Notes From the Stage: Winter Reflections
- watchfulspirits
- Sep 8
- 5 min read
Winter was a season of music, creativity, and putting myself out there on stage. It was a time of stepping beyond my comfort zone, sharing my songs, and connecting with other musicians. I reached new milestones with my music — performing live and receiving so much encouraging feedback.
There’s something incredibly special about taking your music to the stage. Yes, there are mistakes along the way — a missed chord here or a dropped note there — but that’s all part of it. This is the process, the journey toward becoming an even better artist.
Read on to hear more about my journey over Winter and what the warmth of Spring brings for Chrissy and The Watchful Spirits.
Winter Nights, Open Mics
I kicked off my open mic journey at Hodfellows Brewery. Walking in with my guitar, I didn’t know what to expect, but I was met with a friendly smile from Steve Elbourn, who was hosting the open mic.
Hodfellows has an open, laid-back feel — big enough to buzz with energy, yet relaxed enough that musicians and audiences feel at ease. This was my first open mic in two years, so yep, I was nervous.
It turned out to be a crucial night. My friends recorded my performance, and when I watched it back after the show, I thought: “Wow! I’m sounding better than I imagined.” That was the moment I realised I was ready for more. Where’s the next stage that’ll have me? I was hungry to keep pushing myself.
Another cool thing about Steve’s open mics at Hodfellows is that you get a 20-minute set — so I played five originals. Whoo-hoo!! 🎶
From there, my journey led me to the Moreton Bay Community Open Show, held at Hip Hops Brewers — a whole new stage.
Beneath the glow of blue stage lights at Hip Hops Brewers, I stepped up with my guitar. Playing here as part of the Moreton Bay Community Open Show felt electric — a mix of nerves and excitement. I played five of my original songs and loved watching and mingling with the other acts throughout the night.
By far my favourite song to perform live is Soul Density — a song about living in the tension between two worlds: the physical, with all its challenges, and the divine spirit within. It’s about navigating that dichotomy and finding balance between the two. This song has received the most feedback from onlookers and listeners, and it’s also super fun to play. I switch between two ‘characters/voices’ in the song — the light and the dark — and of course, we know the light will always prevail.
The takeaway lesson for me from this experience was simple: enjoy the moment, don’t rush, and choose your set list wisely. I felt that one of my quieter songs, Whole and Divine, didn’t quite cut through the louder atmosphere — maybe it’s a song better reserved for a quieter, more intimate setting. But overall, I absolutely loved playing at Hip Hops Brewers.
🌟 Artist Spotlight: Jaylee
One act in particular caught my ear that night — Jaylee, a talented Brisbane-based singer-songwriter. Jaylee is a kind, warm, and welcoming human who exudes art and music. Her blend of guitar and vocals is a perfect match — and you’ll often find her performing live, creating magic with her guitar, or reciting poetry to an eager audience. Be sure to check out her recent live reading of “True” at Rat Planet Studio.
Jaylee will also be releasing her new single “Free” on 11th October, and performing it live at the Loud and Proud Festival the very same day — be sure to check out Jaylee and show her some love!
Wrapping up at Cardigan Bar.
I’ve had the pleasure of playing two open mics recently at Cardigan Bar a gorgeous and intimate, music-centred hub. Compared to the big, buzzing energy of Hip Hops Brewers, Cardigan has a cosy, funky and warm vibe.
It’s the kind of place where you feel every lyric is truly heard, and the connection between artist and audience runs deep. Both times I played here, I felt at ease — able to share my originals in a space that champions local music. I played Star Dust live for the first time last Thursday night, and it was truly a magical moment. (See the video below of Star Dust live.)
My open mic journey this Winter has been full of growth, connection, and magical moments on stage. Each venue — from the welcoming vibe of Hodfellows, to the buzzing energy of Hip Hops Brewers, to the intimate feel of Cardigan Bar — has given me something new and helped me grow as an artist.
And the journey continues… my next open mic will be at Cream House Café in Sunnybank Hills on Friday, 13th September. I can’t wait to step into a new space, share more of my originals, and see where this path takes me next.
✨ Up next: my new band shirts — designed by the talented Don Lee.
From Song to Shirt: Don Lee’s Design
I thought it would be cool to create a “band shirt” as a fun endeavour and a way to continue exploring myself as an artist. Of course, I considered designing the shirt myself — and I may do that in the future — but my friend Don Lee came to mind. He’s not only a friend but also a truly talented artist, and we have a history of working on creative projects together. I knew he’d be up for the challenge, and of course, he delivered a funky and unique design that perfectly captures the spirit of Chrissy and The Watchful Spirits.
Shirts are available now! To place an order, simply email me at watchfulspirits@gmail.com with your size and quantity. I’ll be in touch with payment and pickup/delivery options. (Online store coming soon!)
Meet the Artist: Don Lee
This band shirt wouldn’t exist without the creativity of my friend and talented artist Don Lee. His funky, unique design captured the spirit of Chrissy and The Watchful Spirits perfectly. I sent Don a set of interview questions about his art, his influences, and how he approached the shirt design. His answers were thoughtful, inspiring, and full of stories from his creative journey.
👉 Continue reading the full interview here: [Meet the Artist: Don Lee – Full Q&A]
It’s such a pleasure to watch you, often live, blooming into a unique and confident artist! These posts are a memento of your experiences, and a good read to boot. I enjoy hearing what each venue has taught you so far, and I’m looking forward to the next instalments.