Former Australian Idol contestant Sash Seabourne to spread message of overcoming adversity in South West tour

After a whirlwind foray into the mainstream music industry through Australian Idol, Margaret River’s Sash Seabourne is set to embark on what will be his most personal tour yet. Following the release of his new original song Raised by Rivers, the 25-year-old will tour the South West region to give back to those that have supported him along his musical journey. The tour is set to start from Saturday, May 20 with a gig at Margaret River’s The River, followed by appearances in Fremantle, Bunbury, Yallingup, Manjimup, Busselton, Esperance, Hopetoun and Dunsborough. Joining him throughout the tour are several WA acts including Sky Cave, Bleu Haze Baby, Travis Green, Chloe Schofield and Tanya Ransom. Speaking to the South Western Times, Seabourne said the tour felt like a “full circle moment” after going on a big learning curve through his appearance on Australian Idol. “To go on this huge learning and mentorship experience of media training and being in such a high-pressure environment, I think it really elevated me as a vocalist and I’ve learned so much from that experience,” he said. “I’ve come back with a newfound gratitude to just being independent and calling my own shots and make decisions as an artist that feels authentic and genuine to me. “I also just love playing shows man. “I really just love playing to real people and trying to create a memorable experience for my fans so it feels really nice to have the first show of the tour be in Margaret River with some close friends.” Ahead of the tour kicking off at The River, Seabourne said the venue held a special place in his heart having played there as part of bands and as a solo artist when he was first starting out. “It’s one of the most special venues that I could possibly play in,” he said. “Hopefully I can bring half the town out and all the people that voted for me and supported me. “I think Margaret River has been a huge reason why I did get voted through to the pointy end of the competition so just to come back out and play for everyone is going to be really beautiful. “I’m very grateful and indebted to the scene and the venues in the South West for supporting me in pursuing the art form and I don’t know if I would be able to call myself a full-time musician if it wasn’t for being regional and getting out on the road as much. “Margaret River and The River have been a constant in my musical journey.” Seabourne’s new song Raised by Rivers tells an introspective story about growing up in Margaret River and overcoming bullying and facing hardship in his teenage years. “I’ve never been someone to try and write topical songs before and never was needing to be provocative in the way I wrote music but this one just came out naturally and so I really stand by it,” he said. “I experienced some bullying and tough times at school and felt like an outsider in those early years when I was learning to grow into my own skin but it’s also a song about triumph and growing into a person that’s proud of who they are. “It’s a song that in a way is being written to the 14-year-old that was in my position 10 years ago to say that ‘it gets better’ and it’s kind of an ode to reminding myself to keep going and push forward. “It’s a song that anyone can relate to whose been through hard times and it feels really good to sharing that message.” ‘Raised by River’s Tour Dates Saturday May 20 - The River, Margaret River Saturday May 27 - Dadaa Chapel, Fremantle Friday June 2 - Frothcraft Bunbrewery, Bunbury Sunday June 4 - Yallingup Hall, Yallingup Friday June 9 - Gatsby’s Skyline, Manjimup Saturday June 10 - Hally’s, Busselton Friday June 23 - 75 Club, Esperance Saturday June 24 - 75 Club, Hopetoun Sunday June 25 - Clancy’s, Dunsborough