Friday Flash(back) - Amy Shark - Soft Pop

Soft Pop is the fourth studio album from Gold Coast native, Amy Shark. In the early days, 2008 to 2012, her early solo material was released and performed under the name Amy Cushway

Her 2016 single Adore peaked at number 3 on the ARIA Singles Chart and was also listed at number 2 on the Triple J Hottest 100, 2016. Her album Love Monster (July 2018) debuted at number 1 on the ARIA Albums Chart. 

Shark has won 8 ARIA Music Awards from 29 nominations, including winning Best Pop Release three times: in 2017 for her extended play, Night Thinker, 2018 for Love Monster and 2020 for Everybody Rise. 

In addition to her musical career, Shark has served as a judge on Australian Idol since 2023. She also performed new tracks from her album centre stage at my mums local Westfield recently. Westfield Tuggerah. Now that is a tough gig!

Soft Pop was announced back in March, alongside the album's lead single. The album was written entirely by Shark, with no co-writes and no collaborations. The album was recorded in a converted church in Wales with long-time producer Dann Hume (yes from Evermore!).

Some history from this week's feature. Amy Shark's birth father separated from her mother, Robyn, when Shark was just a baby. Upon the success of Adore, Shark replied to her birth father's attempt to re-establish contact.

In 2007 Shark met Shane Billings, a New Zealand-born Gold Coast financial manager; they married on 11 May 2013. The couple worked with the local National Rugby League football club, Gold Coast Titans: Shark as a video editor and Shane managing finances. She left that job in November 2016. Shane was also Shark's talent manager until she signed with Jaddan Comerford of UNIFIED Music Group, & continued as her manager for the local market.

The couple were residents of Broadbeach Waters. They relocated to Sydney by 2021.

In September 2021 Shane founded Rage More Records as a talent management company and recording label. The label's first release is a single "I'm not Giving Up" (Sep 2021) by IndyAnna Baby, which is co-written by Shark with that artist.

Shark cancelled a proposed American tour set for September 2023 due to hospitalisation for an unspecified illness in early August. The artist described having felt discomfort before seeking medical assistance and was due to undergo surgery with a month for recovery. By late September the singer performed at El Rey Theatre, LA.

Until next Friday, when we shine the spotlight on one of Australia's favourite bands. Wait till then to find out who is up next.