What's love got to do with it?
Annabel Woodward
Community News
Singer/songwriter Deborah Hocking says the most significant relationship in her life is with her music.
"It's been a thorny relationship, but a good one," the 29-year-old contemporary folk musician joked last week.
The former East Keilor resident, who is employed as a psychologist in the community mental health sector in psycho-social rehabilitation programs, said much of the inspiration on her debut solo album Stage was drawn from people she worked with.
"I get a of lot of inspiration from my work," Ms Hocking said.
"I find people's courage very inspiring and the song Stage is about a client I used to work with -- it's basically her story."
Ms Hocking started singing and playing classical guitar as a teenager and tends to steer clear of writing love songs.
The former band member turned solo performer said her songs were based on reflections on the relationship with herself and with others.
Her songs are usually borne from a phrase or a thought, followed by the development of a song.
"The original idea will usually come as a lyric or a phrase, and then I'll work on a tune for the words," Ms Hocking said.
"It depends on what the song dictates to me. But generally I find it easier to write the words than the melody."
Ms Hocking won the solo female category at this year's Mortlake Buskers Festival and was a finalist in the Dandenong Ranges Folk Festival Songsmith Award.
She has also been invited to perform at the Woodford Festival in Queensland. Ms Hocking will play at The Central Club in Richmond on August 17.