Comes to Love was inspired by the process and experience of falling into it! Each track tells a story – a love story if you will. There’s something for everyone no matter where you are in your love journey, including with yourself. 

I’m very proud of my lyrics in all my projects, but I think they stand out in WICTL in such a special and adoring way. Italian and A Movie takes you back to your first date, while Love’s a Lot Like Dreaming reminds you of how deeply you have loved, and Agreement is like the end credits. 

You can hear our 80’s inspiration throughout, like ELO rhythms, Prince crescendos and Celion Dion vocals. The album artwork is also a wink so one of our favorites. But you’ll also hear your modern favorites like synthy Sabrina Carpenter and folky Lizzie Mcalpine.

Who did you work with on your latest release? 

I wrote, recorded and produced When It Comes to Love with Bendigo guitarist, producer and engineer, Tom Hadlow, in his home studio. This is the third album we’ve worked on together; a testament of his ability to bring my visions come to life – which are rarely simple! He mixed and mastered the record and performed nearly all the instrumentation, except the drums performed by the incredible Ben Ingvarson!

Give us a gear rundown. 

I play a Maton EBG808. Her name is Nisha, adopted in 2013! She’s been on every single piece of music I’ve ever professionally released. I’ve started branching into electric with a Gretch semi hollow, who’s still nameless, and steal my guitarists Deluxe Reverb. That’s how much of a newbie I am to electric. I am slowly finding my groove, but I’m an acoustic gal at heart.

What does a typical day of creating music look like for you in the studio, in rehearsals and on the stage?

We try not to force it! If we get in the studio and it’s not happening, we leave and reenergize before we try again. Forcing the creative juices to flow generally makes for a very tart lemonade. Our rehearsals are fun! There’s no pressure, we explore, we trial and error. On the stage is even better – It’s where I’ve been the longest and you can tell. While I strongly feel that every show is different, you always get the real Sherri. It’s not an act or a mask and there is zero filter. When I get to perform with the band, they vibe hard on this. It means our audience gets an energized, authentic experience that can be hard to achieve in live music nowadays. In the studio we try to stay in the box with a minimalist approach, using simple mic setups (SM57, WA14 etc.) and making the most of what we have. We love a vintage guitar pedal too!

What is the gateway song for new fans to listen to to introduce your sound?

‘Italian and a Movie’! Oh, it’s gonna make you feel like the first time you fell in love, make you nostalgic, the uncertainty of new beginnings, the elation and the thrill… Don’t skip the outro.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Sherri Parry (@sherriparry)

What has been the biggest challenge you face as an artist and how are you pushing through that barrier (if you can!)?

Time. What a privilege that time is my biggest obstacle though!? I have a full-time job to support my music career which means that my days are very long, and my nights are spent investing time into my music goals. Especially around album cycles, there is so much admin to keep on top of, your social media presence, rehearsing, designing, advertising, marketing, collabing resting somewhere in there. It’s a full-time job of its own. Most artists making a dent in the scene have a manager, an assistant, a label backing them who does the thought work and action of all of this. But over here it’s just me and while I haven’t “broken” in yet, I think I do pretty damn well.

How would you characterise the music ecosystem in regional Victoria?

Youthful! My job means I’m around a lot of new and young musicians coming into the scene and they’re keeping it fresh out here! They’re curious and eager to learn and there are so many wonderful opportunities to support this within local government and locally born initiatives in Bendigo without the pressure of the city. It’s so exciting to watch a new band form, grow and explore all the sounds that came before them.

How has being based in regional Victoria elevated your music practice? 

I love creating in my hometown, which is Bendigo. There’s a sense of overall welcome and encouragement that you get in regional Vic that just isn’t in the city. Because of that I’ve felt free to explore and develop my sound over the past decade, without getting too stuck in making my music for the wrong reasons (trends, algorithms, labels, etc) There’s no competition, we’re just creating because we live for it. This can be a double-edged sword when the majority of the breakthrough opportunities live in Melbourne. It’s a choice to sacrifice that freedom to gain a new type of attention that could propel you into your dreams.

What does 2026 look like for you?

Releasing two records in 8 months should tell you that I don’t do things in halves. If ever I do, take me out back and shoot me. So yeah – There’s plenty of shows (a few in Melbourne at the end of winter!), another record in its early stages, and we’re on tour right now for When It Comes to Love, celebrating and adoring every crowd we encounter.

PLUS SUPPORTING MONTAIGNE FOR THE GLORIOUS HEIGHTS TOUR in Castlemaine!

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Sherri Parry (@sherriparry)

Who is your biggest music crush of 2026?

Hayley Williams. Because she has been since I was 8. She’s always gonna be. Have you heard her music? That’s why.

Keep up to date with Sherri Parry here and give When It Comes To Love a listen here.