ABOUT
“Tracey has an energy that is infectious and a determination that can not be ignored. Her songs speak from the bottom of her soul and reflect the sound and scenery of her West Australian roots with an elegance that is unique.” Shaun Kirk
"Tracey Barnett is a rare example of a young woman who can, single handedly, walk onto any stage, grab the audience and take them on an uplifting journey ..... this is original roots and blues at its best"
Susan Clarke, Dingo Beach Music
"Tucked away in Bridgetown is someone who could be best described as a quiet achiever ....
Tracey Barnett has a shyness even on stage that belies her immense talent"
Ted Dana, Australian Music Network
"Her fluent guitar playing interspersed with the odd taste of the harmonica and her beautiful melodic soulful voice was brilliantly uplifting. Tracey managed to captivate the audience and there was not a single foot in the house that wasn’t tapping to the earthy flowing rhythms."
Barry Benfell, South West Blues Club
"When I played a live gig with Tracey Barnett, I was blown away by her vocals and songwriting! She's also an awesome guitar player"
Bill Chambers,
What happens when an alternative rock guitarist picks up an acoustic guitar and starts performing solo? You get Tracey Barnett.
The West Australian singer-songwriter has earned a reputation for heartfelt song-writing and exhilarating shows thanks to her distinctive, high-energy brand of blues and roots. That reputation saw her crowned 'Best Regional Act' at the 2018 West Australian Music Industry Awards.
Armed with her trusty acoustic guitar, harmonica, stomp-box and soaring vocals, Tracey weaves her emotive and passionate stories into your very soul. People love the energy and skill behind her powerhouse stage presence, and are moved and inspired by her emotive lyrics, solid rhythm and slide guitar hooks.
Initially from an alternative rock background, Tracey's style mixes experimental flair with traditional rock, blues and a hint of country, creating a fusion that’s impossible to resist. Her dynamic sound inspires hopefulness, connectedness and pure, unadulterated fun.
While some performers might choose to go down the full band path after a taste of
success, Tracey made a conscious choice to stay true to her roots and perform mainly solo. It’s a decision that’s paid off bigtime for the Bridgetown local, receiving an award at
the West Australian Music Industry Awards for 'Best Regional Act' 2018, WAM Song
of the Year nominations across multiple years, two WAM Award nods in 2017, and
festival slots at many of WA’s biggest folk, blues and roots festivals.
Tracey's songwriting is inspired by a deep sense of connection – with herself, others
and the environment. Lyrically, she bounces between reflecting on past experiences
and writing of the person she wants to become. Most of all, she writes with sheer
honesty – making for heartfelt music that’s exceptionally relatable.
Following two EPs, Barnett’s debut album 'Heart, Soul, Feeling' was released in
2017, receiving plenty of airplay across community radio, ABC Radio and Triple J’s
Roots ‘n All program.
From festivals to intimate venues, Tracey's music fills any space with a powerful
energy and an uplifting sense of hope. Her thrilling live shows have connected with
audiences across her home state, from the Kimberley to the Great Southern, all the
way to the east coast of Australia.
*****
A little history ...
Tracey started out as a guitarist in Alternative Rock and Metal bands during high school. Her first all girl rock band 'Slived', were the first all girl band to win Gozzy Rock. They recorded and EP but sadly disbanded shorty after as they were living too far apart and didn't even have their driver's licenses yet!
Tracey received a shake up after another band went on hiatus when the 14 year old drummer was admitted into rehab for drug addiction. She had a glimpse of her future and started to doubt the path she was on. It was then that Tracey feared there was no future for her in music full time. She graduated from senior high school with a music award in hand, a solo self recorded EP and her first spin on Triple J of a riff she'd submitted into a competition to win a Gibson Les Paul signed by one of her idols, Adam Jones from TOOL. She was the only female to have her track played on air for the competition.
After school Tracey did like many and worked in retail to afford a Diploma for a job that she felt wasn't her calling, but was secure, entered the workforce, but never lost her passion for music. In 2007 a friend persuaded her to busk on the street of the Blues at Bridgetown Festival and was spotted by a Margaret River based musician whom invited her to open for some of his shows throughout the South West and Peel Regions of Western Australia.
News of Tracey's talent quickly spread and her gigging schedule was soon a struggle to maintain along with full time work. In March 2012 Tracey has a serious horse riding accident which saw her laid up for over a month. In that time her priorities shifted realising that life is too short not to be doing what you love. She sold the business she was running to start music full time and hasn't looked back.
*****
ACHIEVEMENTS
ACHIEVEMENTS:
Finalist 2019 Gympie Muster Talent Search
Winner 2018 West Australian Music Industry Awards 'Best Regional Act'
Nominee 2017-2018 West Australian Blues/Roots Song of the Year
Finalist 2018 West Australian Country Music Awards 'Album of the Year'
Nominee 2017 WAMAwards Best Regional Act of the Year
Nominee 2017 WAMAwards Best Blues/Roots Act of the Year
Winner 2016 Lancelin Buskers Festival Open Woman's Division
Nominee 2016 West Australian Blues/Roots Song of the Year
Finalist 2016 Boyup Brook Country Music Video Clip of the Year Awards
Finalist 2013 MusicOz Australian Independent Music Awards
Nominee 2013 West Australian Regional Song of the Year
Winner Blues at Bridgetown '15 mins of fame' 2012
Nominee 2011 West Australian Blues and Roots Song of the Year
Nominee 2011 West Australian Country Song of the Year
2nd in the South West Heat of the Next Big Thing Competition 2009
FESTIVALS:
Gympie Music Muster (Gympie, QLD) 2019
Nannup Music Festival (Nannup, WA) 2019
Blues at Bridgetown Festival (Bridgetown WA) 2018
Fairbridge Festival (Pinjarra WA) 2018
Blues at Bridgetown Festival (Bridgetown WA) 2017
WAM Festival (Perth, WA) 2017
Derby Boab Festival Closing Concert (Derby WA) 2017
Bodd Music Festival (Boddington, WA) 2017
Blues at Bridgetown Festival (Bridgetown, WA) 2016
Lancelin Buskers Festival (Lancelin, WA) 2016
Derby Boab Festival 'Long Table Dinner' (Derby, WA) 2016
Nukara Music Festival (Geraldton, WA) 2016
Blues at Bridgetown Festival (Bridgetown, WA) 2015
Derby Boab Festival Closing Concert (Derby, WA) 2015
Cherry Harmony Festival (Manjimup, WA) 2014
Blues at Bridgetown Festival (Bridgetown, WA) 2014
Saltwater Music Festival (Broome, WA) 2014
Nukara Music Festival (Geraldton, WA) 2014
Nannup Music Festival (Nannup, WA) 2014
Boyup Brook Country Music Festival (Boyup Brook, WA) 2014
Cherry Harmony Festival (Manjimup, WA) 2013
WAM Festival (Perth, WA) 2013
Blues at Bridgetown (Bridgetown, WA) 2013
Bridgetown Regional Winter Blues Festival (Bridgetown, WA) 2013
Blues at Bridgetown (Bridgetown, WA) 2012
Boyup Brook Country Music Festival (Boyup Brook, WA) 2012
Blues at Bridgetown (Bridgetown, WA) 2011
Nannup Music Festival (Nannup, WA) 2010
Blues at Bridgetown (Bridgetown, WA) 2010
Blues at Bridgetown (Bridgetown, WA) 2009
SUPPORTED:
Caravana Sun
Daniel Champagne
Damien Leith
Donavon Frankenreiter
Mental as Anything
Nathan Cavaleri
Nathan Kaye
Perch Creek
Shaun Kirk
Tex Perkins
Wendy Matthews
And many more!!