‘Dancer’ is the name of new single from Alice Springs singer Lanrae, otherwise known as Jacqueline Freeman, or ‘Jax’ to her friends.

‘Lanrae’ is Jax’s stage name, or as she likes to say, her ‘alter ego’ where she is “fearless and everything is possible”.

And when you listen to Lanrae’s new single, that sense of freedom and possibility literally seeps from the speakers, flowing from her voice into the ether.

It’s a rare quality for any performer to possess, specially for someone in the throes of seriously kick-starting their professional music career.

Living in NT communities – around Alice and the Barkly too – in the somewhat “nomadic” fashion as she has for the last five years, might also have something to do with it.

The space of the land and the endless horizon of the desert never ceases to inform artists and musicians who dwell there, from no matter where they hail.

Growing up in Sydney, travelling overseas and also living in Melbourne for a spell, five years ago Jax/Lanrae found herself working in music, teaching in remote communities out bush, in places like Tennant Creek. (She was part of the team who worked with Tennant Creek rapper Kylie Sambo on her Muckaty single and video).

Music Outback Foundation is one such remote music education organisation she works with, in the Territory.

Lanrae has also been busy writing and recording her own music.

Happenstance led her to meet music producer Fraser Montgomery, and an array of musicians who helped make the music on her soon-to-be-released first album, recorded in Melbourne: “Yen Ngyuen (Mechanical Pterodactyl), Jake Savona (Mista Savona), Mal Webb, Barry Hill (Amphibian), James Majernick (Bonjah), Ben Karsay, Cye Wood and Tom Ward, just to name a few”.

With single Dancer out and the album due for release early in 2012, chances are we’ll be hearing a lot more from this Alice Springs-based artist. Lanrae takes up the story from here..

Music NT: How did you first get involved in playing music?

Lanrae: I always wanted to be in musicals when I was a kid. I was more focused on dance early on.

But an injury and an opportunity to join a band in high school moved my focus more toward singing.

MuNT: Which instruments do you play?

Lanrae: I play guitar, do a bit of live looping and some programming for recording – if computer instruments count!

MuNT: How long have you been recording – and what have you recorded so far?

Lanrae: My first device was an old Tascam 244 cassette recorder. I have a harmony addiction! I used to just write songs and record them so I could put harmonies down.

I then moved on to Protools and more recently to Logic. I’ve recorded 2 EPs and most recently my first album, which I’ll release early in 2012.

MuNT: Can you tell us your Alice Springs story – how did you come to be living there and making music? And what do you do for a ‘day job’?

Lanrae: About 5 years ago I worked on an arts-based engagement program for young people in Tennant Creek. I then linked up with Music Outback Foundation and the work just grew from there.

I found I was in the NT so much for work doing music and youth programs which I loved, that I quit my job in Melbourne and moved up here (Alice Springs). I love it out here, the country and the people; it’s awesome, so inspiring.

MuNT: Have you performed much so far?

Lanrae: Not as Lanrae. I’ve performed heaps as Jacqueline Freeman around Sydney (The Basement, The Metro, The Vanguard etc), and Melbourne, and at a few festivals like Woodford and Peats Ridge (2007). I spent a year in London and played gigs over there as well.

MuNT: How would you describe your music?

Lanrae: Indie pop.

MuNT: Did you have any particular mentors when you were starting out who helped you develop your sound and songwriting?

Lanrae: I participated in a community music program called The Bondi Wave when I first left high school. Peter Winkler* was running it at the time and was great support for may years to come. He’s an amazing man, who’s done a lot for community through out his career.*

* Peter Winkler was musician in residence for 20 years at Bondi Pavilion. He was the founder of the Bondi Wave youth music workshop in Sydney, “initially a one off project that.. lasted 20 years. It has been inspirational for many young people”. (Source: www.waverley.nsw.gov.au)

MuNT: Are you from a musical family?

Lanrae: My grandfather played music when he was younger, but other than that, not at all. My mum is tone deaf!

MuNT: You seem to be building the foundations of launching your music and yourself as an artist. Do you find it nerve-wracking? Being that early launching phase? Or exhilarating?

Lanrae: It’s a bit of both. I’ve recently had a big shift in my attitude. I realised I wasn’t having fun because I was so freaked out about failing.

Since I got over that, it’s been awesome. It’s still scary and there’s so much to learn, but I’m not so worried about making mistakes. Being less precious about everything has actually given my brain the space it needs to be more focused, and I’m getting a lot more done and having heaps more fun as I go. I stress less and laugh more.

MuNT: Some artists find music consumes them; others integrate it into very busy lives.. What about you?

Lanrae: I’m lucky, in that a lot of my work is music-based.

MuNT: What plans or ambitions do you have with your music?

Lanrae: My mission is to be be as honest and vulnerable in my songwriting as I can be, in the hope that someone might hear a track and find their own strength from a shared experience.

[Current single] Dancer for example is about the battles I’ve had in the past with depression and all of the useless babbling negative thoughts I have when I’m scared of failing.

MuNT: Have you had any particular help getting your career started?

Lanrae: I’ve been so lucky to be surrounded by amazing people who believe in me. My mum is a star. Peter Winkler was awesome in helping me with recording grants through the Bondi Pavillion when I was getting started.

[Music producer/engineer] Fraser Montgomery came on board to produce the new album [he has worked with CAAMA Music and in Yuendemu]; Carlos Mendez – who I met traveling in India and lives in NY – has been amazing with all the internet and online stuff; and most recently I have had the honor of working with cinematographer James L. Brown who pulled an amazing crew together for the Dancer shoot.

MuNT: Will you stay in Alice Springs? Or move on to make music your career?

Lanrae: At the moment, thanks to the internet and social media I can do both. Eventually I’d really like to travel with the music overseas.

MuNT: Who are some of your favorite artists/NT artists?

Lanrae: At the moment, I’ve just started listening to Jessie J. I always have a few old school albums on rotation. My fave overall artist is Bobby McFerrin – he’s just beyond amazing.

My fave NT artists are Jessica Mauboy, Gurrumul, Mai Lai Swan and Kylie Sambo, who I had the pleasure of working with last year on her track Muckaty, and performing with at last year’s Island Vibe Festival.

I also really like the Sunshine Reggae Band. They played a great set at this years Bush Bands Bash.

MuNT: And the question has to be asked! How did the name Lanrae come about?

Lanrae: Lanrae is my ‘alter ego’. When I step into Lanrae, I’m fearless and I believe everything is possible!

MuNT: Please finish this sentence: “In 5 year’s time, Lanrae will be…”

Lanrae: … Sharing her music globally and inspiring more people to overcome their doubts and pursue their dreams.

• Stay up-to-date with Lanrae on her Facebook page.
  
• Listen to Dancer on Unearthed
• Visit lanrae.com

Words: Megan Spencer. Thanks to Jax/Lanrae for the interview & pictures!