Brianna Carpenter loves colour “Blame it on my mother”. It attracts her and inspires her. She seeks it in the clothes she wears, the people she meets, the music she listens to and the music she composes.

Even though Brianna was born completely deaf in one ear she was still fascinated from a young age by music and songwriting. She began to write her own songs at the age of 13 and after writing her first “real” song “The Web” it became apparent that she had a talent that she was definitely going to pursue. Some of her other earlier pursuits also stretched into musical theatre, acting and pantomime, which proved to be a great way to gain invaluable lessons in stage craft.

Brianna is not from an overly musical background but believes her creative flair comes from her mother who is an artist and also worked in the fashion industry as an illustrator. Brianna and her mother also work together on many of the outfits that Brianna likes to wear on and off stage.

In 2004 Brianna travelled mostly solo around Europe with her trusty guitar “Rufus” to get some life experience and to take herself out of her comfort zone. She was inspired by many different characters she met some of who turned up in later song lyrics. Then in 2005 back in Oz Brianna began a degree in Popular Music at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music which gave her valuable knowledge about recording and production which she likes to get heavily involved in. During this time Brianna kept on gigging and songwriting. She was shortlisted into the top 10 of the Australian Spirit of Youth Awards along with Kisschasy, Wolf and Cub and Princess One Point Five.

2006 saw Brianna shortlisted into the top 5 of the Queensland Rockit Awards and in 2007 Brianna was placed 3rd in the Barsoma Singer Songwriter Search. Later in 2007 Brianna thought she’d give Aussie Idol a go and she was selected into the Top 12 of Australian Idol. This gave her an opportunity to air one of her most popular songs “Jacqueline” which got very good feedback from the public.

2008 took Brianna into different territory as she was invited to be the Ambassador for the Statewide Butterfly Appeal charity fundraiser for the Hear and Say Centre which helps profoundly deaf children learn to hear and speak. Her song “Hush” was written for this charity. When she again helped this charity in 2009 Brianna donated all proceeds from downloads of “Hush” to The Hear and Say Centre.

Later in 2008 Brianna’s song “Jacqueline” was chosen as a finalist for the QSong “People’s Choice Award”. Then in December “Black Keys” and “Lies” put Brianna into the final 5 of the Pop category in the MusicOz Awards. Brianna was once again recognised for her songwriting potential in 2009 when she was shortlisted to receive an Apra Professional Development Award. She has also been enjoying opportunities to do arrangements for choirs in Sydney. 2009 also saw Brianna working more with her newly formed four piece band performing in a range of live music venues as well as Masterclasses in schools, Apple instore appearances, and at The Queensland Poetry Festival.

During 2008 Brianna also completed her music degree and independently funded her debut album “Harlequin” which contains an interesting mix of songs on a 15 track album. Her sound would best be described as Alternative Folk/Pop with perhaps a slight bit of Alt Country thrown in here and there. The album is full of difference and colour as the title would suggest. This was her baby which she nurtured with the help of producer Brendan Anthony who has worked with the likes of INXS, Midnight Oil, Wendy Mathews and also George, Wheatus and The Ten Tenors.
The Album is a result of almost 10 years of Brianna’s songwriting and she has many more still to record.

So now with her music degree completed and an album already recorded and many more songs and gigging opportunities popping up Brianna is fired up and on a roll.