Upwey singer Carrie Young and her band mate Mischa Hermann will take centre stage at the Hills Idol
By Tania Martin
CELTIC tunes will be a drawcard for this year’s Hills Idol competition on Sunday.
Upwey singer Carrie Young with her Celtic band, Rant, is among the groups to take centre stage at the Upwey-Belgrave RSL.
The band formed nine months ago and is already known in the industry. Rant plays traditional Celtic tunes and songs as well as arrangements of classics such as The Phantom of The Opera.
Lead vocalist, Carrie, is joined by piano accordionist Mischa Hermann, guitarist Rob Burton, and harpist Michelle Doyle.
Music has always been a big part of Carrie’s life. For many years her instrument was the piano, but she switched to singing with the guidance of a high school teacher.
“I have always been interested in Irish music,” she said.
Mischa’s parents are both avid musicians and have encouraged him to follow in their footsteps. Mischa mastered the recorder first before moving onto the piano and now the accordion.
On Sunday he will be the first recipient of the Maity Swallow Award. The award was created in memory of one of Australia’s finest button accordion players and a former Upwey-Belgrave RSL member. Maity was known as a member of the popular Cobbers Bush Band in the 1970s and early 80s. The award was formed in conjunction with the Upwey-Belgrave RSL and the Lake School to recognise emerging musicians.
“I first heard him play when he was a young boy, and even then it was possible to predict he would grow up to be one of Australia’s finest musicians in any style,” the Lake School program director Felix Meagher said.
Following the Hills Idol competition, Rant will take centre stage to perform well-loved Irish songs and wild Celtic tunes.
The Upwey Belgrave RSL is at 1 Mast Gully Road. The competition starts at 9am and continues into the evening.
