For this week’s podcast, we have two fascinating and very different artists from the world of country music.
First up, from Alberta, Mike chats with D’orjay The Singing Shaman, who was recently nominated for Country Artist of the Year at the 2021 Western Canadian Music Awards following the release of her debut album, ‘New Kind of Outlaw.’ As a Black Queer woman (and literally a shaman!), D’orjay is passionate, vocal, and committed to bringing diversity and inclusiveness to country music. As she boldly states on the title track of her album, “I love country music, but will country music love me?”
Then, joining Mike from the other side of the world is Andrew Farriss, the chief songwriter behind Australian icons INXS. He released his debut solo album in March, which is Farriss’ first country-influenced endeavor. In country music, he says he found the kind of storytelling that truly connects with his life. Farriss is one of Australia’s most prolific songwriters and in 2020, he was awarded the Member of the Order of Australia. INXS were also the recipient of multiple ARIA awards and were inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame. Around the world, the band was nominated for a JUNO and multiple Grammys. With a career spanning 30 years, they have sold over 50 million albums worldwide, including a Diamond selling status in Canada. Outside of INXS, Farriss is an Australian Songwriter’s Hall of Fame inductee. It’s no wonder how he has amassed around 250 songs over the years.
