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2022 Toyota Star Maker Grand Finalist Billie-Jo Porter has taken the long way round to releasing her debut self-titled album – but boy has it been worth the wait.

On the back of a bathroom stall in Canada, Billie-Jo found something that would change her life forever. “I remember seeing a poster for a Yoga festival,” explains the singer-songwriter. “When I saw that poster, I didn’t know why or how, I just knew that I was going to that festival. I hadn’t bought a ticket, and didn’t have the funds to get one, but I just knew I was going to go.”

Attend the festival, she did – as a volunteer, with a sweet AAA pass. ”I just had to do a couple of shifts in exchange for access to all the workshops,” she laughs. It was there that she realised her true path. ”I remember attending one of the talks and having an epiphany where I finally got quiet enough to listen to the voice inside me that reminded me that music was my true calling, where I could do the most good.”

Since then, Billie-Jo has returned to Australia and released five charting singles, working alongside superstar producer Shane Nicholson. Five songs glowing with Billie-Jo’s signature positivity and joy, backed by a contemporary rootsy sound. These singles are just a taste of the 12-track, eponymously titled, Billie-Jo Porter.

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If you haven’t guessed by now, Billie-Jo is a firm believer in the power of positivity. “As I geared up to record my album, I couldn’t help but wonder – what if this was my only shot at leaving a musical mark on the world? I quickly realized that I wanted to have fun, spread happiness and infuse some pure joy into people’s lives!” recalls Billie-Jo. “So, I decided to ditch the heartbreak tunes, the “you did me wrong” tracks, and the “screw you” songs.”

Groovy bops like ‘Feels Like Us’, ‘More Than Friends’ and ‘Play it Cool’ explore the highs of fledgling romance, while cruisy tunes ‘Eyes Wide Open’, ‘All We Need’ and the reggae inspired ‘Like Bob Said’ focus on the merits of living in the moment and keeping it simple.

Billie-Jo’s freshman offering revolves strongly around mindfulness and optimism; consistently reminding listeners to take stock of their situation and prioritise the good against the bad. Yet, the album is not without its more challenging subjects on ballads ‘Las Vegas’ and ‘Last Leaves of Autumn’. The former explores homelessness and hardship whilst the latter deals with the all-too-common grief associated with unexpected death.

When Billie-Jo takes the stage, her energy is the perfect match for her joyous repertoire. “I’m beyond stoked to be hitting the road in Australia to show off my fresh new album! Seeing everyone and bringing this music to life in person is going to be the highlight of my year. Let’s get wild, let’s get crazy, and let’s have the time of our lives!”

Billie Jo Porter’s debut offering evokes strong feelings of joy and positivity yet is an intimate look into the mind of the artist. While many of the tracks convey uplifting messages, they’re also heavily introspective, encouraging listeners to evaluate their own lives and make positive changes. It’s an incredibly unique and provocative release – a gift from an artist with no ego, simply sharing her music in hopes of making the world a better place.

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SHOW DATES:

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AMNPLIFY – DB