If you don't know who Kate Miller-Heidke is you may need to look a little closer, writes VAUGHAN MAYBERRY.

It’s amazing what lengths musicians will go to transform their image and improve their marketability.

Brisbane’s Kate Miller-Heidke already had the tools for pop stardom so she didn’t really need a makeover, right?

But her extreme musical talent, beautiful opera trained voice, catchy tunes and a diminutive stature weren’t enough – well, according to Kate.

So since her last visit to Cairns in 2006 she made a slight wardrobe adjustment and more noticeably created a new, more unique hairstyle.

"Well, it’s just a fringe and I bleached it to hell", Kate laughs.

"I also used to flounce around in floral dresses from the 1950’s and for (my EP) Circular Breathing it made sense.

"For this album the dress was more colour, more rock and a bit more out there.

"I subconsciously dressed for the album."

It only took two small changes but Kate’s image has been transformed and it appears a new Australian pop star was born.

Throw in her ARIA Award nominated album of last year, Little Eve, and you can see why she has suddenly become hot property.

Kate started soothing ears with her Circular Breathing EP release of 2006 and she has since capitalised on her obvious talent by taking her quirky and edgy folk/pop to a new level with Little Eve.

The album was nominated for four ARIAs for Best Female Artist, Best Pop Release, Breakthrough Artist: Album and Breakthrough Artist: Single for the single Words, and the singles Make It Last and Space They Cannot Touch quickly followed.

Despite the industry recognition, Little Eve unfortunately has not received the mass radio airplay it deserves.

"It’s a difficult one for the radio people because it doesn’t fit into any particular genre," Kate says.

"It’s not ‘dirty’ enough for Triple J and it’s not ‘pop’ enough for commercial radio.

"I think it’s more pop than anything but we’ll keep playing it at our gigs and hopefully more and more people will get into it."

But this hasn’t deterred a musician who admits, "(I’ve) always been in my element on stage."

In fact, she loves it so much she’s turned her passion for touring into an extensive and rather gruelling schedule that has seen her performing almost 100 shows in the last 12 months, including a spot in last year’s ARIA ceremony.

And even though she’ll be nearly at the end of her tour when she arrives in Cairns, she’s already thinking about her next venture.

"The next album is going to be a bit more rock and a bit more weird," she says.

"Keir (Nuttall, a band member) and I have set up a home studio and we’ve been working on some new tracks.

"It’s just a laptop and microphone but the results so far have been amazing."

Kate Miller-Heidke is a captivating and compelling live act and the intimate setting of Tanks Arts Centre this Friday night should suit her theatrical performances perfectly.

Kate Miller-Heidke performs at Tanks Arts Centre this Friday, May 30 from 7.30pm. To book phone 4031 9555.

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