Rider Essentials: Amber Lawrence

Amber Lawrence kicked off 2022 with a new song, filled with happiness, hope and is one big sing-along. Fill It Up is the third single from her forthcoming album, following Bring It Back and I’m Coming Home. 

The former Qantas Airways employee and chartered accountant, risked it all to pursue a career in music, later releasing an EP in 2006 and her debut album The Mile in 2007. She released a further five albums between 2009 and 2016. In 2017, she collaborated with Travis Collins on Our Backyard, which took home three Golden Guitar Awards, and dropped the festive children’s album, Aussie Aussie Christmas.

In 2019, she released her sixth studio album, Spark, which hit the #1 position of the ARIA Country Music Charts as well as her first long-form LIVE DVD and album Amber Lawrence Live. She also released her third children’s album, The Kids Gone Country II, which debuted at #2 on the iTunes Kids Chart and #2 on the Album Country Chart.

To learn more about Amber, we caught up with the five-time Golden Guitar winner to find out the things she always takes on the road with her for this week’s Rider Essentials.

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1. Outfits

Well most of my friends and fans know that sequin onesies are my thing!! So, first thing in my touring bag is a selection of outfits for the show. I generally bring about 5 outfits on the road, as I never know what I’m going to feel like wearing on the night, and there’s nothing worse than busting a zipper just before you go on stage, and not having a spare!

2. My guitar

Of course, I can’t go anywhere without my beautiful Maton, 808 guitar! I was gifted my blonde beauty in 2008. It has travelled the world with me, from all around Australia, to the USA, to entertaining the troops in East Timor, Egypt and Afghanistan. It has a beautiful warm sound, and many stories and songs have been written using this guitar. I don’t leave home without her.

3. Merchandise

Right now, I’ve got Fill it Up Hip Flasks that are going off, plus some I’m Coming Home T-shirts. Merchandise is the biggest part of touring these days - we love it when fans purchase our merch and wear it proudly. And we love selling out of our merch too - so come up and say hello at a show.

4. Gaff Tape, Water Bottle and Keep Cup 

Never leave home without these three magic items. Gaff tape can fix anything from broken guitar straps, to a busted thong or belt, to sticking down your set list on stage. I always bring my water bottle, as I’m trying to prevent as much waste on the road as possible, and the same goes for my coffee keep cup - as coffee is a must on the road!!

5. Phone full of photos

I generally travel without my toddler, Ike - so I always bring a phone full of photos. In fact, I think I have around 15,000 photos on my iPhone and, of course, when I’m away I’m constantly checking in at home and asking Marty (my husband) to send me photos of what they are both up to, I love scrolling photos when I’m waiting to go on stage.

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Keep up to date with Amber Lawrence, follow her on Facebook here.