By MICHELLE HERBISON
WORKING with the “charismatic and passionate” Ricky Martin taught Geelong star Imogen Brough to “always be professional” while rehearsing and performing.
Brough told the Independent her recent appearance on Channel 9’s The Voice under the guidance of the Latino superstar led to a skyrocketing of her followers on social media.
“I’m honoured to have been a part of it and have $4 million people see me sing. I’ve shown Australia that I’m Imogen Brough and I’m a Celtic pop singer.”
Brough was proud to perform a Celtic song resonating with her unique style before bowing out of the competition.
“Ricky taught me to always remember who you are as an artist and for me that’s Celtic stuff mixed with a bit of pop. He talked about emotion and connecting with the voice which really resonated with me.”
The former Matthew Flinders’ Sweethearts member is now gearing up to perform at Portarlington’s National Celtic Festival on 7 to 10 June.
Festival director Una McAlinden said she was amazed by Brough’s blind audition on the show and immediately thought of giving her a gig at the festival.
“I’d had lots of applications come in but it wasn’t until I saw Imogen on The Voice that I made the connection that it was the same person and I couldn’t believe she had already applied to our festival.”
McAlinden was excited to support a local young talent who was helping to bring Celtic music into the mainstream.
“That’s what we do at our festival, we support people that are passionate about all things Celtic.”
Brough said Celtic festival audiences could expect her originals as well as some favourite covers with the backing of an acoustic band including violin, bass and guitars.
“I’m very excited for this. I’ve gone to the festival nearly every year but never applied.”
Brough said she planned to play at more festivals and at Melbourne and Sydney in coming months.
Her Counting Waves EP, released last year, had reached number six on iTunes Australia’s singer-songwriter section, she enthused.
“I’m getting a great fan base. Everyone’s really appreciating my music.”
