Melanie first picked up a guitar at the age of five, learning the classical and flamenco styles of play, and began busking at Manly Beach at the age of ten. By her late teens, she still hadn’t really thought of continuing her music career – she had her heart set on managing Woolworths (supermarket) – until she won a spot on The Northern Composure CD and national songwriting competitions. From there she headed to London for a year, busking on a daily basis and working on her songwriting skills.
Back home, Melanie began her residency at the Excelsior Hotel in Glebe in 2000 and became regarded as one driving forces behind Sydney’s blossoming “NuFolk” movement. Over the years at the Excelsior, Melanie performed with some remarkable artists including Paul Greene, Andy Clockwise, Bertie Blackman, peregrine, Tim Ireland and Wesley Carr, while at the same time played host to many emerging artists, most notably Laura Imbruglia. Her residency continued for 4 years, but there were larger things afoot for the young songstress.
In 2001, Melanie independently released her first EP, Don’t Know What to Say, followed the next year her second EP Magic Mirror (produced by Garth Porter), which was soon picked up by radio across the country and led to Melanie signing with Shock Publishing worldwide. Soon after, Melanie was approached to write songs for popular children’s show The Saddle Club and to score the soundtrack for the film Love in the First Degree.
Source: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Melanie-Horsnell/112438675434921
