A Harrisdale singer is set to storm the stage at the Perth Festival this Saturday as a part of MC Flewnt’s Boorloo Block Party, and there’s a special performance she’s keeping hush for the big day.
Andrea Onamade, better known onstage as Drea, has been honing her musical chops ever since she can remember, spurred on by her inspiring family.
“My parents are both church musicians, my Mum sings and my Dad plays keyboard, bass, drums and he’s a sound engineer too,” Ms Onamade told The Examiner.
“I first started singing in public in the church when I was about four, I’ve been performing in church since the start and still now,” she said.
“A lot of my early knowledge musical knowledge came from gospel artists, then I started to discover pop and RnB as well,” she said.
While you may not have seen the 24-year-old’s name in lights, Drea has been working hard on music throughout her life, for what initially began as a hobby.
“I started piano at four, then I started playing violin and viola and I did that all through high school,” Ms Onamade said.
“Then I went to WAAPA for a year and did a diploma of contemporary music. At first I didn’t want to be a singer, then at some point I thought, ‘I can actually do this, I’m good at this,’” she said.
The realisation was pivotal, and the young and up-and-coming musician has since released original songs and music videos on Spotify and YouTube, and performed at gigs with the support of her family.
“They are super supportive, 100 per cent,” said Ms Onamade.
“I did a Fringe Festival show on the ninth of February and all of them were involved – my Dad did the sound for the day, my brother played drums, and my sister and Mum came down to help with ticketing. I try to involve them as much as possible,” she said.
One might be forgiven for thinking the dedicated singer has only one focus, but Ms Onamade has more up her sleeve.
In the year just gone, she graduated from Murdoch University with a Bachelor of Laws and Criminology and a Business Administration Certificate – an achievement the hardworking songstress describes as, “just a little back up.”
But her true passion lies in taking to the stage to perform for ever-growing crowds of fans.
“At the event on Saturday I will perform with a band, a DJ but then there’s a huge thing happening at the end and everyone is getting involved – I’m not going to say what it is but it’s going to be really, really cool,” said Ms Onamade.
“It’s such a huge privilege and honour to be part of entertainment in Perth. When I was growing up, I saw people doing gigs and I never thought I would do that or have my name on a poster,” she said.
“I still get a kick of joy out of it. Not only do I get to share my art with other people, I get to be a part of a community that appreciates and enjoys that,” she said.
“If what I do brings people happiness for three minutes and thirty seconds, then I’m happy.”
Flewnt’s Boorloo Block Party is happening at the European Foods Warehouse on Saturday, February 26 as part of the Perth Festival.
You can find Drea’s music at linktr.ee/dreaomusic
