Reluctant star rises for cure

The extraordinary vocal range of The Voice season one winner Karise Eden will be on full display at the Leukaemia Foundation’s Concert for Cure and Care at the Bunbury Regional Entertainment Centre on Saturday night.

The 20-year-old singer-songwriter has struggled to adjust to life in the spotlight following her rapid rise to fame and does her best to avoid the glare of media publicity.

“The demands on my time immediately after The Voice were off the Richter scale,” Eden said.

“Fame is a weird thing, I feel like the same person inside but now people recognise me in the street and call out to me, sometimes like I’m their long-lost friend.

“It’s nice that people are supportive – I’m just not used to it yet.”

Eden’s performance on Saturday evening will be her first in regional Western Australia and the reluctant celebrity said she was happy to use her newfound social status to benefit a worthy charity.

“Everyone knows someone who has been affected by cancer,” Eden said.

“I don’t know anyone who has had leukaemia specifically but I’ve always thought of it as a disease more likely to affect young children, which breaks my heart.

“I believe that everyone should try to help good causes no matter what their position in life and while I hope to someday be able to make a significant difference to certain issues close to my heart, until then I’m happy to do my small bit where I can.”

Concertgoers are in for a treat, with Eden planning to sing a mixture of covers and brand new, yet to be released original material.

“I’m writing at the moment so in between a bunch of covers that I love I’ll also throw in a few new songs to see how the audience responds,” she said.

“I can’t wait to blast out a show with my new band and being from the east coast I’m looking forward to seeing the sun set over the water.”

Home-grown country talent Jonny Taylor returns as the support act at the second consecutive Concert for Cure and Care.

The funds raised by the concert will help fund the comprehensive range of free services the Leukaemia Foundation provides for blood cancer patients and their families.

The Concert for Cure and Care takes place at the Bunbury Regional Entertainment Centre this Saturday from 8pm.

Tickets can be purchased from BREC or online at www.bunburyentertainment.com.