SIX years after picking up a guitar, Bendigo singer-songwriter Sherri Parry will release her first EP.
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The 18-year-old will release her debut EP on October 27.
“My motivation was to have it done by this year’s blues and roots festival,” she said.
“It was a little rushed but we recorded it in under three weeks, which was a good effort by everyone.”
Parry said she picked up a guitar at age 12 after first learning the violin.
“My sister decided she wanted to learn violin and I didn’t want to be like her, so I picked up a guitar,” she said.
“I think my teachers definitely made want to learn guitar because of the way they taught.
“It helped discover how a guitar makes you feel and what music it can bring.”
Parry’s EP includes songs she wrote both four years and just months ago.
“There is a range of feelings and stories on there,” she said.
“I have definitely developed a lot. I’m much older, have learnt a little and as experiences change as you get older, so does your song-writing.
“In writing songs I have never really tried to emulate anyone because I was always writing for myself.
“But there are a lot of bands who I have listened to like Radiohead, Tori Kelly, Led Zepplin and Beyonce. The list is endless and I have learnt to gain influence from every kind of genre.”
But before establishing herself in Bendigo’s live music scene, Parry was playing in pubs as a teenager.
“I think I was 13 or so and parents let me go to The Bridge where I performed with a duo there,” she said.
“That helped me become accustomed to performing for crowds and it wasn’t that intimidating. It was a great stepping stone and a brilliant way to develop how I play.”
Parry will play at the Bendigo Blues and Roots Festival for the fifth year in November.
“In my opinion the blues festival is the best thing, music-wise, to happen to Bendigo,” she said.
“It brings so many different people together through music and it’s in my home town which is incredible. I’m honoured to be a part of it.
“There is a lot more range and lots of national and international acts now. Word has gotten out, which is both wonderful and annoying because it was Bendigo's secret.
“So it’s definitely grown and is brilliant for the town and local music.
“It has given everyone in this town a brilliant stage to share music.”
Sherri Parry released her debut EP at the Golden Vine on October 27.
She also plays at the Bendigo Blues and Roots Music Festival from November 3 to 6.