The former Inverell girl, who is now based in Sydney, returns to Tamworth with new collection of songs that will be released this year on her debut album this year.

One of those is the album’s first single, Fresh, which was co-written with Morgan Evans during her first visit to Nashville last year.

“I met up with Morgan, we went over to his apartment, sat on the lounge room floor and wrote Fresh in a couple of hours,” Melanie recalled.

“I went in with this title and I said ‘I really want to write this kind of summery, hooky, fresh song. I’ve got this idea, let’s work on it’.”

The single is also the title track of the album, which follows an EP she released last year called Lifetime.

While her music is still in the pop-country genre, Melanie said her songwriting had progressed and now had a more mature substance in her lyrics.

“I’m really excited about it, and hopefully it gets a good spin on radio,” Melanie said about the first single, suggesting the summery anthem would make a good road trip song.

“I’m really excited my producer who did the Lifetime EP also produced this song for us, so it’s got his kind of little spin on it as well, and keeping it pretty consistent with that sound that I first put out with Lifetime.”

As well as looking forward to the album release, which will include several launch gigs, Melanie is also playing two shows supporting The McClymonts in April

“It’s going to be a big year of playing shows, once this album is out and we get out on the road for everyone to hear it.”

She said that would definitely include a gig back home in Inverell.

“I do try to get home. I was home for Christmas and I loved that. I try to get home and see the family and just pop in and see everybody, but it’s been pretty busy these last 12 months being in Nashville and writing the album then recording.

“But this year I’ll be able to travel around and bring the music back home.

In the meantime, Melanie is playing eight gigs with her band in eight days during the festival, as well as spots in songwriter showcases, a shopping centre appearance, as well as performing at the Telstra Live and Loud concert in Toyota Park.

But perhaps the real highlight for the young singer is the chance to turn up on guest spots at other artists’ gigs.

“That’s the best part about Tamworth, everyone can join in and everybody knows everybody,” she said.