Few voices in Australian music carry the weight, power, and versatility of Melbourne’s Kerri Simpson. Over the decades, Simpson has carved a singular path across blues, gospel, country, swamp rock, and beyond, all while remaining deeply rooted in community and collaboration. From childhood singalongs in the northern suburbs, to busking in Bourke Street Mall, to performing on the Congo Square stage at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, Simpson’s career is as wide-ranging as it is authentic. In this candid conversation, she reflects on her beginnings, her musical influences, and the passion that continues to fuel her ever-evolving artistry.
In the interview, Simpson recalls her early musical life growing up in Melbourne, influenced by her family’s singalongs and later discovering the blues through friends and mentors. She reflects on the formative days of The Five Aces and the Swinging Sidewalks, where she learned to move fluidly between genres—a trait that has defined her career, even if it sometimes confused the industry. Simpson discusses her inspirations, from Bessie Smith to Aaron Neville, and the impact of New Orleans on her voice, style, and spiritual connection to music. She shares stories of supporting Dr. John, recording the ambitious Vodou Songs of the Spirits across Haiti, New Orleans, and Melbourne, and the ongoing vitality of Melbourne’s music community and public radio. Touching on her current band Opalousas, her songwriting approach, and her beloved Epiphone guitar, Simpson reveals an artist driven not by genre boundaries but by authenticity, collaboration, and emotional truth.
Australian Musician editor Greg Phillips was thrilled to sit down with Kerri Simpson at Empire Music Studios in Heidelberg to chat about her career as our Musician of the Month for September.
Photos by Jason Rosewarne.
MORE ABOUT KERRI SIMPSON
Early Roots & Versatility
Hailing from Epping, Melbourne, Kerri Simpson began her musical journey with busking and performing in local venues during the early 1980s. Her eclectic genre exploration—from blues to country, gospel, and ska—has earned her accolades like being dubbed “Australia’s own Blues diva” by The Sydney Morning Herald critic Bruce Elder Blues Music VictoriaThe Music.
Discography Highlights
Her early albums include:
• VeVe, initiated with her band VeVe in 1993, followed by The Arousing (1995) and Speak (1996)
• Confessin’ the Blues (1998) – Nominated for Best Blues & Roots Album at the ARIA Awards
• Vodou: Songs of the Spirits (2001) – Blending field recordings from Haiti and New Orleans; awarded World Music Album of the Year by Rhythms Magazine
• Sun Gonna Shine (2003) – A blues & gospel album that remained in the Australian roots charts for nine weeks
• Part of a creative trilogy series:
◦ Maybe By Midnight (2007)
◦ 4AM (2013) – A sultry R&B meets New Orleans vibe; won the Music Victoria Best Blues Album in 2014
◦ Fortune Favoured Me (2012) – Highlights her songwriting chops, co-written with artists like Jeff Lang, Matt Walker, Geoff Achison, Shannon Bourne, and Charles Jenkins
Additional notable releases include Bluebirds (2017), Opelousified (2019), Opelousifried (2024) and Opelousas Baby (2018)
Collaborative Projects & Genre-Spanning Bands
Simpson isn’t confined to a single genre. She’s performed in:
• Swing with Swinging Sidewalks. House band for ABC TV’s The Big Gig
• Country with Kerri Simpson and The Prodigal Sons.
• Gospel as part of the Gospel Belles (formed in 2006: Kerri Simpson, Kelly Auty, Marisa Quigley, Diana Wolfe), delivering spirited foot-stomping gospel and blues performances WikipediaMarisa Quigley.
• Ska with The Ska Vendors, alongside members of Melbourne Ska Orchestra and other local musicians.
Opelousas: Reinventing Roots
In 2018, Simpson formed the blues-rock trio Opelousas with Allison Ferrier and Anthony “Shorty” Shortte. They crafted a “swampy, foreboding” sound heavily influenced by New Orleans and rootsy rock vibes. Their debut album Opelousified won the Music Victoria Award for Best Blues Album in 2019.
Accolades & Recognition
Simpson’s longstanding commitment to the blues and versatility across musical forms have been widely acknowledged:
• ARIA nomination (1999) for Confessin’ the Blues.
• Chain Australia Blues Music Awards – Best Female Vocals (2005)
• Music Victoria Award – Opelousified for Best Blues Album (2019), and Opelousas recognised again in 2024 for Best Blues Work
• Induction into the Blues Music Victoria Hall of Fame (2024)—an honour celebrating her artistry and influence
Kerri Simpson is celebrated not just as a singer, but as a powerhouse performer, an innovative collaborator, and a genre-defying creator. From blues to gospel, country to ska, her body of work spans decades and distances, with her music resonating in the U.S., Europe, and worldwide. Chicago airplay and international acclaim followed her early albums, while her globe-spanning exploration of voodoo-inspired music continues to enchant audiences.
Kerri Simpson stands as a towering figure in Melbourne’s—and Australia’s—roots and blues music scene. With a fearless approach to genre, deep soulfulness in her vocals, and a legacy of collaborations and acclaimed releases, she has earned her place both on stages at home and international stages such as New Orleans JazzFest. Her induction into the Hall of Fame is just one of many testaments to her artistry and enduring influence.
Upcoming Shows (2025)
• Monash – with Bob Sedergreen, The Counts – Wednesday, September 3
• Strange Tenants, Brisbane – Saturday, September 6
• Way Out West – Opelousas – Sunday, September 14
• Bundy Hall – Opelousas & Dom Turner – Saturday, September 20
• Lomond Hotel – Gospel (Kelly Auty) – Sunday, October 5, 12 noon
• Emerald – Opelousas / Ska Vendors @ PAVE 3 MDR birthday party – Saturday, November 15
• Queenscliff Music Festival – Opelousas – Saturday & Sunday, November 29–30
• Curtain Hotel – Ska Vendors @ Jamaican Music Fest Williamstown – Saturday, December 6
• George Lane – Gospel (Pat Powell) – Sunday, December 7
