Mel Kay Launches Singles UPSIDE DOWN and FEEL ALRIGHT this 7 October

GIVEN she has been involved in music since the age of three, it's little surprise Mel Kay chose to embark on a singing career.

At 17, she was accepted into the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts to study an advanced diploma of contemporary music performance, majoring in vocal studies, followed by a bachelor of music performance.

The now 22-year-old is set to release her latest singles Upside Down Town and Feel Alright at Jimmy's Den in Northbridge on October 7.

Kay describes both singles as up-tempo tunes, mixing pop, indie and funk genres.

"I wrote them with the intention to empower young women to know their worth," she said.

"I want to encourage them to have the courage to stand up for themselves in a society that is often very focused on instant gratification and objectification.

"I wanted to write a song about the importance of respect because we are all intelligent human beings with a deep need to be loved and valued just as we are."

Inspired by The Browhorn Orchestra, Lorde, Regina Spektor and Kate Miller-Heidke, Kay said she had always loved music that crossed genres.

"My aim was to create music that could connect to a wide audience while also having a very unique vibe and sound," she said. "Using these genres together helped us to achieve that aim as best we could."

The collective "we" Kay refers to is Liberté (pronounced "Libert-ae"), the 10-piece band she regularly performs with featuring guitar, bass, drums, keyboards, saxophone, trumpet, trombone and backing singers.

All band members have either studied at WAAPA, or are current students, and contributed to Kay's latest two singles, produced by Brodie Stewart.

"They are all incredible musicians and I am so stoked to be able to work with performers of their level," she said.

"The main challenge with recording was making sure we were prepared before we went into the studio and, of course, matching the busy schedules of 10 working musicians.

"We decided to track the rhythm section live and the horn section together so we had to make sure there were no mistakes - we managed to get both tracks down in two days, which we were stoked about."

While studying at WAAPA for four years, Kay performed in multiple showcases at the Ellington Jazz Club, Rosemount Hotel, Geoff Gibbs Theatre and Laneway Lounge with a mix of original and cover bands.

In 2014, she recorded her first single Lonely Now which received commercial airplay and was voted top ballad on CD Baby.

"With the latest release, the aim is to reach a wider audience and ideally gain airplay and rotation on radio stations around Australia, hopefully gaining management at the same time," Kay said.

Mel Kay featuring Liberté launch Upside Down Town and Feel Alright, supported by Jake of Spades and Elephant Isle, at 8pm, October 7. Tickets are $15 - book at https://events.ticketbooth.com.au/event/mel-kay-ft-liberte-single-launch
.

Jimmy's Den is at 69 James Street, Northbridge.

Upside Down Town and Feel Alright are available through iTunes, CD Baby, Spotify and Soundcloud.

More information about Mel Kay is available at:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/musicmelkay

Soundcloud: http://soundcloud.com/mel-kay_music