Dallas officially released Lighthouse on Friday, January 7, followed by an official launch at Wests’ Leagues Club on Saturday, January 8.

It was the golden guitar winner’s third studio album and she says it had been a “real Tamworth” production having recorded it at her father’s Kootingal studio, with the album photography and the video clip for the lead single Lighthouse, shot by local professionals. 

“We’re keeping it all here in town as much as we can,” Dallas said.

Dallas said the album gives fans an insight into a more mature woman since her latest offering.

“I always was a songwriter, I think I write the best when it is based on my own personal sort of stories,” she said. “I feel like it stepped up from my last couple of albums, maybe the maturity has started to kick in.

“I wanted to share the next stage of my music career. With Lighthouse (the leading single) I wrote that thinking back to my family holidays to the coast and if the lighthouse could tell the stories of all the things that it has seen.

“It’s a happy kind of album, there were obviously a few sadder songs on there, but it’s a mixture of love, life stories and songs. It’s been a lot of fun to record and a lot of fun writing it and all the songs are great to play live as well and I can’t wait to get it out.”

Dallas said the release of her latest single was met with a response beyond her wildest dreams. 

“It’s good to just to get it out share it with people and get to know what they think and go from there,” she said.

“This single has probably been the best reception I’ve ever had, I don’t know if it’s because I’ve got more of a following, or more hype straight away, but it’s charted really well Australia-wide and lots of the fans are loving it.

“It’s a nice little kick of confidence and also with the clip, it’s been played on CMC, everyone is loving it. It’s been really nice to share it as much as I can with people here in town that are just as talented.”

It’s no secret that the Dallas family are ingrained in Australian country music history. But the young country star feels no pressure in living up to the family name.

“Sharing it with the family is a special thing and I’m very lucky that I can do that,” she said. “I think why not use it to its full potential and surround yourself with people who know you and know your music.

“I actually had my granddad (Golden Guitar winner) Rex Dallas, appear on the new album as well and that’s the first time we’ve ever done a duet as me, grown up.”

Dallas will be performing with her band at Wests’ Leagues and Wests’ Diggers each day of the Festival.

“I have thrown all of us into mayhem,” she said.

“Every day we have a show with the Wests’ group either at Leagues or Diggers – a three hour show with them every day.

“It’s free shows, it gives back to the fans and it’s ten days so why not make the most of it. Plus I’m hairdressing at the same time, so no rest for the wicked until after.”