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Gypsy soul, Billie-Jo Porter, is pure sunshine. The singer-songwriter’s rootsy sound flirts with Country, Americana and Indie Folk to create music that heals.
Chasing thrills around North America on a shoestring budget, Billie-Jo spotted a poster for a Canadian yoga festival, and the wheels of change began to turn. “When I saw that poster, I didn’t know why or how, I just knew that I was going to that festival”.
She landed a gig as a volunteer and with it, an all-access pass. ”I just had to do a couple of shifts in exchange for access to all the workshops,” she laughs. “I finally got quiet enough to listen to the voice inside me that reminded me music was my true calling, where I could do the most good.”
Growing up in Quirindi, NSW – a stone’s throw from the nation’s Country Music Capitol, Tamworth – Billie-Jo was a regular at the renowned Tamworth Country Music Festival. Soon entranced by the stories of Country legends like Willie Nelson and Brooks and Dunn, as well as the irresistible hooks of world-class songwriters, Carole King and Joni Mitchell, Billie-Jo began finding her sound.
However, before music could take centre stage in her life, Billie-Jo took a job at a ski resort, and a love of snowboarding ensued. “I was hooked, I had the goggle tan from hell and I loved it!” She began chasing the snowy slopes around the globe, spending a season at a resort in Salt Lake City, USA, before gravitating towards Canada.
Flash forward several years, after her yoga-induced revelation, the singer-songwriter returned to Australia’s sunny shores to begin work on her debut album, Billie-Jo Porter. She enlisted the ears and mind of Alt-Country heavyweight, Shane Nicholson, in the producer’s seat and together they crafted the single, Feels Like Us.
Her freshman release led to numerous accolades – semi-finalist in the International Songwriting Competition, TSA New Songwriter of the Year finalist and finalist in Unsigned Only. It debuted at #15 on the CountryTown Hot 50 national airplay chart and earned her a finalist place in the prestigious Toyota Star Maker Competition.
Multiple charting singles followed, as well as invitations to co-writes with some of Australia’s finest – including one with Andrew Swift, which bred the super-hit Head Full of Honey.
A near-constant touring schedule emerged, including support slots for Thirty Merc, Tim Freedman and The Sunny Cowgirls as well as festivals: Boots & Beach, Tamworth Country Music Festival and Bello Winter Music Festival.
In early 2023, Billie-Jo’s self-titled opus arrived, radiating with jangly guitars and 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 realised that I wanted to have fun, spread happiness and infuse some pure joy into people’s lives!”
It quickly climbed to #4 on the ARIA Country Albums chart and featured as ABC Country’s Album of the Week.
Groovy bops like More Than Friends and Play it Cool explore the highs of young 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.
Yet, the album is not without its tougher 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.
Billie Jo Porter’s music often revels in joy and optimism, yet remains deeply introspective – an apt embodiment of the dynamic songwriter. Her contemplative songwriting has one mission: to make the world a brighter place.
When?
June 29, 2025 @ 5:00 pm
Where?
The Hoey Moey,
84 Ocean Parade,
Coffs Harbour NSW 2450