TONY HILLIER writes about the Tanks' fifth acoustic showcase of the year.

Unplugged, the Tanks Arts Centre’s acoustic showcase for singer-songwriters, will have a pop orientation this month.

Both featured acts, Eagle and Prodigal Sista, honed their craft in pubs and clubs and specialise in hook-laden songs

Eagle, aka Omid Master, fronted Melbourne rock bands Engine Room and Freakshow before relocating to Port Douglas and re-inventing himself as a singer-songwriter.

But not before advancing his writing skills under the tutelage of Skyhooks’ Greg Macainsh and the Little River Band’s Beeb Burtle at the Melba Conservatorium of Music.

Eagle writes songs that he describes as "catchy, humorous and emotional".

Since the release of his appositely titled debut album, Better Late Than Never, last year, he has supported the likes of Lior and Dallas Crane and appeared on festival bills around the country.

The first single off the album, Everything is Okay, has been picked up by commercial radio stations and ABC outlets around the country, landing its creator a regular live performance spot on a local breakfast show.

Eagle really stretches his wings in live performance, as those who have seen him around the traps will readily attest.

Prodigal Sista (inset) has also garnered a local following with a series of solid live performances and a toe-tapping mix of Latin, pop, R&B and funk-orientated songs.

The duo was born in the Far North a couple of years ago when Celine Davies and Kim Mullins crossed paths.

Both had enjoyed successful performance careers – Celine in France and Spain – but they have really gelled as Prodigal Sista, even though they come from different musical backgrounds.

The girls say they focus on writing songs with "a positive influence".

As usual, there’ll be a strong supporting cast at Sunday’s Unplugged, spearheaded by country singer Shari Williams, a finalist in this year’s Q-Song contest.

Two other Port Douglas-based artists, Rachel Bythestream and Kim Hurley, will be on the bill, along with Tableland artist Gabriella Normanton, folk singer Neil McLaughlin and big-voiced Walter Harnisch, who’s better known as "The Rev".

The August Tanks Unplugged featuring Eagle and Prodigal Sista will be held this Sunday, August 17 at Tanks Arts Centre from 5.30pm. Tickets at the door.

Share this article