Mia can’t wait to play

Sally Poehland
TORQUAY blues musician Mia Dyson says she can’t wait to play at this month’s Queenscliff Music Festival.
“I’m really looking forward to playing my new songs and mixing with such a talented array of musicians in a local festival. And I can’t wait to ride the Blues Train,” Dyson says.
Dyson, who grew up in Torquay, has enjoyed a steady rise to fame in the blues arena since she first picked up a guitar at age 14.
Her rise to stardom began with a nationally televised milestone when she won a 2005 ARIA Award for Best Blues and Roots Album for her second record, Parking Lots.
The other bookend to that red carpet arrival was her invitation to open for one of the blues’ household names, Eric Clapton, across Australia in early 2007.
The gig introduced Dyson to her largest audiences.
However, her private journey to fame started much earlier.
“I’ve been singing professionally since I was about 19 but I’ve loved singing since I was 10 and playing piano since age five,” Dyson explains.
“I came from a musical family who liked to listen to lots of different types of music including Americana, blues and soul.
“My father is a guitar maker and a musician, so he’s always been a great support in my career. Both my parents were encouraging and introduced me to some great music.”
Dyson enjoys playing gigs with her father’s hand-crafted guitars.
“It’s a real thrill to be playing a guitar made by my father,” she says.
“I feel very lucky and very spoilt.”
Dyson says her new album, Struck Down, is about finding a place yet simultaneously feeling lost in the world.
“I think my latest album includes songs that are more mature,” she muses
However, Dyson says festival audiences can look forward to a blend of old and new material.
“I’ll be playing a bunch of songs from my new album as well as some favourites from my previous work,” she says.
The music festival runs from November 23 to 25.