Artist of the Week: Melody Moko

CountryTown in partnership with iHeartCountry Australia is proud to announce Melody Moko as our Artist Of The Week, following her nominations for ALT Country Album, Female Artist and New Talent of the Year at this year’s Toyota Golden Guitar Awards.

Born and raised in Adelaide, Melody knew early on that she “wanted to sing like Linda Ronstadt, and write songs like Bob Dylan.” With the encouragement from her father, she began travelling around Australia, playing her songs, and winning songwriting awards in her early teens. She later went to the US, where she performed at iconic country music venues such as Nashville’s famous Bluebird Cafe, The Continental Club in Austin, Texas and Hank William's favourite hangout, Tootsies. 

In 2017, she released her debut album The Wreckage, co-produced by multi-instrumentalist (and partner) Michael Moko and award-winning songwriter Catherine Britt. The album earned her a CMC New Artist nomination, and saw her play shows with Fanny Lumsden, The McClymonts and Catherine Britt.

Her current single Mama, debuted at No. 15 on the Countrytown Music Network Hot 50 chart and is the fourth track to be lifted from her ARIA #1 Australian Country Album, Two Kids and a Radio. Produced by Neilson Hubbard and co-produced by Michael Moko, the single is also timed as a bit of tongue in cheek irony upon the arrival of her third child due in March.

Melody says, “Mama is for the doubters, the ones who always ask musicians when they are going to get a real job. I just got tired of being asked that question, so I wrote this song instead – it's one of my favourite feels on the record."

She adds, “I feel like The Wreckage was my life PG and pretty, still figuring out how I wanted to tell my story, just nudging at it and testing the waters. [Two Kids and a Radio] is the MA version, the indie film, the nude scenes, the gross things and the stuff that makes viewers or listeners uncomfortable but needs to be said.”

Keep up to date with everything Melody Moko and follow her on Facebook here.

For more Artist Of The Week features, including Melody Moko, check out here.

Image: Supplied