She devil

Robyn Loau calls herself the face of multiculturalism. It was her stunning Samoan looks and soaring voice that put her in front of the cameras as the lead singer of 90s Aussie girl band Girlfriend.

But Loau has kept a fairly low profile since the group soared to the top of the charts with the hit Take It From Me, doing only odd television guest spots in programs like Wildside and All Saints, and a small role in the film Idiot Box.

But with the birth last year of her first child, a daughter Indigo, has come a new desire to once again climb the dizzying heights of Australia’s music charts – but this time as a solo diva with a gutsy new sound.

“I’ve taken time out to concentrate on being a good mother but it drove me crazy being house-bound. Being a mother is the best graduation a female can have,” Loau told Sydney Star Observer.

Her latest single She Devil, is a big step from her pop idol days, with an edgier feel and darker tone. In keeping with the feel of the track, Loau filmed the clip at Victoria’s Twelve Apostles, a location she says reflects the atmosphere and mood of the sombre lyrics.

“I didn’t want my clip to have lots of sets and costume changes. I wanted it to be real so people can relate to the song,” she said.

“A she devil is actually a metaphor for an addiction, which could be for an ex-lover that you can’t shake off – or even a mother-in-law. Basically it’s just another word for a nasty piece of work.”

Loau’s debut album, written with help from Rogue Traders’ drummer Cameron McGlinchey, won’t hit the stores until later this year, but work on the second single Hard, inspired by the Columbine shootings, is already under way for a winter release.

“I don’t do happy songs well. I’m one of those people who have a distinct flavour and I guess mine is more of a dark rich chocolate flavour. I don’t fit into your average popstar mould any more,” she said.

But Loau is enjoying the freedom of being an independent artist and says she is proud of the support she has given to the gay and lesbian community over the years. In 2003 she recorded the single Never Miss The Water with Gerry Deveaux, Shauna Jensen and Michal Nicolas, which became the official Mardi Gras anthem.

“In 2005 I was the guest vocalist for 4 Strings at Mardi Gras and sang their hit Take Me Away,” she said. “It was an incredible experience just seeing the sea of hands waving in the air and I was also pregnant at the time. The gay community is so open minded and their support for artists is amazing.”

Robyn Loau will be performing at Madame Fling Flong, upstairs at 169 King St, Newtown, on Sunday 24 June. See www.myspace.com/robynloau.