The path of the independent suits Melbourne acoustic songstress Zerafina Zara just fine, writes Jesse Kuch 

IN TODAY'S world of disposable music, it’s only once in a blue moon that you come across an album that you listen to from start to finish and find hard to fault.

Waiting For The Rain by Melbourne independent artist Zerafina Zara is one such album.

Drawing comparisons to acoustic starlets Lucinda Williams and Missy Higgins, Zara’s sultry vocals, poetic lyrics and subtle emotive elements will capture you from the moment you put it in the CD player – a rare thing in today’s music industry.

While she would have no trouble finding her way onto a major label’s roster, Zara has chosen the independent route for many reasons, not least of which is the artistic freedom it gave her with the album’s direction.

"I could take my own with it," she told timeOUT, ahead of her gig at The Green Ant Cantina tomorrow night.

"While you shell out the dollars doing it yourself, you have more control over what you do."

Another reason behind her decision was something not so positive – serious illness kept her from gigging for a number of years.

"I was out of the scene for a while and you really have to be out gigging and having people see you perform," Zara said. "The up-side of it all was that I was able to take a lot of time to write music."

While the four-year journey to complete the album definitely had its hiccups, she had help from some high-powered players to see her through.

Peter Luscombe (who works with Paul Kelly and Rockwiz) produced the record and she received mentoring by US songwriting guru Pat Pattison, whose credits include John Mayer and Gillian Welch.

Jonathon Zion (Pete Murray) and Bill McDonald (Paul Kelly) also help out on
bass duties.

"I used to waitress with Peter Luscombe’s girlfriend many years ago and Pat Pattison came out here to Australia through APRA," she said. "In the end I was really lucky. I got to work with the best in the business, often at mates rates."

She says no matter what the outcome of the release, her time recording it was worth it.

"I had such an amazing experience in the studio, it doesn’t matter what happens from here," she said.

"I’m not sure I’ll ever get an experience like that again."

One thing is for sure, however – Zerafina Zara is a name to watch in Australian music and where she goes from here is only limited by her imagination.

Do yourself a favour and check her out.

>> Zerafina Zara plays at The Green Ant Cantina tomorrow from 9pm. Entry is free with copies of her album Waiting For The Rain available on the night.

Share this article