By Emily-Rose Toohey
This year’s Jumpers and Jazz in July recruited The Voice Australia alumna Angela Fabian to perform at various events last week, wowing locals and tourists alike with her powerful vocals.
But before moving to Australia 17 years ago, Angela was born in the US and said she was raised singing in gospel choirs and performing at talent shows, before joining an all-female band.
In a world where live music is just now making a comeback since the Covid-19 pandemic, Angela said she was excited to travel.
“During the lockdown, it was a bit depressing,” she said.
“I was in a rut and started getting used to shows getting cancelled, and didn’t think that music would get off its feet – I was so used to working a lot.”
Now she’s back performing in front of live audiences like Warwick, which included two nights at St Mary’s Community Hall and a stint outside the Town Hall stage on the weekend.
But before taking the town by storm, Angela had her big break as a contestant on season nine of The Voice Australia in 2020, which she said was an enjoyable experience where she met good people.
“I wasn’t big on the show but said that I’d wait and audition when I turned 50, so I did,” she said.
“But due to the shutdown, it was more difficult to capitalise off the show.”
In terms of performing, Angela said she didn’t care whether she was singing for one or hundreds of people.
“As long as my gift touches people and makes them happy,” she said.
She successfully accomplished this last week, singing soul ballads and jazz tunes from icons like Aretha Franklin and Otis Redding for festival-goers.
“It (Jumpers and Jazz) was such a good gig,” Angela said.
“I heard about it years ago from some of my followers and was approached to do it last year.”
But what’s next for Angela?
She’s collaborating with a few other musos and working on different music – a second album.
“It’ll be more covers,” she said.
“Now that everybody in the industry’s rolling it’s hard for me to be buckled down.
“I haven’t travelled for ages and I love it, it’s a lot of fun for me now.”
You can follow Angela on her Instagram (angela.fabian_) and for more Jumpers and Jazz in July performances, be sure to head down to Palmerin Street this weekend for the 2022 festival’s last hurrah.
