Post by Zoe Amber.
Earlier this week Zoe Amber spent a few hours hanging out with Justine Walsh in Sherbrooke Forest. Armed with her camera, Zoe was able to capture a beautiful series of photographs that equally tributes the beauty of the fern laden environment, and the infectious free spirit of local musician Justine Walsh.
Zoe: How does where you grew up and where you live now affect your music?
Justine: Well I grew up in the hills just east of Perth, constantly having nature around me and being able to get out into it whenever I liked was wonderful. Especially as a teenager living in a full house, it was necessary for me to get my space and time to myself. There were quite a few creative types up in the hills, so the friends I made helped inspire my art and music making.
Zoe: What kinds of ideas and things are you working on (musically speaking) at the moment?
Justine: At the moment I am exploring how to flesh out the bones of many years’ worth of songs I’ve written. It has taken me a long time to put energy into my own songs and not just let them sit in a book anymore, and I have some very talented and special friends who are helping me on that journey. I’ve also been collaborating with some producer friends, and am very excited by the outcome… 2014 is going to be a big one! I am also looking forward to the Belgrave Buskers Festival that is only a few weeks away.
Zoe: For those readers who haven’t been to the Belgrave Buskers Festival before, what is it all about?
Justine: The festival has been running since 2012. It is a melting pot of local music that happens throughout various venues in Belgrave. The best way to find out more is to come along on February 22nd from about 11am. The festival is a great celebration of live music and strengthens the network among emerging and established artists and industry professionals.
Zoe: What other budding artists do you love?
Justine: To be honest I am really bad at looking for new music, so most of the time I rely on what my friends provide me… And often it is their own music! So I guess Mulder, Owen Rabbit (who is one half of Mulder), Nia Black, Harmony Byrne, Ella Ruby… also some bands & artists I have met through tiffany bishop COLLECTIVE such as Disasterama and Connor Blake.
Zoe: What are your plans for the Belgrave Buskers Festival this year?
Justine: I am applying to perform and also to busk on the main street. I put on a poetry night at last year’s event and it went great but I think it has all happened so fast this year that there’s no time to promote or organize. Just going to take it easy and enjoy the day.
Zoe: Are you a full time musician or do you have a 9 to 5 job as well?
Justine: I am a full time artist. I play at least 1 gig every week and have various other artistic pursuits… it can be hard at times but it is a labour of love.
Zoe: What has been your best performance experience so far?
Justine: Oh, I don’t know… performing at Sooki has been quite incredible! I have played a few gigs there and they’ve all been awesome – there’s something magic about that place. Also performing at End of the Line festival last year was phenomenal. I got up on stage with Mulder during their set too which made me really happy!
Justine will be playing at Sooki Lounge on the night of the Buskers Festival Saturday 22nd February supporting Matt Dwyer’s Little Big Band. To find out more about Justine Walsh click here or listen to her music here.
hillscene blog 
Beautiful photos, and a great insight into a musicians mind.
Thanks Zoe and Justine
Reblogged this on Zoe-Amber and commented:
Here is another post I did with Amy Middleton and Justine Walsh! It was such an adventure to be apart of 🙂