Natasha Eldridge is a talented singer-songwriter from Whadjuk and Ballardong Country, whose heart-warming music and soothing voice have soul, R&B, and acoustic folk influences, and whose lyrics come straight from the heart. Natasha has toured around Australia and in 2019, she received the NAIDOC Artist of the Year award. Last year, she also won the WAM Song of the Year award. 

Next month, she will perform alongside the West Coast Philharmonic Orchestra for Koort Boodja (Heartland), a special concert celebrating Country, its First Peoples, and the vast array of cultures who call it home. Natasha will perform two original works as well as Bruce Woodley and Dobe Newton’s classic, I Am Australian, which she will sing in both English and Noongar.

Pictured: Natasha Eldridge
Photography: Chris O’Halloran

We spoke to Natasha about her musical influences, her song writing process, and the meaning behind her two original songs on the concert program.

When did your love of music and singing begin?

I always remember loving music and singing. I was in choirs, musicals, and a band from a very young age. Then I took it on as a profession later in life and studied music knowledge, a Diploma, and tech pro for about four years altogether.

On top of your impressive singing abilities, you’re also a brilliant songwriter. What does your song writing process typically involve?

Thank you for the compliment. A few of my original songs have come from poems I have written. Some songs come to me at 3am so I’ll get up and write it down and record the melody, so I record it singing out loud – my poor husband, haha. But 3am, they call it the 'magic hour'.

Who or what are your greatest musical influences?

Ohh too many to mention and all genres – Etta James, Aretha Franklin, Tina Turner, Sam Cooke, Whitney Houston, Stevie Nicks, Beyoncé, Mariah Carey, Bob Marley, Yothu Yindi, Uncle Archie Roach, Aunty Gina Williams, and Angela Rule just to name a few. I love people who tell their stories through their music because I love telling my stories through my music.

Pictured: Natasha Eldridge
Photography: SK Creative

You’ll be performing two of your own works in this upcoming concert – Our Country and Koort Boodja (Heartland). Can you tell us a bit about the meaning behind these two works?

The first verse of Our Country is called 'My Country' because I, as an Aboriginal person, I am born of this land I belong to it. The second verse is called 'Our Country' because you choose this to be your home in Australia, and every time I close my eyes I can see rivers flowing through the mountains down the valleys, red ochre desert to the tropical seas, and sunsets over the ocean on a golden beach. Who wouldn’t want to make Australia their home?

Koort Boodja means 'Heartland'. When you look at an aerial view of Perth, you will see the Riverland (Bilya Boodja) to the Ocean (Mambakoort) to the Hills (Kaarta), and see how it’s all connected – especially from the Kings Park view where my Grandmother's Grandmother was born under a sacred tree that is still protected to this day in Kings Park (Kaarta Gar-up)

It must be so exciting to have the concert named after your own song! Which other artists or works are you most looking forward to hearing on the night?

I am so incredibly honoured to have this concert named after my song. I am really looking forward to hearing them all! What an incredible lineup of talented artists.

If you hadn’t pursued a career in music, what would you be doing instead?

Music! I will always do music.

Don’t miss Koort Boodja (Heartland) on Saturday 19 February, 7pm. Find tickets and more information.

Follow Natasha on Facebook and listen to her music on Spotify.