Bertie Blackman
www.bertieblackman.com
www.myspace.com/bertieblackman
Bertie Blackman’s unique pop sound, combines jazz, country and soul, and draws inspiration from musicians such as Erykah Badu, Jill Scott, Joni Mitchell, Radiohead and Bjork. Bertie’s rich vocal range, set against the relaxed and spacious arrangements, creates a sound that she likes to describe as “acoustic urban soul”. Her songs are at once sensitive and heartfelt, raw and gritty.
Bertie Blackman grew up in Paddington, in Sydney’s inner east. With both parents well known painters, Bertie grew up in the midst of constant colour, imagination and eccentricity. Drawing energy from the visual creativity around her, Bertie soon discovered artistic expression of a different kind. She began playing African Percussion when she was twelve and found her true expression in guitar at fifteen.
Since she began performing at the age of eighteen Bertie has become one of the most prolific performers around Sydney’s inner city venues, where she has developed a dedicated following. She has captivated audiences at the Excelsior of Glebe/Surry Hills, the Hopetoun, the Fringe Bar, Bar Broadway, the Lansdowne, the Basement, the Cat and Fiddle, and has participated in festivals such as Field Day and Gatecrasher. Recently she toured parts of Northern NSW and Queensland. In addition to the solo performances, Bertie also performs with her own band and is a regular guest in other musicians’ sets and jam sessions.
Taking inspiration from an array of musicians such as Bjork, Erykah Badu, Susanne Vega, Joni Mitchell and Radiohead, Bertie’s songs are at once heartfelt and uniquely her own, leaving her audiences mesmerised.
It is the depth of her writing that sets her apart. At just twenty one, Bertie expresses a maturity and understanding of musical arrangements well beyond her years. With experience in composition for film and television under her belt, her talent has also been appreciated by artists such as Ben Lee, who has recently co-written with her.
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