#207 Jemma Beech
This inspirational story of Jemma will encourage anyone who is finding their feet in any creative industry.
Jemma Beech and Rae Leigh catch up for the first time after meeting in 2016 DAG Singer Songwriter Retreat in Tamworth Australia. Jemma talks about living on stations, nannying and balancing life and music.
“We only have one life so I’m going to do what makes me happy”
The pressure and demand of trying to keep up with others in the country music industry got to her when she was younger and she is coming back fully passionate about doing it as she wants to, how she wants and when she wants to do it.
Raised in the quiet town of Yanderra, NSW, singer-songwriter, Jemma Beech has Country in her blood. Her hard-hitting blend of modern and classic Country music spins tales of love and rural life.
When Jemma was just 3 years old she fell in love with music – despite the fact that nobody close to her could play or sing. 90’s Country queens like Trisha Yearwood, Shania Twain and The Chicks would be her inspiration. "I was three years old in the back seat of the car when Mum was flicking through radio stations driving around Queensland on a holiday,” recalls the now 30-year-old. “A Trisha Yearwood song came on and I was hooked from that moment on.”
Growing up in a small town meant a fair dinkum Country upbringing - everything from horse riding to dirt bikes. “We had a few acres of land with a front paddock where my horse was kept,” reminisces Jemma.“ The back half of our property was slowly turned into a motorbike track – mostly for my two younger brothers – I really enjoyed riding the PeeWee 80 around the track and over the jumps and side berms they made.” Although her potential motocross career was short-lived, as the track later became a learner driver’s course when she got a ’97 Toyota Corolla.
A string of odd jobs followed. Bartender, Truck Stop Worker, Nanny – you name it. Music began to take centre stage in Jemma’s life when the she attended the 2015 Senior Academy of Country Music in Tamworth. Previously studying as a beauty therapist she crowd funded the lion’s share of the costs to get her to the Country Music capital.
Jemma’s latest track, ‘You Fool’, drops on November 11th. Recorded at the renowned Music Cellar by Rod McCormack and written alongside Rod and Sally Barris.
Connect with Jemma:
Rae Leigh: Recording in progress. All right. Welcome to a songwriter Tri with Gemma Beach. How you doing?
Jemma Beech: Oh, I'm doing pretty well. How are you?
Rae Leigh: are you? I'm, I'm good. It's coming up to Christmas, so crazy. Time of year with children and everything and performing and entertainment. Um, I dunno about you, but there's always last minute gigs.
Do you ever get that?
Jemma Beech: Yes, actually I just picked up a last minute gig, two days ago, for the 3rd of December. So I'm gonna be singing, a full day at the New Castle Race course. So I haven't done that before. Yeah, it should be lots of fun.
Rae Leigh: Are you in Newcastle? Is that your local area?
Jemma Beech: It is now. Yeah. Sort of like halfway between, like I'm in the Hunter Valley, but it's Newcastle, so just in that area.
Rae Leigh: It's been a while. So we, we actually met at the din, oh, was it 2015, I wanna say,
Jemma Beech: Yeah, I reckon, yeah.
Rae Leigh: a long, long time ago. Yep. I was still incredibly shy and not performing publicly pretty much anywhere. Um, and you like just. We're like killing it. I remember after that retreat watching you on socials and you were like out releasing music and performing, and I'm like, oh my gosh, this lady is so inspiring.
So
Jemma Beech: Aw,
Rae Leigh: it's seriously like watching you do what you've been doing, encouraged me to get off my butt and, you know, do it. So I thank you. So tell me, what have you been doing like since then? How, how's it, I mean Yeah, you've been going strong,
Jemma Beech: Yeah, it's such a journey. The music industry is such a journey, but also trying to live life and. You know, to support yourself and really find your way. You know, I was in my, I think it was like 23, when we met at the dag songwriter retreat. So I was still, you know, living at home and working at a side job trying to do music and, You know, I've always been someone who likes to really be honest and real.
And, and really when I find that song and I've written that song then and I feel something deeply for it, then I'll produce it. But now I need to find, you know, a producer who I can trust and sort of, yeah, I've always just guessed. Been a little bit, um, cautious when it comes to my songs and, and you know, it's still such a scary, uh, thing as well, but, I just knew that I loved it and I wanted to get out there, and so I ended.
Um, connecting with a lady on Instagram who started up her own business. She designs Western boots and, uh, yeah, we got chatting and I really wanted to wear her boots cuz you know, with my branding, I love that Western country flare. So having an Australian designer, um, Would, would've been a great attribute to my look and my style.
So we connected, we met up, um, at this field days event down in Victoria and where I was singing and she had a popup shop and I ended up. Um, connecting with her again, I think a year later and, um, I think it was like 2017 at this time, and she'd said, oh, you know, we're doing popup shows again and in, uh, Perth and like, she's originally from the Pilborough region in Western Australia.
So
Rae Leigh: she's at. Mm-hmm.
Jemma Beech: it was just like one of those opportunities. I, I was a nanny. I've got experience as a nanny as well. So I went on board and I said, I'll be a nanny, and she flew me from Sydney to Perth. We toured around, which was only supposed to be for three weeks, and then ended up flying to the Pilborough in the little town called Paraba, which is where I ended up living for two years.
Rae Leigh: That's, wow, that's insane. , like what? Couldn't have planned that, could you?
Jemma Beech: No, exactly. And that was just one of life's mysteries where I, I said yes to that opportunity. And I remember just always being told, like just to say yes to opportunities, no matter, because it will lead you to different places and see different things, and it's all a part of growth, and that's what I really needed at the time.
So I'd take, you know, I just give a lot of thanks to her for getting me out of my comfort zone, out of, you know, being in my hometown, which I love so much. But I've been able to see Australia in a different sense. And then from that, you know, I've worked on stations like hard working, uh, DRS Bone, you know, cattle stations out in the pilborough, and then driving dump trucks and.
You know, experiencing those sort of things all the while guitar in hand writing songs,
Rae Leigh: you were one tough cookie. That's, it. Sounds like an adventure though.
Jemma Beech: It was
Rae Leigh: kids, maybe I would've been into that sort of stuff, but. I've become a big softy now as a mama
Jemma Beech: Well, that's the thing, you know, I hadn't found anyone I could really. don't know, like a partner. It was always by myself and it was such a journey I took upon myself. And I guess I get the inspiration and encouragement from my grandparents because they, you know, on both sides of my parents, they are from overseas, they're from different countries, and like my grandmother's from Ireland.
Ireland when she was 16 and went to England and met my pop, and then they come to Australia when my dad and my uncle were babies. And then on my mom's side,
Rae Leigh: babies. Yeah.
Jemma Beech: from Germany. You know, they left World War II and wanted to give us a better life. So I just think of those women, especially in my family, and think, well, they did it.
Like surely I can do it.
Rae Leigh: Mm. That's so cool. My great-grandmother was from Ireland as well. Great. Or it might be great. Great. I don't know, one of them,
Jemma Beech: Yeah.
Rae Leigh: Irish heritage. That's so cool. Um, alright, we have kind of skipped a bit because, um, I was saying hello, but my first question, and you've introduced yourself so well, but I like to get you to tell us a little bit about who you are and where you come from.
So where is hometown?
Jemma Beech: My hometown is Yera. It's only a very small town. I think there was like a thousand people or 2000 people , but it's um, very close to a bigger town called Picton, which is southwest of Sydney. Um, it's close, you know, it's only an hour and a half, two hours south of Sydney, so, um, Yeah, I grew up on a few acres, uh, out there and I've, I'm one of four kids, so mom and dad, were very busy,
Rae Leigh: mm-hmm. , where, where are you in the mix of the kids.
Jemma Beech: I'm number two.
Rae Leigh: Okay.
Jemma Beech: So I've got an older sister and two younger brothers. Uh, I'm the only musical one in the family,
Rae Leigh: Mm-hmm.
Jemma Beech: makes me the black sheep
Rae Leigh: Yep. Me too. Middle child syndrome.
Jemma Beech: I know, but, um, yeah, like they're very sporty. Everyone else is sporty. And I was always just in my bedroom playing my guitar and it, it was fine with me. I, I didn't mind because I knew that music is what I loved and that was my thing. So I kind of loved having my thing to myself.
Rae Leigh: my thing. Mm. What a
Jemma Beech: as well. Yeah.
Rae Leigh: I love that.
Jemma Beech: But yeah, so my hometown is, is down there and, uh, we've still got the property.
My brother is currently living there, still by himself. He's got two daughters now. He runs his own business. Um, so he's just, yeah, still thriving in the hometown. My mom and dad have bought a house only two hours. On the coast there. So they're down in a town called St. George's Basin, um, which is so beautiful.
It's a holiday resort in itself. I get to go down there often. We take the jet ski and the boat out and
Rae Leigh: Oh, sounds
Jemma Beech: which is lots of fun. Yeah, it's a nice holiday, then I've got my sister who lives down there now, her and her husband have a great business. Um, she's just had her fourth baby.
Rae Leigh: I
Jemma Beech: boys and a girl, and then, yeah,
Rae Leigh: yeah.
Jemma Beech: a big family
Rae Leigh: Yeah, no, I think your parents have figured it out. I think if my parents lived in a resort style area, we would probably come to visit more often, like, um, which is terrible to say, but I think , I think that is, you know, you need a holiday sometimes, and it's great to be at Aack on holidays and family at the same time.
It's like the best of both worlds. Um, but sometimes you just. A holiday where you can go and sit by a pool somewhere or some form of water and breathe away from the rat race. The world in life brings us into
Jemma Beech: Definitely. And my mom, she's created a business, um, now down there as well. So she does, um, holistic counseling and psychotherapy. And so she's got this beautiful space where she opens up to her clients where we've got a sauna, we've got a spa, there's a pool. Um, she also rents the house out to on air Airbnb now.
Um, so they,
Rae Leigh: She sounds like she sounds like the best mom on the planet. . I need, I need someone like that. I hope I'm like that for my kids. I'll just be able to come and hang out at my like mini day spa house when I'm an old person.
Jemma Beech: Its a mini dice, that's for sure.
Rae Leigh: so cool. All right, so tell me about, um, you know, you were the only musical child, the black sheep in the family. What was that conversation like? Did it make it harder for you being the only musical person in your family? And was music something that you pursued straight out of high school? You know, what was that conversation like with your family and your environment?
Being a musical person
Jemma Beech: Um, I was very much supported. We would go, you know, school holidays, we always went, um, camping with other, you know, families and my dad's mates. Two of them in particular. And, um, my mom's sister's now ex-husband, but my uncle Greg, he, they all played guitar and they sang and they played harmonica and it was all like Jimmy Barn songs and, um, Neil Diamond and just that classic rock, um, kind of music.
And I grew up like, yeah, learning Neil Young and.
Rae Leigh: music,
Jemma Beech: Um, think, you know, I think my first song I played on the guitar was Horse with no Name. It was just the two easiest chords to play, and that was like the first song they showed me. And so I was jamming with those guys and, you know, they were never, um, you know, act, they weren't like paid musicians or anything like that.
They were just guys who worked hard, had families, and played guitar for fun. That was where I learned and I fell in love with music and I was always drawn to that. I would never run off with the kids and play . I was always with the, you know, dad's mates, um, playing guitar. But so from that age, And then getting into school.
School is where they give, you know, kids the opportunity to join choir, learn guitar, and perform on stage. And it was a great environment for me even though, you know, there was, um, we had a great music, um, section, but I didn't go to any special college or I didn't go to university after school. Really was self taught.
And, um, through that, because I'm such a people person, I love connecting with different people. And, uh, I yeah.
Rae Leigh: way. You're such a bubbly, approachable person. It's, it's a breath of fresh air.
Jemma Beech: Yeah, I just, I love it so much. And, and it's, I guess because I've found it hard to connect with, like, um, you know, in school I've got a great group of friends, but, um, also. You know, friends, they don't do music. So, and I was that, yeah, popular, outgoing girl at school. Uh, but I did music and that's where a lot of my time went.
So I missed out on, you know, sleepovers with the girlfriends or birthday parties and things like that. Um, so I really tried hard to make up for it. Um, when I could. Uh, I'm still great friends with some girls back home, which is so nice. Um, but you know, that's, that's kind of like music. Um, you win some, you lose some.
Um, but at the end of the day, you know, we're all human and we've only got one life. So just, I just figured I'm gonna do what keeps me happy and music is the one. Always gonna be there. It's it, yeah. It's like it saves you, it, it, it takes you through life. And I just, yeah. I have so much to thank for music.
Rae Leigh: I love that you've sent, painted such a romantic picture as well of like camping with family, friends and sitting around the fire kind of, I can just
Jemma Beech: Yeah.
Rae Leigh: playing guitar and like this younger girl hanging out with the adults because, you know, she, that's what she's passionate about.
That's so cool. What's that been like? Releasing your original music into the world and, and. You know, presenting on, on a very professional platform and performing, um, cuz it is different, like, you know, everyone, a lot of people do like what your uncles and and your dad's mates did, where they just have it as a, as a hobby.
Um, it takes sort of a bit more self belief and courage to get out there and actually release music to radio and do the whole, you know, independent artist thing. What was that journey like for you?
Jemma Beech: It was, um, well I was 15 years old when my parents bought me my first guitar, and it was, wasn't just one of those hundred dollars guitars that they bought me. It was like a two and a half thousand dollars maiden guitar. And at the time, You know this, this is how blind I was to objects and things because that's what they seem like.
Like this brand was just, it's the best, you know, one of the best in Australia. And it's like such an expensive guitar and it means so much. And at the time, I didn't realize what I was getting myself into. It's just something. I did naturally and they obviously seen that hey, you know, Gemma's just picked up the guitar.
She's pretty much teaching herself and taken the time and, and effort into music. So, you know, they obviously gifted that because they seen something and that gave me so much encourage. Because I remember when I opened that guitar case and seen it, I had friends around at the time and one of the guys said, oh my God, that's a Macon guitar.
That's a really expensive guitar. And I looked at him and I thought, it's just a guitar
Rae Leigh: Yeah.
Jemma Beech: But it's like, no, it, and I still play that guitar today. It is my favorite. I've. Played or felt more connected to a guitar. I did buy another one because I thought, oh, I better have a backup. But,
Rae Leigh: good to have a backup. Yeah,
Jemma Beech: but I just, I don't feel the same connection to that guitar.
And I guess only musicians will probably understand that one. But, um, I then, yeah, guess I just kept playing and, and, um, once I. You know, started performing at school. I then went down and I heard about the, um, country music clubs that we had, um, in our area. And I went down there and met some other country music singers and artists like Amelia Richards.
Um, she's now married to Matthew McNeely, so they've got their duo nearly rich. And, uh, so you know, Amelia, back then she was. She's only a year younger than me and she was always so much tinier and, and seemed a lot younger at the time. But, um, we become best friends and she really opened up that country music world and her mom became best friends with my mom.
And then we did the talent quest circuit and then, you know, found out about the Tamworth Country Music Festival. So, It was, um, you know, then the Academy of Country Music, I did that when I was 17
Rae Leigh: Was that, would that have been the junior one?
Jemma Beech: Yes. Yeah, the junior course.
Rae Leigh: you ever been back to do the senior one?
Jemma Beech: Yeah. Um, when I. Was, um, I think I did the senior course in 2015. Um, so that would've been January, 2015, and that's how I found out about the Dag Sheep Station Songwriter retreat.
Rae Leigh: There you go. I didn't even know about any of that stuff. I didn't even know about country music really before that day where I met you.
I was like, felt like such a fish outta water.
Jemma Beech: Yeah. And it is, Yeah. And it's amazing how, I guess, you know, I'm still releasing music today and it's been all these years. I see other singers I've, I've grown up with and they're so much more in front of where I'm at, but it's kind of like we all have our own journeys and I've been, I've always just wanted to do. Things the way I wanted to in a, in a spirited way.
Rae Leigh: a
Jemma Beech: I wanna travel and, and feel like I can just take a break and not have the, the demands of keeping up with what's hot and what's not and all that sort of thing. It kind of, it got to me sometimes.
Rae Leigh: Okay,
Jemma Beech: Um, yeah, so I guess there's.
Rae Leigh: do you mean like the comparison of seeing what people are up to on social media and things like that? Or like, you know, like for example, hot topic, golden guitar nominees have just been announced, like things like that. Is that something that kind of, it gets to you a bit?
Jemma Beech: It, it did back then like.
Rae Leigh: Um,
Jemma Beech: Because when I did the junior academy, I, you know, had Amber Lawrence as my mentor and she was so great. Um, she gave Amelia and I a great start to us young performers. Um, and we got to, you know, open up her shows and things like that. 17, 18, uh, AME and I then jumped in the studio together and we did, um, some recording and produced a ep.
And, uh, things were so, so, um, happening a, you know, really fast. And I kind of felt like I. I just had this knowing in me where I'm like, if I go full steam ahead now, I might not get the chance to be this young again and experience things that an artist in the eye of the world can experience. So, At the time I was sort of like, I kind of wanna be my age and, and run a mark and have fun.
And if I go full steam ahead, I might not be able to do that because I'm always gonna be watched and, and talked about and I don't wanna make a bad, you know, reputation for myself. And, you know, it kind of, yeah, kind of got like that at the time, but I still stayed in contact. You know, my musician friends that I'd made and but yeah, also I've kind of been in and out of, the artistry kind of center stage spotlight. But when I, when I kind of was coming back into it,
cuz I had a bit of a bad relationship during that time too, and it really mentally got to me. You know, and that's the stuff, you know, you don't post to the world and there's reasons
Rae Leigh: song about it,
Jemma Beech: Yeah, there's exactly right and it gives you material, but at the time, you are young and you don't know what to do and you sometimes you feel unsupported or you're too scared to speak up about things. And that's kind of where I was.
Rae Leigh: That,
Jemma Beech: In my early twenties, but then I jumped back. When I done the senior academy, I had Roger Corbert, reached out to him and he helped me, uh, kind of get my confidence back. He's like, right, you've been accepted to the academy. And at the time I was like, well, I'm kind of living by myself and I I can't afford to.
And he goes, right, well, you know, there's a thing called a possible campaign online, so let's help. You to get you there because you know, and that right there to be seen as, okay, there's obviously something there and I do love music. I don't wanna give it up. But it was just tricky. So to have that support, to get back into it and that really sparked what I wanted to do. And, then it led onto getting a phone call from the sunny Cowgirls manager to go on tour with them. That again was like, wow,
Rae Leigh: Yeah.
Jemma Beech: I thought it was a prank call to start off with,
Rae Leigh: No, that's awesome.
Jemma Beech: And especially at the time, because I was, I just started going to bns Balls, which is uh, a country bachelor in spinster's ball, so it's very Where all
Rae Leigh: like a singles party.
Jemma Beech: Yeah, but it's out in the bush and there's
Rae Leigh: actually kind of sounds like fun.
Jemma Beech: It's really fun, but they're wild. It's not
Rae Leigh: bet. , I bet.
Jemma Beech: But I started going to those and started chatting to,
the organizers and saying, Hey, if I come back next year, can I please have a spot and sing? I'm actually a singer. And they're like, yeah, for sure.
You, you know, you kind of know the scene. This would be great. So I definitely. That opportunity. And obviously the sunny cowgirl, they know what it's all about. And that's where I met producer Rusty Crook, who was their guitarist. And then it just went on doing a quick trip to Nashville in
Rae Leigh: oh, as you do. As you do as just pop over the
Jemma Beech: Yep. And I was like, right, I'm gonna, I'm gonna make an album. I'm gonna do it. I'm gonna write some songs I caught up with. Long time friend Jake Sinclair and uh, Luke Austin there down in Victoria, in Melbourne. And I did a trip down there and we wrote a fair few songs. And just at the time it was like, you know, what I wanted to do and I was feeling, yeah.
And that's, that was just amazing. And then I had this opportunity to go to Western Australia. Which kind of felt like I needed another little break from. You know, the hustle and bustle of life again and going over there, it gave me that space and time and growth and I really needed that. Cuz by then I was like in my mid twenties.
And then now I'm back on the east coast, and just about to turn 30 and I've, I've got, you know, a beautiful mentor in Gina Jeffreys
Rae Leigh: amazing and
Jemma Beech: Just started, you know, recording and, and songwriting with Rod McCormack. And now this time round, like, you know, I've done all that in my twenties. I feel, I feel so settled.
I don't have that itchy feed anymore, and I know who I am and I've grown and I've, I'm just loving it.
Rae Leigh: I love that. I was like petrified of turning 30. I don't know why. I just, I don't know. I just didn't think I'd live that long. I guess it's a trauma, but I don't know. Now that I'm in my thirties, I'm like, yeah, like loving it.
Jemma Beech: Yeah.
Rae Leigh: It's a strange thing, but yeah, I think I look on my twenties now and I'm like, I was such a kid having kids.
It just, you know, so strange. I love that it's such an inspirational journey and it's so beautiful to hear someone talk about, you know, following your gut, doing what feels right for you, you know, going in and out. And actually there's nothing wrong with that. You know, it doesn't mean that you're quitting.
You just need a break. That's, and then, you know, doing what you have, feel like you have to do. When it has come to sharing your music, is there, a thing that it comes from deep within, or do you love collaborating with people? Is there something that you feel you're really good at and then you love, you know, other people stepping in and, and doing stuff on other sides of your music?
How do you get to your final product?
Jemma Beech: Yeah, I, with songwriting, I actually found it a little bit tricky. Um, you know, kind of when I started stepping into, going to the academy and, and things like that. The songwriter retreats, cuz you kind of feel like you are the one that doesn't really know much. And then you are with all these experienced songwriters and I know you're there to learn and, and you know, get the guidance off them.
But I was like, wow. There's so much more to learn. Like there's so much to songwriting and I have learned a lot, but there's still so much to learn as well, within songwriting and, and just getting it. So I do love to collaborate and be with someone who, you know, is pretty experienced in songwriting because it kind of helps me.
Put the pieces together because I definitely have the stories there. , it's just about, yeah, putting the pieces together and, and making that story, putting, putting the story together to make those pictures in your mind kind of stand out and, um, yeah, and it's just, everyone's different. Every songwriter has a different approach and I've learned that.
Not one way. It is so many different ways. And, and even if there's, yeah, a way that you thought wouldn't work. It could be the best song ever. Like this. It's just crazy. But,
Rae Leigh: I love it.
Jemma Beech: Yeah, I kind of just like to leave myself open and, I just try and stay vulnerable and, um, you know, one of my songwriting mentors at the senior academy was Carl Brody.
And he's since passed, so, yeah. And I remember having a one on one session with him and he. You just need to start digging deeper and, you know, in his Scottish accent,
Rae Leigh: yeah.
Jemma Beech: And, that was just something that I, I lived by and I'd written a song that week and he looked at me when I performed it at the, the concert and he's like, you got there.
And that was, I don't know, just that affirmation or the affirm, what's the word? Like confirmed?
Rae Leigh: confirmation.
Jemma Beech: Yeah. That okay. I, I'm, I'm doing better. I'm doing good. I'm like on the right path. I'm really listening and I'm digging deeper and I'm trying to be vulnerable and, you know, it comes with being brave
Rae Leigh: speak.
Jemma Beech: you write
Rae Leigh: incredibly brave. To be vulnerable. Sometimes we think we are, and then we realize, we get older and we're like, oh, we could have been, you know, it goes deeper and then we go deeper and then we go, oh, keep stir deeper. keeps
Jemma Beech: Yeah.
Rae Leigh: It's never ending. Well, if you could, I guess in hindsight, go back and travel in time and give yourself a piece of advice, maybe to when you were younger and just starting out, what do you think you'd say to yourself?
Jemma Beech: That is a big question. I guess I would definitely, ah, wow, you got me on this one,
Rae Leigh: or like just a general advice to someone starting out in the industry. What, what do you feel like is really valuable advice that, someone who's just starting out, you know, would benefit from understanding or hearing? It's a hard one because so much you learn on the go. Right. But
Jemma Beech: Yeah,
Rae Leigh: me about this, I would've, you know,
Jemma Beech: I guess for me, I've always sort of wanted to have, you know, like a partner in crime or like someone who can be there for me. I know it might sound a little bit kind of selfish, but, or I don't know, needy, but just to have that one person who you can. Um, kind of bounce off and feel like you, you got that, support around you.
Like I've had my parents and my family, but they're not songwriters. They don't really understand. So I wish I'd found someone who kind of supported me in that sense. But in saying it, I just gave it a go anyway. Like I just kept at it. So.
Rae Leigh: yeah,
Jemma Beech: I don't know, I guess I, I thought I, I kept with it. I stayed with it, so, you know, I can't really tell myself to stay with it cuz I, I guess I did. But
Rae Leigh: You did. It's maybe like having support and finding mentors and people in the industry who can support you. It sounds like you had like Carl and Amber Lawrence and
Jemma Beech: yeah,
Rae Leigh: supports were invaluable.
Jemma Beech: It definitely, and that's where I drew so much. Encouragement from and inspiration because, you know, everyone came from somewhere and has their own journey. And, you know, those guys, they gave up their time to, to help me out. They've helped so many other people out and. It's just, I think now actually that's something that I look forward to someday is being a mentor for young singers and songwriters. You know, that inspires me to give back as well of what I've learned. And, but obviously I still need to hone in on that and really make sure that, you know, I'm gonna do a good job
Rae Leigh: come around eventually. It always does. That's life. If you could collaborate with anyone in the world, dead or alive, who would it be and why?
Jemma Beech: Definitely would have to collaborate with Laney Wilson. She is an American singer songwriter, and she has just been so inspirational, I guess because. You know, she started out in a small country town and, and left and went to Nashville and, you know, done the hard yards as well. So, and I just think she's so different to the, the rest of the, the flock out there and her songs are so quirky and out there and she's not afraid to say it how it is or.
Yeah. And prior to Laney Wilson was Miranda Lambert. She's very much the same, you know, those powerhouse female country artists, um, they're just very, yeah. I don't know if the words like, yeah, they're just ballsy. They just say it how it is.
Rae Leigh: Uh, I, yeah, I love it when I meet women like that and it goes, yeah, maybe I should speak up a bit more. I feel like sometimes as a woman, I feel like, I don't know, I have to be a people pleaser or something like, that sounds silly when you say that loud, but it's just like, that's actually just what happens for me anyway.
Jemma Beech: know. Yeah. It's society, isn't it? And then we think, wait, how can we say something in a song without, you know, saying it directly and offending people and upsetting people. So that's where I really direct a lot of angst or, you know, problematic things in life. I, I definitely have been putting them into songs and it's kind of fun.
Rae Leigh: Taylor Swift, I think put it really well. It's like if I was a man, I'd be like the boss and in charge and taking leadership, but because I'm a woman, it's like she's bossy in a diva and like, you know, the difference of sex is that's an whole nother podcast. We won't go into that. Um, I've got a a minute and a half left of our recording, is there anything else you'd like to share?
Where can people find you? I'm gonna put all of your links in the, in the blog. Tell us what you're doing. You've got Newcastle coming up. What else is going on? You. Tamworth.
Jemma Beech: Yeah, so. I've been, um, yeah, really promoting my latest single, that I just released with, uh, rod McCormack as my producer, co-writer. So that's been so amazing and so fun. And, you know, we've been, we've got about three or four songs to back it up as well, so. So, 2023, I'll be releasing some more singles. Um, just really getting back out there, gigging again in the new Newcastle Hunter Valley region.
Um, I really, I'm gone up to Tamworth Country Music Festival, so. Yeah, just gonna be, you know, yeah. I'll see you there. We'll be, um, not doing too many gigs. I'm doing a few things. Um, I will be releasing them very soon. I'll put them up on my Facebook page and Instagram. I'm gonna try and give TikTok a red hot go, cuz that's seems to be the best marketing
Rae Leigh: It's a thing. It's a thing. It's cool. Um, I think we're about to run of time, but is there anything else you would like to say before we finish up?
Jemma Beech: Uh, just a big shout out to, um, all my supporters and listeners and just without you guys, you know, I wouldn't be here and I'm just so grateful. Yeah. So I'm gonna continue songwriting and recording. We've got, um, a few new songs that we have written ready to. For the new year. So it's gonna be a big year.
I'm getting back out there doing lots of live music around the Hunter Valley and Newcastle area. Um, it's such a great region for live music. Uh, I'm gonna be heading up to the Tamworth Country Music Festival and it's just, it's. Yeah, it's gonna be a big year. Next year I'm going part-time in the mines, so a little less truck driving, a lot more music, which is really exciting.
But I'm just so grateful, um, to everyone who's just supported me throughout my journey and, and I feel so welcomed here in the Hana Valley. Uh, and yeah, I just cannot wait. So thank you. Every.
Rae Leigh: That is awesome. And I'm, I'm so, I love watching your journey and every time I see something pop up where you're out playing, I was like, yes. That's awesome. Um, so I hope I get to see you play live again soon. Cause I don't think I've seen you sing since. The . It's been, it's been a long time. So hopefully I'll, I'll be able to catch up with you and Tamworth and maybe when I get down to Newcastle, who knows?
Maybe we can do a show together or something. But, I love what you're doing, and yes, please do keep doing it. And if you need a break, that's obviously fine, but let ever quit. Okay.
Jemma Beech: I'll never quit.
Rae Leigh: Good
Jemma Beech: definitely will never quit
Rae Leigh: All right. Well, um, thank you so much for coming on and, and sharing so much of your heart and your story with us all. Before I, is there anything that we've, I haven't asked or missed that you'd like to share?
Jemma Beech: No, I think we've pretty much, yeah, said everything. I really dug deep and was vulnerable and brave, so, um, cause sometimes it's hard to, you know, really tell a story. When you've only got so much time. But I really, you know, I'm proud of where I've come from and where I am now. I'm in such a good place.
I've found stability and, I love making, you know, the Hunter Valley, my home. And I just, I'm really looking forward to stepping into this new music and, and really going full steam ahead.
Rae Leigh: I love that. I love hearing it. I love that you are finding your feet in a home and you know that you've got your therapist mother having a little days bar permanent retreat for you whenever you need it. We all need a mum like that. Um, . But yeah, no, I, I, I'm so inspired by everything you do and, Look forward to sharing this with everyone else.
And for everyone else, please go and check out her music. She's incredible. And if you get the chance to see her live, don't miss out because you regret it. All right. Thank you so much, Gemer, and I'll talk to you soon.
Jemma Beech: Thank you so much for having me.
