Ricki-Lee is the 2023 headlining artist for the Granny Smith Festival, performing on the main stage at 7.00pm. We asked Ricki-Lee a few questions to get to know her a little better before the big show.
What made you fall in love with music?
I just always gravitated to music over anything else. I found it amazing that there was a song for every mood or feeling or thing you might be going through and from a young age it was how I learned to express myself.
I found a lot of meaning in lyrics and songs seemed to give me the answer to a lot of questions I had. I have a very musical family, so I was always surrounded by music. There was nothing I ever wanted to do but music… I knew from a really young age I wanted to be an artist. There's no greater feeling than being on a stage, performing for people and making them feel good, or sad, or retrospective…whatever it may be.
What do you do in your spare time?
I love watching F1 and UFC… I love cooking for my friends and family and I very much enjoy a lazy day on the couch being an absolute sloth in my robe and not doing a thing!
What is your go to karaoke song?
Simply the Best or You're the Voice!
What is your favourite song you've released so far?
I would say that On My Own is the song of my life. It's the song I've been trying to write for 20 years and is everything I ever wanted to say in a song! It's a song about struggle and resilience and never giving up.
Do you speak another language?
I learnt Italian in school for 12 years and I used to be able to speak it very well, but I have unfortunately lost that ability… but I can still follow and understand it a bit. I wish I stuck with it so I could speak Italian fluently. We went to Italy on our honeymoon and I tried to speak Italian as much as I could but very quickly realised how little I remembered!
What do you look forward to most about performing at the 2023 Granny Smith Festival?
I'm so excited to get up there and perform for everyone with my band! It's going to be a wonderful day and I hope I can be the cherry… or shall we say…apple on top of a great family day out! I'll be performing some of my songs mixed with some of my all time favourite songs that everyone knows and loves… so everyone has to bring their singing voices and dancing shoes 'cos we are gonna have FUN!
One message you would give to your fans?
I honestly just want to say that every day I am grateful for their love and support! For almost 20 years I've been able to do what I love and make music. That's all I ever wanted to do when I was a kid so my life is literally a dream come true, and it's all because of you!
What is your favourite apple?
Granny Smith… obviously!
Do you have a pre-performance ritual?
I always do my own hair and make up, it's very much part of getting in the zone… I find it very relaxing. I don't like to eat anything too close to a performance because there's nothing worse than feeling your dinner bouncing around your tummy while you're up on stage! So dinner is usually a couple of hours before I perform. Thirty minutes before the show, I get into my costume and warmup my voice.
