Where it all began for Gold Coast’s indie darling Amy Shark

From a Gold Coast state school to the stages of New York and LA, the city’s own indie-pop sensation Amy Shark has credited the Glitter Strip as her original training ground.

IT was the night the Shark looked the bear in the eye — and won.

Indie-pop sensation Amy Shark vividly remembers her first gig at the Burleigh Bears Rugby League Club and how she overcame a severe bout of nerves to kickstart a career that has gone global.

“I almost broke up with my boyfriend (now husband) for booking that,” she laughs. “I was so nervous and hadn’t done that before. But in the end I absolutely loved it and that is where it all started.”

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Popular musician and Gold Coast local Amy Shark. Pic Tim Marsden

Today, Amy Shark is a nine-time nominee at this year’s Aria Awards and No. 1 artist thanks to her debut album Love Monster.

And from Southport State High School to the theatres of New York and Los Angeles, she credits the people and stages of the Gold Coast.

“They were mostly just cover gigs,” she says of her early Coast performances. “People would yell stuff out and I would get really quick with my reactions.

FOR THE RECORD: AMY SHARK ON ALBUM LOVE MONSTER

Former Southport State High student Amy Shark performing at the Australian Commercial Radio Awards this year.

“Eventually, I just got better at reading the situation and audience — that has all played such as huge part in how I perform and play today.

“It strengthened every part of me.”

While the “overnight sensation” label often follows her, Shark says she spent years refining her craft while working in marketing at the Titans NRL club.

She credited her success to perseverance, passion and her close group of friends and supporters.

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“At the start, I had no audience. I had pretty much 11 people listening to my MySpace, when I needed a cult following it just didn’t happen. It was just so hard for me to get that organic following until recently.

“I think about it now, I don’t think about what kept me going at that time. I had a good job at the Titans and I was ready to say, ‘well maybe it won’t work out for me’.”

Her breakthrough single Adore, which went triple platinum, skyrocketed the down-to-earth talent into the spotlight.

In constant competition with herself, Shark said she often looked to others completely dedicated to their cause.

“You never ask to be someone that others look to. I have flaws and I will slip up heaps of times, but to me a strong woman is someone who is real, honest and not scared of being themself.”

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“People like Bec Frizelle are a presence. They want to be the best at what they love doing.

“My husband is also a huge part of this. He is pretty brutal. He doesn’t sugar coat anything, old Shane (Billings), he knows the Shark brand more than I do.”

A piece of advice from Triple J announcer Richard Kingsmill also influenced Shark’s music.

“It is one thing to have a record deal, but it is not just that. It is about being on, continuing to work instead of picking up the phone or social media.

“I love Netflix, I love social media, but you just need to be so absorbed into what you want to make happen, you have to focus.”

The Bulletin’s inaugural Harvey Norman Gold Coast Women of the Year campaign celebrates the city’s leading females.

A winner will be crowned at a gala event at The Star Gold Coast on International Women’s Day on March 8.

More information is at womenoftheyear.com.au.