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Interview with
ELLA HOOPER
from
KILLING HEIDI

Interview by Dave Bruce

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Watch the full interview below:

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When it comes to Australian music icons, few names carry the energy and legacy of Killing Heidi. Since bursting out of Violet Town, Victoria, in the late ‘90s, Ella Hooper and her brother Jesse have carved out an unmistakable space in the national music landscape. From their explosive debut in 1996, to their meteoric rise around the turn of the millennium, to the reflective return in 2016, the band has lived through cycles of fame, hiatus, and rebirth.

I recently had the pleasure of sitting down with Ella Hooper to talk not only about the band’s incredible 25-year journey but also about their latest venture with Wild Turkey’s Music 101 program, their mentoring of up-and-coming artists, and the stunning 25th anniversary reissue of their ARIA-winning debut album, Reflector.

Killing Heidi: From Violet Town to the World

When asked to sum up Killing Heidi’s story, Ella laughed and described it as “folk rock, many multi-influence band from Violet Town… a little band from the country that kind of exploded.” By the early 2000s, Killing Heidi had gone from high school demos to topping charts, winning multiple ARIAs, and touring the world. But success at such a young age also came with challenges.

“We were burnt out by our early 20s,” Ella admitted. “But these last few years, being back together has felt like a never-ending reunion tour – and that’s been such a gift.”

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Mentorship, Wild Turkey & Giving Back

Ella’s passion for nurturing new talent shines through in Killing Heidi’s collaboration with Wild Turkey’s Music 101. The initiative is giving five emerging acts the chance to open for Killing Heidi on a special national pub tour, while also receiving mentorship from Ella and Jesse.

“It was hard choosing the acts,” she confessed. “The talent is so strong right now. But we picked bands we thought were ready to make the most of the opportunity, and musically would complement our set.”

The tour will also feature a unique twist: fans voted on classic Aussie pub rock anthems, and Killing Heidi will be performing three of them alongside their mentees each night. “We’re getting down and dirty in the pubs,” Ella smiled. “That’s where we started, and that’s where most great bands cut their teeth.”

The chosen emerging artists—Piper Butcher, Serendipiti, Jamie Lamont, Norwood Band, and one late addition—will also receive studio time, industry introductions, and merchandise support. “Mentoring is so important,” Ella said. “We didn’t really have that, so giving back now feels really special.”

Reflector at 25 – A Vinyl First

For fans of Killing Heidi, the jewel in the crown this year is the 25th anniversary vinyl reissue of Reflector.

Originally released in 2000, Reflector never made it to vinyl. Now, fans can finally hold a deluxe double gatefold edition, complete with B-sides, unreleased demos, revamped artwork, and striking coloured vinyl.

“Listening back to those teenage demos was surreal,” Ella reflected. “It was like rediscovering our high school selves – grungy, raw versions of the songs that became Reflector.”

Expect to hear much of Reflector performed live during the pub tour, alongside those fan-voted classics.

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Advice for the Next Generation

As someone who has lived through the highs, lows, and cycles of the music industry, Ella was eager to share advice for today’s emerging artists:

Highlight your uniqueness. “It’s harder than ever to stand out, so you need to figure out your unique twist – and really distill it.”

Be authentic. “Audiences can spot authenticity a mile away, and that’s what resonates.”

Focus on performance. “Social media comes and goes, but if you blow someone’s mind live, they’ll spread the word. That’s how super-fans are born.”

What’s Next?

With the Wild Turkey Music 101 tour, mentoring, and the Reflector anniversary reissue, Killing Heidi are celebrating their legacy while championing the future of Australian music.

As Ella put it: “At this stage of my career, I’m just happy to keep making music and to give something back. Any response is a bonus, because it’s all service. You’re serving the world with what you create.”

For longtime fans and newcomers alike, this is the perfect moment to reconnect with one of Australia’s most important bands.

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Catch Killing Heidi on tour, support the new wave of emerging artists, and don’t miss the chance to own Reflector on vinyl for the very first time.

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Follow KILLING HEIDI
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Watch the full interview below:

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About WILD TURKEY

The distillery for Wild Turkey Bourbon is located in Kentucky, situated on a deep limestone shelf on the Kentucky River. The shelf acts as a natural filter and provides the distillery with crystal clear water, vital to making such a high-quality product. Wild Turkey features the legendary father and son Master Distilling team of Jimmy and Eddie Russell, who have nearly 100 years of collective experience working at the Wild Turkey distillery. The famous Wild Turkey brand name first came about back in 1940 when distillery executive Thomas McCarthey took a few warehouse samples on a wild turkey hunting trip with a group of friends. The following year, his friends asked him for “some of that wild turkey whiskey” and the brand was born. Wild Turkey is distilled and put into new oak barrels at a much lower ABV than most bourbons. This results in a much richer flavour, as less is cooked out during the production process. Ageing in the highest quality new American oak barrels with the heaviest char available (the Number 4 “alligator” char) imparts a smooth flavour and deep amber colour to the whiskey. The barrels are filled at the distillery in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky. Website: wildturkeybourbon.com 

About the Campari Group

Davide Campari-Milano N.V., together with its affiliates (“Campari Group”), is a major player in the global beverage sector, trading in over 190 nations around the world with leading positions in Europe and the Americas. Campari Group was founded in 1860 and today is the sixth-largest player worldwide in the premium spirits industry. Campari Group’s portfolio, with over 50 brands, spans spirits (the core business), wines, and soft drinks. Its internationally renowned brands include Aperol®, Appleton Estate®, Campari®, SKYY®, Wild Turkey®, and Grand Marnier®. Headquartered in Sesto San Giovanni, Italy, Campari Group owns 22 plants worldwide and has its own distribution network in 22 countries. Campari Group employs around 4,000 people. The shares of the parent company, Davide Campari-Milano N.V. (Reuters CPRI.MI – Bloomberg CPR IM), have been listed on the Italian Stock Exchange since 2001. For more information: www.camparigroup.com. Please enjoy our brands responsibly.

Campari Group is a contributor to DrinkWise Australia, an independent, not-for-profit organisation focusing on helping to bring about a healthier and safer drinking culture in Australia. Please see more information on https://drinkwise.org.au.

Please enjoy our brands responsibly.

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Press Release 13th August 2025 (below) HERE

WILD TURKEY MUSIC 101
offers five artists
the chance to join
KILLING HEIDI
on National Tour with the
ultimate pub gig prize

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Tour Dates & Locations:

Commercial Hotel, South Morang, VIC – Friday 22nd August
Hound & Stag, Arundel, QLD – Saturday 23rd August
Ettamogah Hotel, Kellyville Ridge, NSW – Thursday 28th August
Racehorse Hotel, Ipswich, QLD – Friday 29th August
Toronto Hotel, Lake Macquarie, NSW – Saturday 30th August

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AMNPLIFY – DB