Up and coming singer-songwriter Sarah Strahan is gearing up to go head-to-head with other talented youth at this weekend’s Battle of the Bands.
The competition is part of the official opening for the Youth and Community Activities Building on the foreshore.
The 16-year-old has already cut her teeth in the Bunbury Eisteddfod Gala and took out the Fairbridge Quest to perform at Fairbridge Festival.
Sarah, a self-taught guitarist and pianist, told the Mail her lyrics touched on teenage issues but also extended to worldly topics such as equality and gun violence.
“I try not to box myself in to a specific genre – the closest way I’d describe my music is indie folk,” she said.
“There also tends be blues and jazz influences coming through.
“My biggest inspiration is Billy Joel, I just love everything about him – his musicality, chord progression, lyrics, and performance style.”
Battle of Bands will be another big step for the Georgiana Molloy Anglican School student, who releases the film clip for her first single, Criminal, on January 10.
Sarah plans to pursue a career in the music industry after high school.
Her family support her dream, including her father Phil who is helping produce her debut EP at his Sonup Studios.
“Dad and I have a similar music tastes, and he is really good and respects me when I say this is my song and it needs to sound like this,” she said.
“He sits back and let’s me do it how I want to do it.”
Battle of the Bands heats will be held on January 12 and the final on January 13 from 2pm.
The final will coincide with the offical opening of the building and celebrations will also include hip-hop dance workshop, skateboarding Competition, basketball Competition and art activities.
Youth and Community Activities Building was funded by the City of Busselton and a $2.88 million Lotterywest grant.
The new building will provide a social hub for youth activities and provide a permanent home for the Busselton Surf Life Saving Club.
