Singer set to serenade Capes

South West soul, blues and jazz specialist Michelle Spriggs is excited to be working on her first EP.

As Spriggs’ busy summer season comes to an end, she has embraced the opportunity to work on her EP. Spriggs also performs in a trio with Kevin McDonald and David Rastrick.

“Recording is one of my favourite things to do and it’s always been a dream to release an album, ” she told the Times.

“The wedding season is my busiest time of year and with it now drawing to a close, I am focusing on writing new material and teaching music in Margaret River.” Spriggs got her first taste of performing as a five-year-old at a family friend’s engagement party.

From there, music has guided her to the stage where she performed at the age of eight and then continued with classical training until she was 16 years old.

“Pop music started to become more ‘cool’ in my world so a few years in a covers band kept me busy. I knew jazz was the next step in furthering my vocal ability so I headed to university to study a degree in jazz, ” she said.

“I guess my style is a real mixture of genres although I I’m suited more to soul, blues and jazz.”

This weekend, Spriggs will perform at Swings and Roundabouts and her solo set will include a mix of all genres and original material and some of her favourite covers. She will draw on some of her performance experiences, which recently included opening for Carole King.

“To share a stage with someone with such amazing songwriting skills was enormous for me, ” she said.

“Recently we were (also) lucky enough to open for Diana Krall at Leeuwin Estate. It was a huge honour as Diana was one of my biggest influences whilst studying jazz.”

Spriggs said she loved that most of her shows were outside in summer.

“There’s nothing like looking out over a vineyard or the ocean whilst performing, ” she said.

“The local support is what keeps musicians like myself going during the quiet months. There is nothing better than seeing familiar faces enjoying your work as much as you are.”

Spriggs and McDonald perform on Sunday from noon.