Welcome to Episode 217 of Unfiltered and Undiscovered! Join Curly, Rossy, and special guest Big Stu as we dive deep into the world of Australian independent music with singer-songwriter Melanie Gray. From her journey in the Northern Territory to working with industry legends like Gina Jeffreys and Rod McCormack, Mel shares stories behind her songs, her approach to songwriting, and the realities of being a full-time musician. We also chat about the Tamworth Country Music Festival, the challenges of releasing new music in today's industry, and the importance of artist well-being. Whether you're a fan of country, indie, or just love discovering new talent, this episode is packed with laughs, insights, and plenty of music you won't hear on mainstream radio. Melanie Gray, Australian country music, independent artists, songwriting, music podcast, Tamworth Country Music Festival, Gina Jeffreys, Rod McCormack, Big Stew, Curly, Rossy, Braggy, artist interview, music industry, unfiltered and undiscovered, female country rtists, Aussie music, behind the scenes, music discovery, If you enjoyed this episode, please hit LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and SHARE with a friend who needs some new music in their life! Don’t forget to check out our playlists for every song we talk about, and follow Melanie Gray using the links below. Want your music featured? Reach out to us via our socials! ⏱️⏱️VIDEO CHAPTERS⏱️⏱️: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Unfiltered Undiscovered Podcast and Guest Melanie Gray 00:06:36 - Melanie Gray’s Musical Journey: From Sydney to Darwin and Band Beginnings 00:12:49 - Building a Music Career in the Northern Territory: Venues, Covers, and Community 00:19:51 - Songwriting Influences: John Williamson, Graeme Connors, and Australian Country Roots 00:25:55 - Recording with Industry Greats: Studio Experiences and Instrumental Skills 00:32:46 - Touring, Tamworth Festival, and Maintaining Vocal Health as a Performer 00:38:58 - Music Technology Trends: In-Ear Monitors, Silent Stages, and Social Media Challenges 00:45:12 - Promoting Independent Music: Content Creation, Playlists, and Final Thoughts Melanie Gray Website - https://primetimeent.com.au/book-entertainment/find-entertainment/soloist/melanie-gray Instagram -https://www.instagram.com/melaniegrayaustralia/ YouTube -https://www.youtube.com/@melaniegray7538 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/artist/3DBK8SrqBsJSua1Q8Uvvqp?si=9IY0tp6SSoWgGpCsaOZJyA Quotes from the Episode It's so nice to just have a conversation with people that actually love music and care about the industry—I do genuinely feel really honored. - Mel Not many people can say that they make a living out of music—that's a big achievement, you know. - Rossy They gave me my wings and let me figure out how to work a crowd and things like that—it was good. - Mel 👉 Don’t forget to check out our curated playlists spotlighting music with heart, intent, and stories worth hearing. Copyright Disclaimer: "The Unfiltered & Undiscovered Podcast features interviews and showcases with music artists, along with our Mystery Song Deep Dive segment, which is intended solely for educational and entertainment purposes. Any songs discussed or played during the podcast remain the property of their respective copyright owners, and no copyright infringement is intended." ============================================================ Follow our Socials For all of our links- Socials, Platforms and Playlists https://my.linkpod.site/unfiltered Find our playlists on Spotify, Apple Music, Youtube Music and Amazon Music https://unfilteredandundiscovered.com/spotify-playlists-hub/ Thanks for tuning in