BIOGRAPHY

Shelly Brown is a Singer, Songwriter and a passionate Vocal Coach.

Lennox Head NSW Australia

Shelly is always involved in a great number of projects…

She also has two Podcast projects:

Full length Album “Focus” (2019) is a delicately recorded group of songs.

Some live recorded in the family farm, the day before auction, some recorded in the stunning sound studios of the Byron Bay SAE Campus. The majority of the project was recorded by the incredible James Boundy of Boundy Sound and also features the vocal trio Mrs Miyagi (Shelly, Carla Versitano & Sonia Leeson) who were recorded live by Jan Muths.

“Focus”; Release Date: September 30th; 2019.

Written by Shelly Brown. Arranged by Shelly Brown & Dan Brown. Mixed by James Boundy. Mastered by Michael Worthington.

track list…

1. Follow The Blackbird Feat. Mrs Miyagi Shelly Brown- Vocals & Baritone Ukulele; Sonia Leeson & Carla Versitano– Vocals
2. Sugar   Shelly Brown- Vocals & Baritone Ukulele; Dan Brown– Keys;
3. Burnin for a Long Time   Shelly Brown- Vocals & Baritone Ukulele; Sonia Leeson– Vocals; Dan Brown– Keys; Grant Gerathy– Kit
4. Tendrils of Love   Shelly Brown- Vocals & Baritone Ukulele; Dan Brown– Keys;
5. We Will Sing   Shelly Brown- Vocals & Baritone Ukulele; Joanna Lavell & Jay Kingdom– Vocals
6. He’s Got Her Feat. Mrs Miyagi Shelly Brown- Vocals & Baritone Ukulele; Sonia Leeson & Carla Versitano– Vocals
7. If I Sleep   Shelly Brown- Vocals & Baritone Ukulele; Jay Kingdom– Vocals
8. Watching You Feat. Mrs Miyagi Shelly Brown- Vocals & Baritone Ukulele; Sonia Leeson & Carla Versitano– Vocals
9. Wasted   Shelly Brown- Vocals & Baritone Ukulele; Dan Brown– Keys & Bass;
10. I Wait   Shelly Brown- Vocals & Baritone Ukulele; Dan Brown– Keys.
11. Golden Tears   Shelly Brown- Vocals & Baritone Ukulele.

Influences

Shelly’s background is in writing poetry with endless scrawlings of thoughts on random pieces of paper and in blank books desiring such things. She also grew up in a musical family, where playing music after dinnertime was a common occurrence throughout her childhood. Singing came naturally. She then learnt guitar from the age of fifteen, and began piano from about the age of nineteen. Other instruments slowly followed; with drums, bass, flute and ukulele; though she’s the first to say she’s a jedi master of none.

Shelly’s influences are varied and bizarre, as are anyone’s. From an early musical diet of James Taylor, Stevie Wonder and Crosby Stills and Nash, to a more contemporary Australian Soul scene of Georgia Potter, Ngaiire, and Elana Stone.

Living in one of Australia’s coastal musical hubs certainly helped inspire and influence as well, as most touring artists somehow manage to lovingly fit the picturesque and distinct seaside village of Byron Bay into their international tour or festival schedule.

Reviews

  • “Shelly has one of those incredibly rare voices that reaches deep into your soul and controls you at will. Utterly captivating, dangerously powerful and honest as it comes. The best I’ve ever known” Lloyd Spiegel
  • “Honeyed Soul” Robbie Buck, Inside Sleeve, ABC Radio National
  • “Vocalist Shelly Hughes, the “mistress of twang”, the “siren of sob”, takes you to emotional places places with her vocal interpretations. The warmth of her connection with the audience has them smiling in wonder, sometimes eyes closed, but fully aware of how such a voice can move you” Peter Lino, Home Made Jam, House Concerts Network

Contact

Who are you really though?

Born and bred in the Bayou of Ballina, Northern NSW, My parents were sailors, artists, architects, inventors and pilots. They made boats – sailing and trawlers. They designed and made houses and shed… And they made aircraft – single and two seat light sport aircraft. My siblings and I worked with them and now my brother and I manage the company. We made Australia’s “workhorse of the sky” The Australian LightWing Light Sport Aircraft.

I made the websites… I did a lots of the photography. Self taught photoshopist, web designer, videographer, designer. I could check out and time I wanted, but I could never leave. Careers highlights include that time the cinematographer that did Top Gun said he liked my ads in the magazines at an Oshkosh mixer. chuffed. Or hanging out of a helicopter to photograph dad flying by at particularly close proximity. Or just generally hanging out on airstrips. People aren’t allowed to really do that. I really enjoying doing it in a nice dress. Usually its men, being very manly.

They, my parents, were encouraging. passionate, drive, eccentric, nutty, bizarre wonderful people. It is my pleasure to be a reflection of them off into the world.

“Where The Owl Was” (2012)

is Shelly’s 3rd release after her independent release “Azucar” (2006);

and her University Honours graduation project “Feel so Free” (2002).

Her album “Where The Owl Was” is a thoughtful response to a long anticipated soul and R&B pilgrimage to USA in 2011. Immersing herself in the sights and sounds of the homeland of soul and Jazz, these stunning tunes have effortlessly flown from her pen, to roost in your ear nests.

Enjoyed awesome reception in the band Red Bantoo at the following great Aussie festivals – Woodford 2011 and 2010, Peat’s Ridge, Island Vibes and Mullumbimby Music Festival, as well as CAMA Festival in Hanoi. In this group Shelly is singing Lead as well as laying down delicious harmonies.

Shelly has sung in CBD Dub Project supporting Easy Dub All Stars and Kora.

She is a frequent performer in a Jazz Duet with the irrepressible Dan Brown, laying down smashing sets at The Brisbane Jazz Club and York Jazz Fest in 2010. As a duo they had a hootenanny supporting the New Orleans Dirty Dozens Brass Band and Jon Cleary at their North Coast concerts.

Shelly’s mellifluous style is eclectic and unique, instantly recognisable as a seasoned pro. Drawing on a wide range of timbres and influences she crystallises her broad tastes in a unique powerhouse.

“Where The Owl Was” is a distillation of honesty, playfulness, depth and experience. The result of years of song writing and six months of tireless production, this album is a clear expression of clever musicality, sensuality and above all, pure talent.

“Where The Owl Was”; Release Date: June 11th; 2012.
Distributed by Vitamin Records Australiawww.vitamin.net.au

track list…

Silver Steeples Shelly Brown- Vocals; Dan Brown- Organ, Glock & Guitar; Thierry Fossemalle– Bass; Tim Foley– Percussion; Pete Wilkins– Kit.  
Looking Glass Shelly Brown- Vocals; Carla Versitano– Vocals; Stuart Currie– Trombone; Dan Brown– Bass, Piano, Rhodes & Kalimba; Grant Gerathy– Kit.  
All You Know Shelly Brown- Vocals; Thierry Fossemalle– Double Bass; Dan Brown– Keys, Wurlitzer, Melodica, Acoustic Guitar; Tim Foley– Percussion; Grant Gerathy– Kit.  
Please Don’t Fall Shelly Brown- Vocals; Sonia Leeson & Carla Versitano– Vocals; Dan Brown– Keys, Bass, Strings, Rhodes & Synths; Grant Gerathy– Kit.  
Take Flight Shelly Brown- Vocals; Sonia Leeson & Rangiuaia Haukamau– Vocals; Dan Brown– Keys & Bass; Pete Wilkins– Kit.  
Set in Stone Shelly Brown- Vocals; Stuart Currie– Trombone; Dan Brown– Keys, Bass; Grant Gerathy– Kit.  
Consequence Shelly Brown- Vocals; Dan Brown– Moog Bass, Keys; Pete Wilkins– Kit.  
Travel Light Shelly Brown- Vocals; Thierry Fossemalle– Double Bass; Dan Brown– Keys; Tim Foley– Percussion; Pete Wilkins– Kit.  
Wherever You Go Shelly Brown- Vocals; Dan Brown- Keys; Grant Gerathy- Kit.  

Recorded By Dan Brown @ Twig Bird Studios and James Boundy “Sonic Artistry” @ Patchwork Studios

Mixed By James Boundy “Sonic Artistry” @ Patchwork Studios

Mastered by Michael Worthington “SoundWorthy Studios”

Artwork by Katie Alleva “Little Paper Tree”

Photography by Polly Snowden and Carla Versitano

Album artwork layout by Shelly Brown.