Anne Robertson burst onto the music scene in 2005 when she made the finals of Australian Idol. These days she’s strutting her stuff as one quarter of new girl group Sultry Sally. I caught up with Anne today to chat about her latest musical endeavour, her big family, and what she really thinks of the Young Divas!
All the members of Sultry Sally are such talented singers and musicians in their own right. How did you girls come together?
We came together through an open audition process. Hundreds of girls applied but it ended up being myself, Nat, Nicky, and Sera.
Why did you decide to audition for a part in the group?
I have been singing non-stop since I left Idol. I’d been doing some gigs, and working part-time, and working with other bands and things like that. I just wanted another experience, working with another group of talented singers, especially a girl group. The one goal is my singing, and that’s my main passion, so I just wanted to do something different and work with other talented people.
What’s the best thing about being part of a girl group?
I think the best part is that we can all come together and use our creativity and also our writing skills and just make new music. I know we have covers – most of our songs are covers – but rewriting them and just really creating them in our own way, and in our own vibe, that’s the greatest thing I think. And plus we’re girls, so we like to hang out and shop!
You’ve just released a cover of the Crystal Waters song “Gypsy Woman.” Were you a fan of the original?
Yeah I was, I was a fan of the original. And that was the great thing about it. We chose four great dance songs that everyone would know [for the single], and we just changed them up and put our little bit into it and it turned out great.
I hear you sang at Warringah Mall last week. What was that like?
Oh it was good! It was just a lot of people passing by, but they were stopping by watching us and it was great. It was hot! The stage was outside, but it was good.
Are the girls planning to get out and do some full-length shows soon?
Oh, we would love to! Right now we’re doing a Westfields [shopping centre] tour, and you can catch up on what we’re doing on our website sultrysallymusic.com, but we would love to do shows. Our launch was great and we would love to do more stuff like that and just perform and get out there. That’s what we want to do.
You come from a big family of seven kids. What was it like growing up with all those brothers and sisters?
Oh crazy crazy crazy! But I have so many brothers and sisters so I have so many friends. Like they are my friends, they are my best friends. We’re so close, each and every one of us, and we do everything together. Wherever one person goes, we all go. So that’s what I love about a big family, and it helps as well because we all used to sing as a family. And it helps being in a group because we all did harmonies and things like that, and that’s the same thing I used to do with my family and brothers and sisters.
How important has your family been to your success?
Oh so important. They’ve been so supportive. I don’t think I’d be anywhere without my family and them helping me, pushing me along, and giving me the freedom to live my dreams and go for my goals, and supporting me and praying for me, which has been the best thing I need and the only thing I need.
Most Aussies probably remember you from the third season of Australian Idol. How did that experience prepare you for a career in music?
It prepared me so much, because I’d really only been singing in church since I was three. I didn’t really do anything else outside of church. So being on Idol was such a great experience, and it was really good because I got to sing in front of a live crowd and on TV. It prepared me because I was such a shy person. My personality wasn’t out there. It was only when I was with my family that I was myself and loud and funny. It did prepare me and I’m so happy and grateful that I got that opportunity. And then when I left Idol, I just had to keep living that dream and keep aiming higher and higher and making sure that the level of perfection I got from Idol was still up there. So I just kept doing gigs, even though I was working part-time I was still travelling and working around Sydney, so it was really good. It did prepare me so much emotionally and knowing that they don’t just place it at your feet. You’ve got to work hard and just keep going and striving for your goals.
A lot of people in the music industry and the media tend to criticise Idol. Why, as someone who’s been a part of it, do you think it’s still going strong after so many years?
I think the main reason why is that it gives young Australians an opportunity to actually showcase their talents, showcase what they have to offer. Everyone has their own opinion, but for me personally being on the show, it’s a great opportunity for young Australians, especially those that don’t have the opportunity to get signed. I think it’s a great thing for everyone because they get that experience, they get that exposure, and know what’s out there and know how to get in front of a group. I think it’s a great thing.
Now I have to ask, if Sultry Sally took on the Young Divas in a fight, who would win?
Oh my gosh, I would not know what to say to that! I love the Young Divas. I love all the girls that are there and I just think they are so talented. I mean, girl power! The more of us the better, you know? We could take over the world! I just think the more talented people in the Australian music industry the better. Bring it on!
Image used with permission from Mark Communications
It’s been a while since Western Australian swing king Earl Cole performed a dinner show, but the wait is almost over for fans. Earl will perform at Rat Pack Tribute at Cicconi’s on Cambridge (353 Cambridge Street, Wembley) on Sunday 8 March.
