Marisa Quigley

With 12 years fronting award winning rhythm ‘n’ blues band Chubby Rae & the Elevators, Melbourne based singer/songwriter Marisa Quigley has developed some serious vocal chops. Female Vocalist of the Year at the 2007 Australian Blues Music Awards and semi-finalist in the 2012 International Songwriting Competition, she is unquestionably a self-made songstress and a voice to be reckoned with. Between her blues & roots show on 106.7 PBS fm and her recent appearance on Channel 9’s The Voice, we can expect to hear a lot more from this garrulous chanteuse.

We can all probably only count on one hand the number of times we’ve been truly moved and uplifted by a performance. It’s these rare moments that musicians and fans alike constantly seek out and cherish. It takes a delicate combination of person, poise and performance - but when it’s done right, everyone in that room feels they’ve been a part of something special.

When Marisa Quigley, a.k.a Chubby Rae, engages you from her ‘home on the stage’ you can’t help but get that feeling. Far from delicate, the six-foot tall redhead captivates all with her dynamic presence, hauntingly beautiful vocals and earthy humor. Being at one of her shows is like relaxing in your own lounge room whilst sipping on your favourite brew and being entertained by your new best friend. She will in one breath have you in stitches with her irreverent wit and in the next, move you to tears with her breathtaking lyrical stories.

Although having strong roots in music growing up it wasn’t until her 20’s that Marisa worked up the courage to sing on stage, taking advantage of impromptu opportunities at the many pubs she worked at in the Top End. Growing up in the Northern Territory, Marisa had a brief interlude with all-girl grunge band Bleach with whom she supported iconic 60s rockers The Sweet and Ed Keuper from The Saints. But it wasn’t until moving to Victoria and forming blues band Chubby Rae & the Elevators with guitar maker Jim Dyson, that Quigley really found her feet. It was in this solid foundation of raunchy, up-beat rhythm ‘n’ blues that Marisa truly found her voice and developed her passion and flair.

Once tagged “possibly the blackest white woman since Janis Joplin” by Forte Magazine, Marisa has used this strong grounding in powerhouse blues belting to develop the soulful, unique style that is unmistakably hers today. Her voice drips raw honey from the mottled grain of rough cut timber, washed down with a splash of spiced rum. Her songs are a testament to a life well lived. Some tell the dark and desperate tales of murderers, gypsies and slaves, others are full of purpose and meaning while many are just a darn tootin’ barrel o’ fun.

Marisa come a long way since the days of the singing barmaid in the rough and tumble Territory. She has sung with Ash Grunwald, Dallas Frasca and Suzannah Espie and has done supports for the likes of Mia Dyson, Sarah Carroll, Neil Murray and Nick Barker. She also makes up a quarter of blues/gospel outfit The Gospel Belles along with Kerri Simpson, Kelly Auty and Diana Wolfe. “I’ll never forget seeing Kerri Simpson sing at the Sleepy Hollow Blues Club in Geelong when I first moved down from Darwin. I was such a fledgling. I sat in front of her, cross-legged, mouth akimbo, absolutely agog and in awe. To now be actually doing gigs with her is pretty bloody amazing! Man I have fun with those girls”

She has sung on albums for Brian Fraser and Dave Steel and has more recently been working with guitar virtuoso Shannon Bourne (Tex Perkins, The Black Sorrows). “I love collaborating with other musicians,” says Quigley. “It really helps you learn and grow as an artist. You develop a real comeraderie and form lasting friendships, it’s pretty special.” Marisa shares a healthy Tom Waits obsession with good friend and fellow blues lover Ash Grunwald - Nighthawks at the Diner was Quigley’s first Waits album and the name of her blues & roots show on PBS fm. Ash was rapt to be asked to play on Marisa’s tribute to Tom Waits, It’s Two a.m., a track from her debut solo album.

The 2011 self-titled release saw Marisa’s writing rise to new heights. No longer confined to the blues genre and with some rudimentary guitar skills under her belt, her solo career has sparked the makings of a perceptive and sophisticated songwriter. Sing Me a Lullaby, her favourite track from the album, made her a semi-finalist in the 2012 International Songwriting Competition and the lovelorn ballad, Does He Want Me, was included in Australian blues & roots compilation, Blues Explosion Vol. 3. The album opened at No. 1 in the Blues & Roots Music: Australian Radio Charts.

Preparing to launch her second solo album, Gypsy’s Lament in June 2013, Quigley is content. “It’s nice to be able to say that I like my songs and I’m really happy with what I’ve accomplished. Many of the songs on this album are about very significant people in my life and it’s a real honour to be able to