Future Soul Singer Wallace Looks Ahead

When it comes to jazz and soul in Australia, few are on the same level as future soul singer Wellington-born Wallace Gollan, aka Wallace onstage. With her smooth and dusty tone reminiscent of the classic voices before her, it’s a blast from the past with a modern twist that instantaneously hooks you, Martin McConnell writes for Howl & Echoes.

Ahead of her upcoming single and feature at Brisbane’s BIGSOUND conference in September, Howl & Echoes managed to catch up with the singer to chat about her beginnings, influences, upcoming plans, and everything in between.

“My Dad is music mad and he’s a great singer actually,” Wallace says. “He’s a blues man through and through, so he also plays the harmonica. I grew up on Motown, lots of soul and blues. I got into jazz when I was 13 or so. I couldn’t get enough of all those incredible voices, the distinct tones.

“When I first moved to Sydney about four-and-a-half years ago I started just doing cover gigs and then tried to get as many gigs as I could – which is fine and I really miss that, but I’ve realised that I’m finally meant to be doing my own music.

“BIGSOUND is] just such an amazing space to play in front of so many people who can change things for you. Having everyone there and being able to access their knowledge I just think it’s such an amazing time.

“I’ve got [a] song called Raffled Roses coming out, potentially just before BIGSOUND. I’ve got my first headliner in Sydney and we’re going to launch that song then.”

Original article by Martin McConnell, Howl & Echoes, August 15, 2016.