The Straddie Island Singers - interview

From humble beginnings to finding themselves a regular at major festivals, the Straddie Island Singers pride themselves on their ties to the community.

Founded over ten years ago, and sourced from fellow music lovers in the neighbourhood, the Straddie Island Singers have a much stronger link to their listeners than your average a capella group. Currently the ensemble boasts an impressive twenty members, most of whom are friends and colleagues of the people they play for. Started as a way of encouraging participation in the community and nurturing a love for music, the Singers have developed into a tightly knit family.

“We came from various parts of the island,” Sean, a member of the group, told us. “We come from all sorts of backgrounds and cultures. Basically, we’ve been a strong part of the community for thirteen years now. We’re a big family.”
It’s this unity with each other and the land that produces the unique influences in their music. Being physically close to nature, songs often revolve around the local environment, relating to beaches, rainforests and the sea. “It’s a connection to the island, really. A musical connection between us. And of course the community is actually based on an island, which shows through in a lot of our songs. We get our inspiration from the island.“

While many of their songs involve their picturesque scenery, it’s certainly not all the Singers sing about. Due to the diverse taste of their members and the varied venues they frequent, their catalogue is massive, ranging from Celtic melodies to gospel tunes, and everything in between.

It’s been a long journey for the group. Being a vital part of Stradbroke Island, they have participated in numerous events for the benefit of the community. These events are many and varied, ranging from art auctions, school fetes and, most recently, major music festivals. The Straddie Island Singers have been a part of the Island Vibe Festival for three years now, and it’s a tradition that has become a highlight for the choir.

“The group has made Island Vibes a very important part of their year. We’ve put a lot of practice into it, and we’re looking forward to it.” Sean said.

THE STRADDIE SINGERS WILL BE PERFORMING AT THE ISLAND VIBES FESTIVAL, WHICH RUNS FROM OCTOBER 29TH TO THE 31ST.