ALLISON Forbes is sick of hearing "shit" music on the radio.
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Her song Broken Radios ironically had to be changed three times to remove swear words before it could be played on air.
"Just having a look at the charts and popular music in general I just felt it was a bit lacklustre," she said.
"I've been going back to a lot of the music that's been around for a while and wondering where that magic in music went because it feels empty.
"Once upon a time music was magical, it could completely fix and heal but now broadcasters aren't getting behind that music because they're more worried about making money."
I've been going back to a lot of the music that's been around for a while and wondering where that magic in music went because it feels empty.
- Allison Forbes
The Tamworth artist is ready to release her debut album, and said a lot of artists feel they have to create music in a certain way for commercial success.
Meanwhile the independents who fund their own music and stand by their creativity more often than not end up in the poor, struggling artist category.
Forbes doesn't listen to the radio or watch television, and after a tough year she found her music to be the ultimate outlet.
The album is produced by Golden Guitar winner Shane Nicholson and took just more than a year to create, Forbes said.
"Obviously things happen, life happens, sad and bad things happen which put the process back but that's the beauty of being independent, you can play by your own rules," she said.
"There's a lot of different emotions in the record and listening to the songs now it's been really interesting to learn what your attachment becomes to it once it's finished.
"A lot of the songs are quite personal."
Music became more serious to Forbes when she lost her "regular job" and was offered a place at Tamworth's CMAA Academy, now known as The Academy.
She's spent the last couple of months in the Northern Territory, touring in her caravan.
"I wanted to find a new audience and take my music to its audience," she said.
"People put me in the alternate country category but I love bush balladeers and songs about our country.
"I always wanted to see the places my heroes have written about."
Forbes looks up to artists like John Williamson, and said she felt a special spiritual connection to the country up north.
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"I spent some time travelling and doing gigs around the Northern Territory, I connected with the land up there and a strong spiritual pull to the area," she said.
The album launches at The Tamworth Hotel on Friday from 7:30pm with special guests beforehand.
Madeline Link
Madeline Link is a journalist at the Newcastle Herald, with a focus on Lake Macquarie City Council. To keep up with my stories, follow my Twitter @madeline_link, for tips email madeline.link@newcastleherald.com.au.
Madeline Link is a journalist at the Newcastle Herald, with a focus on Lake Macquarie City Council. To keep up with my stories, follow my Twitter @madeline_link, for tips email madeline.link@newcastleherald.com.au.
