Women in Music (St Kilda)


Tanya-Lee Davies

Melbourne songstress Tanya-Lee Davies is a heart-seeking missile, who specialises in Dreamy/Pop Country/Psychedelic Folk sounds: big on melody, lush vocals and lyrics that cast spells. She has been playing music since the early 1990s. 

Tanya-Lee's bands are as follows:

  • The Soft Ones - first band, formed in WA - singer, writer, booker (Indi pop)

  • The Shuffling Hungarians - first Melbourne band - singer (R&B/ Blues) Elroy Flicker and the Fitzroy Gutterslugs - singer - (R&B/ Blues) 

  • Sophisticated Boom Boom - Singer (1960’s Girl Group) 

  • The Tanya-Lee Tones - Singer, booker (1950’s & 1960’s R&B/ Country soul) 

  • Gospel Choir - Peaceful Anticipation Social Aid and Pleasure Club - singer 11 piece gospel band with Rebecca Barnard, Kerri Simpson, Nichaud Fitzgibbon, Shelley Scown, Chris Wilson, Joe Geia and more), 1990

  • The Swinging Sidewalks - singer (R&B, jazz), 1992 

  • Tanya-Lee’s Inspirations - Writer, singer, acoustic guitar, booker, promoter (Folk/Pop/Country), 1992 

  • Moovin’ & Groovin’ Orchestra - Singer (Jazz/R&B), 1993 

  • The J&T Hour - Singer, booker, curator (Cabaret/Rock'n'roll, Pub art/Theatre), 1994 

  • HUG - Singer, booker (Soul/Groove), 2000 

  • Tanya-Lee’s R&B’s - Singer, booker (1950’s & 1960’s R&B/Country) ,2002 

  • Superdarling - writer, singer, acoustic guitar, booker, promoter (dream lounge pop), 2004 

  • The Presley Family - singer, booker, promoter (all Elvis songs), 2012 

  • The Duetting Damsel - singer, booker, promoter - (Country influenced duets with male singing partners), 2018 

  • Tanya-Lee Band - Writer, singer, acoustic guitar, booker, promoter (Pop/Folk/Country/Dream Pop) this is an extension of Superdarling which was an extension of The Inspirations - I’ve always had a band to play my own songs and the other acts as side projects 

  • A Country Mile - singer, promoter, booker, curator (country and country soul songs from 1950 - 1970), 2023 

  • BDF - Rebecca Barnard, Tanya-Lee Davies, Alison Ferrier - playing each others songs in the round - country/folk/pop, 2023

Tanya-Lee  has played gigs at St Kilda music venues and events including: Prince of Wales Hotel, The Vineyard, Claypots, St Kilda Bowling Club, The Linden Tree, George Lane, The Espy, Iddy Biddy, St Kilda Festival, Big Mouth, Dogs Bar, Veludo, Republica The George Hotel, MEMO Music Hall, The Ember Lounge, The Fyrefly, Raoul Records, Pure Pop, St Kilda Blues Festival, Barneys, Topolinos, Lost, The Greyhound Hotel, Surabaya Johnnys.

"I first laid eyes on St Kilda when i was visiting Melbourne at 17.I remember vividly driving down Fitzroy St with my Aunt & feeling exhilarated. It was so different to Perth where i had grown up. I knew i wanted to get back to that exotic place as soon as i could. I finally moved to Melbourne about 5 years later.  I first lived in Elwood & Balaclava & then moved into an apartment on Fitzroy St. At that time there were a few other musicians living in the block. I ended up singing with some of them & was welcomed into a musical community. 

Some of us were writing, performing & recording our own songs as well as being in various bands that were part of a thriving Jazz/Soul/R&B scene. There were lots of gigs & cross pollination, we’d all sit in with each others bands & sing on each others records. It was a special & magical time for me & creatively it was exciting, i felt i was nurturing all my muses & learning from everyone around me."

Tanya-Lee Davies, Athenaeum Reading Room,  2022 - Source: Tanya Lee Davies

"I always found that the ‘tourist’ element could make or break a show, depending on the venue. In summer the out of towners tend to think of St Kilda as a holiday destination and the beach and festive vibe of the suburb can make for some serious over indulgence which can be annoying to deal with or can contribute to a great night. It’s a lucky dip. Winter is a different ball game altogether. I’ve had some of my best audiences in St Kilda and some tough ones too.

I see a huge difference in younger women today. They’re empowered. I love watching the numbers of women performers, writers, instrumentalists & singers grow and flourish. I love that there are so many acts that feature women in prominent positions, boldly doing their thing & not subscribing to gender roles. I feel there’s a huge wave of female talent that’s visible & continues to swell."

Tanya-Lee Davies, 2013 - Photo by Bruce Davis - Source: Tanya Lee Davies
Tanya-Lee Davies Bandcamp Tanya-Lee Davies Website
Tanya-Lee Davies,  Rebecca Barnard, Kerri Simpson, Shelley Scown - P.R.I.C.S (Performers Releasing Information about Clean Syringes/Careful Sex),  Prince of Wales Hotel, c.1993
Rebecca Barnard and Tanya-Lee Davies at The Ember Lounge - Duetting Damsel show, 2019 
Tanya Lee-Davies and band, inc. Rick Plant, Ash Davies, Sam Lemann at The Ember Lounge - Duetting Damsel show, 2019 

Rusty Berther and Tanya-Lee Davies at The Ember Lounge - Duetting Damsel show, 2019

Jon Von Goes and Tanya-Lee Davies at The Ember Lounge - Duetting Damsel show, 2019

Terry Serio and Tanya-Lee Davies at BRIGHTSPACE, 2023 - Photo by Jules Butterworth
Sue World Vivienne Gay