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BRENDA CHAPMAN is a singer/songwriter based in Fremantle, Western Australia who writes to express the heartfelt stories from her own colourful life. She delivers her engaging storytelling with big, soulful vocals and a unique Earthy guitar style. Brenda is often referred to as “The Queen of the Chorus” for her captivating melodies. She has studied music in West Africa and has been influenced by African rhythms as well as Celtic, Middle Eastern, and other World Music themes. Her lyrics are fresh, couragous and deeply poetic. The combination of these diverse qualities result in a musical style that draws on many folk/roots traditions but has enough raw creativity to keep it refreshingly contemporary.

HISTORY: Brenda grew up in a large, musical family in NSW where she learned to sing and play guitar from her older siblings. At the age of 20 she was invited to join her first Pop/Folk group and then went on to play in a number of cover bands, folk groups and duos on the East Coast of Australia before moving to Western Australia seven years later. Once based in Fremantle, Brenda became inspired to write and perform her own material. She also became the Musical Director of “Go Vocal” a cappella group “Marakadon” African drumming ensemble, and more recently, the 70 strong “Inner-Voices” world music choir, who launched their debut EP “Inner-voices Sing Out” in October 2007. Brenda has spent much of the last four years handcrafting and producing the 12 tracks for her own debut album “Postcards from Exile” that will be launched in August 2008.

DEBUT ALBUM: “Post Cards From Exile” is produced by David Hyams (Miles To Go Band) who also plays some very impressive acoustic and electric guitar, dobro, and mandolin parts on the recording. The awesome Ben Franz (The Waifs) is featured on upright and electric bass, and is joined by the talents of Calvin Web on drum kit. Arun (Blue Shaddy) adds some magic touches with his tasteful hand percussion and many of the tracks are finished off with tight vocal harmonies sung by Isabella Jennings (Isabella's Garden) and/or David Hyams. The album covers a wide range of moods and comprises of 12 tracks that range from earthy acoustic folk ballads like “The Ballad of Andrew Mallard” and “My Mother the Musician” through to heartfelt love songs like “Sweet Time”. There is the timeless Blues lament “If you see me Crying” as well as some quirky, up-beat, contemporary songs like “Turn Out the Light" and “Dreams in a Tea Cup”.

POST CARDS FROM EXILE CD LAUNCH is at Kulcha in Fremantle @ 8 pm on Friday August 22nd. Tickets $15. For further CD launch details and tickets visit Kulcha http://www.kulcha.com.au/calendar.html

And for more information about Brenda - visit www.brendachapman.com