SONGBROKER ARTIST PROFILE: Q & A with Tamsyn Miller AKA Chess Countess

When did you realise you wanted to make music?

When I was 10 years old and I heard "Candy" by Mandy Moore - I knew, then, that music is what I wanted to do, haha!

Name two major musical influences and why?

Jessie J - She is an exceptional songwriter and vocalist. She is always challenging herself and never settles for average. She never records anything she can't perform live and never stops working at her craft.

Sia - She writes really quirky songs and, yet somehow, manages to keep them really simple and straight to the pop music structure. She knows the pop formula and always blows me away with her creativity. I want to always be pushing the boundaries like that, without pushing too far beyond the pop music genre.

What do you find most challenging about the creative process?

Writing a good hook. Being catchy is a lot harder than you'd think!

What do you want people to take away from your music?

I want them to be inspired to be the best they can be and to find comfort in knowing they're not alone in whatever they're going through. I want to tell them that it's ok to be themselves and to celebrate life! 

What’s in the pipeline for 2016?

I'm moving to London in March to pursue my performance career over there. I'm super excited!