The epitome of original artist, Rochelle rocks reggae to blues festivals, pop-soul pub standards and jazz clubs. Singer channels positivity, community and freedom in music
Rochelle O’Reilly is pretty handy. Not only does her career as a nurse allow her to help people, her career as a musician allows her to tap an emotional vein, helping people ease their pain and heal. A Kiwi transplant to Perth, Rochelle learnt piano at age nine in rural New Zealand and was a singer from a young age. She began a professional career in Perth in her 20s as the lead female singer in cover band The Worx. The band rocked many packed venues from Perth to Kalgoorlie and back. In 2008 she bought an old keyboard from Cash Converters to add to the band but the instrument unexpectedly unlocked a new door and she began composing original songs. Within a year Rochelle had been nominated for a 2009 WAMI for dance track titled WOW which would end up on her first EP I Don’t Belong Here. Rochelle O’Reilly and The Feel Goods formed in 2013 and two years later released her second EP Mixtures of Love, launched at The Ellington Jazz Club. The single Givin Rite Back was a catchy reggae tune, praising workers who fight for and support our community, which thanks to world events, has taken on a much deeper meaning years later. The song changed Rochelle’s career, giving purpose to her music and creating an emotional blueprint for future writing. After performing in big bands, playing originals in cafes and council events through to a jail cell in Thailand, a new collection of songs has graced Rochelle this year, with such messages and emotions that she hopes are antidotes to the confusion and anger in the world. Songs like Universal Love, Freedom, My World and Ugly Duckling can help us through the journey. Born for the stage and ever ready to perform, Rochelle is a musical storyteller with a presence which draws you into her songs. Not afraid to engage with her audience, she loves to dance and is determined to make every show as close to a party as it can be.
“My newest songs are about community, hope, happiness and freedom. I think people will really be able to relate to those themes, especially now. We all go through horrible things but I believe life is about making the best of what we’ve got.
“I want to use what I have to help make people’s lives better through music and to make my own as loving and compassionate as possible.”
Rochelle is back in the studio working on songs for a new album. You’ll also see her and her band popping up around town playing shows as she returns to the stage.
