Melanie Hornsell
Singer & Songwriter (Sydney, NSW)

Melanie picked up her first guitar at five years of age and began busking when she was only seven. Coming from a very musical family, her radio DJ father and her piano teacher mother were huge inspirations. Melanie grew up performing at festivals and musicals, and was writing and performing her own songs by age 15. After a release on the Northern Exposure compilation CD she was invited onto the bill of Youthfest '98, performing alongside the likes of Grinspoon and Ammonia.

Following her dreams led her to a year gigging in England, France and Ireland. Performance highlights included the 100 Club (where artists from Jimi Hendrix to the Clash played), supporting Eagle Eye Cherry at the Shepherds Bush Empire, and playing Le Fleche D'or in the Artists Quarter in Paris. But one European winter was enough and returning home in 1999, she released her first EP "Don't Know What To Say". The independent release immediately sold out its initial pressing of 2000 copies.

With her three-year residency at Glebe's Excelsior Hotel, Melanie is credited as being at the forefront of Sydney's "Nu-Folk" movement, with intimate performances by a singer-songwriter with a classical guitar. Her second release, the "Magic Mirror" EP was produced by the multi-award winning Garth Porter (ex-Sherbet). "Magic Mirror" consolidated her eclectic rootsy style while allowing her pop sensibilities to shine. Tours to Brisbane, Melbourne, Newcastle and the North Coast in recent months have given Melanie the opportunity to test new material, which will see her back in the studio shortly with Garth Porter. Melanie Horsnell's new album is slated for release later in 2003.

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