QUEENSLAND country artist Seleen McAlister has embarked on a new musical journey with a fresh album and plenty of opportunities in the making.
“Follow The Journey” sees McAlister staying upbeat and positive with a variety of situations and conversations sparking the original tracks.
Three of the tracks on “Follow The Journey” will already be familiar to listeners, with singles including “She's Getting Stronger”, “On The Inside” and “Pink Umbrella” in circulation and enjoying high rotation on radio and the Country Music Channel.
Simon Johnson of Hillbilly Hut is at the helm with Seleen McAlister, co-producing with fellow singer-songwriter Drew McAlister. Seleen has written with some of Australia's top songwriters including Allan Caswell, Mike Carr and her co-producer, Drew.
“Square Peg Girl” is her favourite and is an open letter to her 15-year-old daughter, Eliza.
“I wrote this song with Allan and Drew and a special mention to Lisa Scelzi for her inspiration,” McAlister said.
I've Got You is another of McAlister's favourites about facing the world with the one you love.
“This rings very true for me having my husband, Jason, by my side every step of the way and I'm pleased I get to perform this song as a duet with my good buddy Drew,” she said.
Another stemmed from a serious car accident Seleen was involved in, “She's Watching From Above”, which also pays tribute to singer-songwriter Karl Broadie who lost his short battle with cancer this year. The song was written the day Broadie died and quotes him in the line, 'count your blessings, not your troubles'. “We were writing it about second chances,” McAlister said.
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The singer-songwriter said it was important for her to stay true to herself on the album, but also to continue her journey. “I love to sing about my life and this album reflects that,” she said.
“They are stories about love and life and the world today and they're real; that's all I can be. I'd love listeners to escape with the album for 30 to 40 minutes on a journey. I want my fans to take a little of me away with them, to tap their feet, listen to the lyrics and, most of all, to have a little fun.”
New and continuing sponsorship deals are supporting her journey. McAlister has inked a deal with Linemac Toyota of Biloela that includes a new Prado vehicle, being the face of their television commercials and the voice of their radio advertisements. Seleen has just been announced as the new Face of exclusive Australian Jewellery Designer LocketInn . LocketInn is also designing Seleen a special limited edition locket to be released for her fans. She has also just taken ownership of a new Cole Clark guitar under an endorsement with the instrument manufacturers.
Seleen has recently penned a sponsorship deal with local fashion boutique Aztec Avenue.
McAlister said she felt a connection with these organisations and appreciated their support of her career. “I am really a person who loves that personal connection when you meet people and sometimes there is an instant mutual friendship and when the opportunity arises to team up together you jump at the chance because you believe in each other,” she said.
McAlister was a finalist in the Country Music Awards of Australia in 2016 in the New Talent of the Year section and was recently named as the Australian Independent Female Vocalist of the Year at the 2016 Southern Stars Awards in Mildura.