When she’s not driving trucks in the mines, Gemma Kirby’s life is all about country music. Releasing her latest album,Semi-Precious last year, her unique sound has piqued the ears of some of the industry’s best, including Adam Brand, who has recently announced her as the support act for his 2017 Get On Your Feet tour.

In this interview with Jackie Smith, Kirby talks about what this opportunity means to her, her latest single, Deceiving Eyes, and why the best is yet to come.

Congratulations on being announced as the support act for Adam Brand’s Get On Your Feet tour in 2017. How did that come about?

I met Adam in Tamworth earlier this year and started chatting to him about my music. When I released my latest single Deceiving Eyes he was really supportive of it and the fact that I was willing to do something a little brave and different and I guess this appealed to him. How lucky am I?!

What are you most looking forward to when you join the tour?

Learning from the best in the business. I have looked up to Adam from a young age. Both personally and professionally, he is a genuine legend! He has always surprised me by his ability to take other artists under his wing and give them a leg up. In the conversations I’ve had with him so far, I can see what a true professional he  is and so passionate about what he does – I’ve learnt so much already!

Before you go on tour with Adam next year, you’ve got a couple of solo gigs and an appearance at Tamworth Country Music Festival to contend with. How will that compare?

I’ve got to get my A game on for the tour and there is no better way to really hone my skills than to just play as much as possible. I’m lucky to be playing at two of the really great local venues  in Tamworth during the Festival – The Post Office Hotel and the Pig & Tinderbox before I hit the stage with Adam for the first time…so it is a big festival for me in 2017!

Do you and Adam plan to be on stage together at any time during the concerts, or is it not something you’ve thought about yet?

We’ve talked about how the show on tour will work and in true Adam Brand style, there will definitely be some pretty cool surprises …

You said in your press release that you were worried about being able to keep up with Adam during the tour, given his fitness levels and the amount of energy he puts into his performances. What are you doing to prepare yourself?

I  am in awe of  his energy and have no doubt that I will feed off it, but I definitely do need to get “match fit” or “Adam Brand” fit! I like to go to the gym as much as possible to keep fit, but I suspect this Get On Your Feet tour  will be more like a dance off than a gym session!

What can fans expect from one of your live performances?

I just love performing and I’ m excited about being able to grow my confidence on stage and show more dimensions of myself and my music on this tour. There will be nothing left on the table when I perform on this tour. For Adam, for his fans and for myself.

What’s your favourite part of performing live and touring in general?

My favourite part is sharing my stories in a very real and authentic form. I wear my heart on my sleeve and have not yet found a filter (which makes my management and publicist cringe at times)  but after a show I get the opportunity to meet amazing some people, from all walks of life and they inspire me to keep going. For all the nights I have to spend kilometres and states from my little farm in Maleny and away from my family, the joy and happiness I get from spreading my music with people makes it all worth it!

Your latest single Deceiving Eyes is quite a confronting song about your sister’s addiction to ice. Were you nervous about releasing a song that was so personal to a wider audience?

This song was incredibly personal, but one that meant so much to me. if by being able to tell my sisters story to a wider audience, meant that I could stop one other young person from choosing to try ice and showing the horrible, yet devastating impact it has on individuals and families, then it was the right thing to do. I am so passionate about this and hope it comes through in my song and video.

The video clip in particular is quite interesting in that it’s the first interactive clip to feature in Australian country music. Can you tell me a bit about it and why you decided on that particular direction?

It was something that my videographer alerted me to,  it had been done before in America, but not in Australia and but fit perfectly for what I was trying to convey. The clip is about “choices” and that the choice to try drugs is yours … so it seemed fit to be able to give people watching the video a choice .. their choice. I am really proud of what we created.

Generally speaking,  what inspires you to write new music?

Everything! I drive trucks on 12 hour shifts  in the mines including long night shifts – so I get lot of time to think and come up with ideas! I also draw on personal experiences a lot when I am writing. I’ve got a whole bunch ready to go for a new album next year….but might just get this tour started first!

Do you prefer the recording process or live performances?

In this industry I think that there are people who love songwriting, being in a studio or performing live shows and for me, I get my kicks from being on stage. I feel like have been preparing my whole life for an oppourtunity like this! I am show off, I started performing by selling my parents tickets to shows in our backyard, that had my mums favourite doona over the swing set to make curtains for my stage and my siblings being bossed around as stage hands and set coordinators. I just love performing live and finding a connection with the audience. Adam has actually spoken to be about this already and how there is no better feeling than connecting with your audience.

Who are your idols, both musically and personally?

This is always a hard question for me because I pull my inspirations from a multitude of genres, but in brief, I am a huge fan of Katy Perry, believe it or not! I have always idolised Adam Brand and remember meeting him when I was 11 but too scared to get a photo! I have also been exposed to a lot of blues music during my childhood, including the likes of Tony Joe White. My greatest Idol and (one of my) biggest fans is my father, Peter Kirby. He has always encouraged me to chase my dream and I love the connection we have through music.

What does music (and country music as a genre) mean to you?

Music is my life. You can walk into my house and know what I am feeling because I express myself and my inner feelings through songs. I fell in love with country music after my Aunty Liz bought me my first cassette of Shania Twain. This woman got me excited about country music! For the first time I felt free to talk about all of the issues and worries I had growing into a young adult and that is my I can relate to a lot of people through words because it is unapologetic and completely honest.

What’s the biggest misconception people have in regards to making a career in the music business?

I think there are a lot of misconceptions around making a career in the music business. In particular, things have changed so much with technology and social media. You obviously need talent to succeed, but having smart, savvy people around you looking for unique opportunities to help you succeed in a crowded industry is crucial. Also, knowing your own path.  My path is different to many in my industry, but that’s ok, because that’s’ the path I believe in and the path that will hopefully make me stand out from the rest.

What are some of the highlights and lowlights of your career thus far?

I would have to say that the highlight of my career so far is definitely what’s coming up. Being able to go on tour with one of the biggest names in Australian Country Music and be mentored and guided by him – right now can’t be beaten! I like to stay positive when it comes to my career..sometimes you get deflated over things that don’t happen as you hoped they would, but I do believe that when one door closes another one opens.

What do you do when you aren’t touring or recording new music?

Apart from working in the mines, I love spending time with my family. I have a supportive fiancé and his two young children and we just bought a farm, so we are busy working on that together – plus my own family are my rock.

What are the top three songs you’re listening to?

I am going to be completely dorky and actually check my itunes recently played …

1: Set In Stone – Guy Sebastian,

2: Get On Your Feet – Adam Brand – obviously I have a lot of practice ahead of me!

3. You Oughta Know – Alanis Morissette

What’s the epitome of success for you?

I have no idea! And that’s the honest truth… I sit down all the time and review my business plan and strategy and get stuck on this all the time. As long as I am able to share my passion and music with people and it makes me happy, I am successful!

What’s the best and worst piece of advice you’ve ever received in relation to your musical career?

Be you, because everyone else is already taken.

What advice would you give to aspiring musicians?

Don’t be scared to work outside of the box! They are guidelines not rules!