AT 15, Kyla-Bella Roberts has already established herself as an exceptional singer and entertainer going places – a singer heading in the right direction, to loosely quote Renee Geyer.
On Friday, Kyla-Belle takes the next step in the right direction – a huge step – when her debut single, Scars, is launched on all streaming platforms, including Spotify and Apple Music.
Kyla-Belle co-wrote Scars with David Carter at The CMAA Academy Of Country Music in 2023 at Tamworth.
It’s been a long process, and an incredible journey, for the teenager with the powerful voice – a voice well-known across the Moree Plains.
“I attended the academy and had the chance to co-write with David Carter in mentoring sessions,” Kyla-Belle said.
“When I told David what I wanted to write about, you could say we bonded over the subject. After a few tears, and a couple of hours, we created Scars.
“When I first performed the song it was very stripped back, just vocal and piano, but now it’s evolved to a full band.”
Kyla-Belle received a major breakthrough earlier this year, when a message came from her now manager, David Caplice.
“David invited me down to record in Sydney with two producers, Fabien and Don from Quasar Music,” Kyla-Belle said.
“The track was then sent to Nashville to be mixed and mastered by Nashville legends, Josh Sudds and Sam Moses, to become the song everyone will hear on Friday.
“I will have a gathering with close friends and family tonight (Thursday) to celebrate the release,” she smiled.
Kyla-Belle, a Year 10 student at Moree Secondary College, was born to sing. It’s in her blood. Deep in her blood.
Her parents, Shane and Donna, were “instrumental” in getting their daughter very much involved in music at a young age.
Shane and Donna headed up local band, Avenue 4 Troy, so being handed a microphone and guitar at a young age was a natural step for Kyla-Belle.
“I remember my first performance with mum and dad at Fairview Retirement Village when I was six years old, singing for all the residents – I think it was a couple of Michael Jackson songs,” Kyla-Belle smiled.
She performed her first solo performance at the age of 12 at the Tamworth Country Music Festival and received her first guitar as a Christmas present from her parents the following year.
“It’s a Maton Mini Blackwood and dad has taught me ever since,” she said.
“I love playing my guitar when I’m performing – it feels so natural.”
Kyla-Belle juggles schooling with entertaining, songwriting and recording, with full support from her parents and siblings, Jay and Rochelle.
“I think having musicians as parents is the coolest thing,” she said.
“They help me out so much, from gigs to choosing what I should to wear. Mum and dad have taught me things no-one else could, and always keep me on the right track.
“I’d like to say a big thank-you to my family, and my community, for the support they’ve always given me,” she said.
For Kyla-Belle, rarely a day goes by when music is not heard, played or written in the Roberts household.
“I’m always singing around the house, learning new songs. We have a family practice every Sunday, and I love doing vocal warm-ups for 20-30 minutes before my gigs.
“I’ve done the odd gig here and there this year, but spent most of my time preparing for studio time.
“I’ve missed a couple of days of school but try my hardest to stay on top of school work. I want to finish Year 12 and see where my music takes me,” she said.
Kyla-Belle’s pivotal career point, the moment she realised she was heading in the right direction, was the time she was given the opportunity to perform with seminal Australian band, The Bushwackers.
“That moment stood out to me the most,” she said.
“Myself and a few other academy attendees – Youth Collaboration – were lucky enough to put on a show and sing I am Australian on the Toyota Stage in Bicentennial Park at the Tamworth Country Music Festival.
“This showed me what it’s like to be in front of such a big crowd, and really showed me what that kind of life is about,” she said.
Kyla-Belle’s next chapter involves performing at the 2025 Tamworth Country Music Festival in January.
“I’ll be at the festival, maybe doing a bit of busking,” she said.
“I’ve also entered the Macca’s Golden Gig and will perform at the Aboriginal Cultural Showcase, performing all my original songs.
“I’m bringing Avenue 4 Troy – mum, dad, uncle Swanny and uncle Boy – out of retirement to help me for the night,” she grinned.
“I have other appearances coming up at the Resonate Country Concert, and will be singing with my good friends, The Bushwackers.”
Kyla-Belle’s debut single, Scars, is the next step of a musical career already making giant strides.
“This year, I’ve been focusing on getting my own music out there,” she said.
“I want to release as much music as I can, and to continue writing music to show the world who I am through my songs.
“One day, I hope to be a successful musician, whose music touches people’s hearts in the best possible way, and to make my country and my people proud,” she said.
