We chatted to Australian artist Katy Tunbridge, a highly accomplished singer-songwriter, musician, and producer whose latest album, Skin Deep, released on October 11, 2024, has been making waves globally. Katy’s standout track ‘Lying Through Your Teeth’ earned her a nomination at the Hollywood Independent Music Awards in the Alternative category. With over 30 years in the music, TV, and film industries, Katy has collaborated with industry giants like Bruce Watson (Foreigner), Peewee Hill (Sly Stone), and Grammy–nominated producer Billy Smiley. Her music, inspired by legends like The Beatles, Sting, and Pink, blends pop rock, alt-pop, and alt-R&B, drawing comparisons to Sheryl Crow and Gwen Stefani. Hailing from Australia and now based in Los Angeles, Katy’s rich musical heritage, including a cousin who once opened for The Beatles, has fueled her journey through iconic music hubs like New York and Nashville. Alongside crafting music in world-class studios, Katy also dedicates time to helping fellow artists with distribution, publishing, and social media, cementing her reputation as a creative force who inspires both audiences and peers alike.
Read our interview with Katy and stream Skin Deep below.
Set the tone for us. Why the arts?
Ever since I was little, I’ve always leaned towards the creative side of life. My mum was a wonderfully creative soul, and our home was constantly filled with music. Some of my fondest memories are of us going for long drives, the car filled with melodies as we sang along or made up our own songs. I’ll never forget those days. Also growing up, I was incredibly shy. I often found it hard to express myself in the usual ways. But music was different—it was my safe space, my voice when words failed me. It was through music that I began to emerge from my shell, finding confidence and a way to share my innermost thoughts and feelings. The arts, and music in particular, have been my constant companions, guiding me through life’s ups and downs. They have given me a platform to express who I am and connect with others in ways I never thought possible.
Which comes first when you’re producing – the sound or the idea?
It depends on the day, both. Sometimes I’ll pick up the guitar and vibe on some chords and then I’ll get a feeling and an emotion, then the idea and lyrics come pretty quickly after. I have gone into a session with just an idea of how I think a song should sound and develop it from there.
Does your material feature any collaborations?
Yes I co-wrote and co-produced my Album Skin Deep with Billy Smiley.
What’s on your current playlist?
Teddy Swims, Michael Franti, India Arie, Cleo Sol, Sia, Inna Vision, Joss Stone and many more.
Tell us about the chemistry you have with your fans on stage.
When I’m on stage, it’s all about having fun and keeping things chill with my fans. I love chatting with the audience and getting them involved in the performance. It’s like we’re all just hanging out together, enjoying the music and the moment.
What techniques do you experiment with to get your original sound?
To create my original sound, I love drawing inspiration from the bands I grew up with. I always think about the instruments I want to use, drums, guitar, keys and bass etc. I also really love fretless bass so I’ve used it in a few of my tracks including ‘Lying Through Your Teeth’ which was played by the amazing Gary Lunn (Dolly Parton). I have a roster of phenomenal musicians I use for different tracks depending on the feel & vibe of the song. Peewee Hill is another great Bass player that I’ve put on a couple of tracks including ‘Follow The Flow’ and ‘Baby Love (Instrumental)’.
Take us through a day in the recording studio.
A typical day in the studio starts with a strong cup of coffee and a quick meditation session to get into the creative zone. I then dive into songwriting, recording, and experimenting with different sounds… I could be working on a collaboration or delving into my own productions, it’s always fun.
Was there a specific moment in your life where you thought, “this is what I want to do”?
Yes 100% I’d written a song when I was 10 and was invited to an event to perform it in front of 1500 people, just me, my guitar and a microphone. I performed it and a cover song and I got a standing ovation. It’s something I’ll never forget, I remember saying to myself in that moment “I want to do this forever!”
What do you keep close by while you’re playing a set?
A large bottle of water.
What gets your creative juices flowing?
For me, getting the creative juices flowing often starts with revisiting the music that shaped me. Listening to the bands I grew up with always sparks something inside. It’s like reconnecting with old friends that remind me why I fell in love with music in the first place.
Beyond that, I find inspiration in everyday experiences and the world around me. Sometimes I go for a walk, call a friend and just catch up, or even just have a quiet moment. I often sit outside on my balcony and just let my mind wander, these moments often plant the seeds for new ideas. I also love exploring different forms of art— I used to draw when I was younger and now I get out my pencils and start to draw, also watching a film or tv show can ignite a new direction for my music.
Ultimately, I try to stay open to inspiration wherever it may come from and allow myself to experiment and play with new sounds and ideas.
Take us through your collection of gear, tech or software that accompanies your creative expression.
More often than not it all starts with my guitars. I have a variety, but I usually reach for one of my acoustics to play around with different chords and experiment with riffs. My electric, a Les Paul Studio, is another favorite that adds a different flavor, it’s just so great to play.
When it comes to recording, Logic is my go-to software. Sometimes I’ll find a drum beat or just play to a click track and start laying down ideas. But creativity doesn’t always wait for the perfect setup. If inspiration strikes and I don’t have my gear handy, I grab my phone and start recording melodies vocally, describing how I want the track to sound.
That’s exactly how ‘Living The Dream’ came to life. In January 2020, while staying at The El Patio Inn on Ventura Blvd in Studio City—my favorite area—I was getting ready for a Hollywood party. As I put on my makeup, I was just so happy being back in LA and heard the melody: “Cos I’m living, living, the dream, all these places, places I’ve been, got all these colors, colors in my head.” I quickly recorded it on my phone, then picked up the guitar I’d hired from Guitar Center and wrote the entire song in about 10-15 minutes.
Fast forward to Nashville in 2023, I brought the song to Billy Smiley and decided it had to be on the album, even as a reggae track. He asked for one more verse, which I wrote in about five minutes, then jumped in the booth to lay down a scratch vocal track.
It’s moments like these that remind me of the spontaneity and joy in creating music.
Any side projects you’re working on?
Absolutely, I’m always immersed in writing, and collaboration is a big part of my creative process. I have several solo projects in development, along with some exciting co-writes. One of my recent collaborations was with my good friend Jessica Sirls in Nashville. I’m also working on a track with the talented songwriter and musician Steve Peckman in New York. Additionally, I’m collaborating on a couple of tracks with Peewee & Michiko Hill.
It’s truly inspiring to work with such talented individuals and see how our combined efforts bring something unique to life.
How have you refined your craft since you entered the industry?
Refining my craft has been a lifelong journey that began when I first picked up a guitar at the age of eight. I taught myself initially and was fortunate to learn from some incredible teachers along the way, including the amazing session player Tim Pierce.
I earned my diploma in music production and sound recording while living in New York, where I also mixed live sound in Brooklyn for a few years. My time shadowing Barry Hartglass at Avatar Studios was invaluable, and I even had the chance to sing backing vocals on some tracks. These experiences only fueled my passion to learn as much as I could.
Being in and out of amazing studios in New York, LA, and Nashville has been such a treat. Working with other songwriters and talented session players has significantly influenced my growth as an artist. Plus, hearing all the incredible stories from my cousin, who used to play in a skiffle band in London, has been a source of inspiration.
Breakdown the news for us: what can we expect from you this year?
2025 is gearing up to be incredibly exciting, starting with the World Entertainment Awards on January 31st in Beverly Hills, where I’ve been honored with nominations in four different categories. It’s such an exciting way to kick off the year!
You can also expect new music releases that I’ve been working on, blending different genres and collaborating with some incredible artists, songwriters, and producers. There’s even talk of a possible tour, which I’m really looking forward to, as it means connecting with fans in person across different locations as well as having some great musicians along with me.
Overall, this year is all about creativity, collaboration, and just having fun and enjoying every moment. I’m excited to share this journey with everyone!
Famous last words?
Keep dreaming, keep creating, and never stop believing in yourself and the power of your own unique voice.
Follow Katy Tunbridge:
Website – Instagram – Facebook – X – Soundcloud – Youtube – Spotify
