It’s a wrap on another Mother’s Day Classic (MDC). But rap wasn’t a genre we heard on the ME Bank stages at the events 25th anniversary. Instead, a hand-picked band of brilliant Aussie musicians brought their healing sounds to the day, helping to raise the spirits of participants, plus over $25,000 (mic drop!) for the National Breast Cancer Foundation. They also brought their personal stories, with many having been touched by breast cancer themselves.
Now with the finish line down, and stages packed up, ME turns the spotlight on some of these talented artists, and why performing at the MDC was important to them.
Emily Hatton
With a TSA New Songwriter of the Year Award, and number one spot on the iTunes charts, Emily Hatton is a name you’ll be hearing more of in the local music scene. The Brisbane-based singer delivers catchy hooks with a blend of country and pop. And on 8 May, played to a passionate pink crowd.
An artist who delivers personal stories on stage, Emily had one to share with ME about a dear neighbour who has now recovered from breast cancer. Performing at the MDC was one way she could ‘help light up the souls and hearts’ of participants supporting the cause.
‘It’s all about uplifting each other through music, which is what I live for. My skill set doesn’t lie in being a doctor, but I try to bring healing through music, because that’s what it brings me.' And, thousands of fans in sold out shows nationwide.
Son & Lovey
Describing themselves as ‘four gays and a reverend', Brisbane quintet Rialto Five boasts an eclectic mix of Aussies and Kiwis. Their catchy tunes feature strong, original lyrics promoting positivity, love, peace and a little fun.
At this year’s MDC, the band’s brother and sister duo Son Jnr and Jess Lovey used their inspired harmonies to honour their ‘warrior’ mother – and fellow band member Mel De Mink’s mum – all breast cancer survivors.
‘Our mothers are the backbones of our families, says Jess. ‘Our warriors. They carry the heartbeat of our world.’ As Jess and co now do on stages across the country. ME knows their mums would be proud.
Annette Aldridge
‘People tell me the sound of the cello is emotionally healing,’ says cellist and composer Annette Eldridge. The Conservatorium of Music graduate has performed her soothing symphonies for audiences around the world.
A passionate advocate for women, Annette was especially keen to celebrate participants at the MDC. ‘Women are strong and persevere through many challenges. I had an aunty pass away from breast cancer, and my mum recently had a scare and had tissue removed.’
‘Netty’ puts the strength she’s gained from her family into her music. And her other escape, motorcycling – adding another string to this talented string player’s bow.
Julia Ivory
A singer, songwriter and pianist, the appropriately named Julia Ivory uses music as a form of therapy; a safe place in the darkest of hours. And she has experienced many of those.
Following her mum’s breast cancer diagnosis in 2018, and her own battle with anorexia in 2020, Julia used music as an escape. With both now in recovery, she uses it today to tell her story with haunting melodies like ‘To the Bone.’
She joined the MDC event for her mum. ‘She deserves so much recognition as the strong role model that has made me the woman I am today.’ And she credits her return to music to a sheer determination to survive. As her mum and millions of women will understand.
COTTA
On her IG profile, COTTA (aka Cassidy Mackie) says she covers ‘songs that your mum jams to.’ But it’s not just mums following her steep rise in the music scene. The award-winning singer songwriter also performed at the 2020 AFL Grand Final and released hit singles that landed on the Triple J Unearthed rotation.
Naturally, she has a fan in her own mum Linda, a two-time breast cancer survivor, but COTTA is her mum’s biggest fan. ‘Watching her tenacity as she took down the beast not once, but twice, really set me up for womanhood in a way I wasn't expecting,’ she says.
Today, her mum has very much inspired the way she both lives and creates, with her uplifting tunes. ‘I embrace life now with her bravery in mind and face each day with a sense of power and purpose.’ Which ME thinks is the only way to be.
To all the artists that joined ME on stage at the MDC in Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney, and everyone who registered to take part in the event, we say thank you. Keep supporting our Aussie musicians because music does the world of good. And remember, with every tap of a pink card*, you can keep supporting breast cancer research with ME.
*Please consider if this product is appropriate for you. ME Bank – a division of Bank of Queensland Limited ABN 32 009 656 740
This article is prepared based on general information. It does not take into account individual financial objectives or needs and is not financial product advice.