Regulars / Homebodies
Homebodies -
Staying In with Laura Imbruglia
Words by James Lynch
Tuesday 27th October, 2020
Up next on Homebodies is Melbourne indie-rock legend Laura Imbruglia. She’s been busy in the rock ’n’ roll game since the early noughties, releasing her impressive fourth album Scared Of You last year, but most recently, she’s working behind the scenes at Music Victoria who are currently gearing up for this year’s Music Victoria Awards - a celebration of Victoria’s best independent music, artists and industry folk. Going digital for the first time ever, the 2020 Music Vic Awards will be live-streamed on December 9th from the Melbourne Recital Centre, and you’ve got until November 6th to get your votes in.
Here's what else Laura has been up to during lockdown.


What are you reading?
I’m currently reading the list of nominees for the Music Victoria Awards and boy is it impressive! This is my fourth year working on the event, and it’s always a real thrill to see the lists of nominees come in from the various judging panels, and catch up on any releases or artists I may have missed.


What are you watching?

I’m currently watching Pen15, Schitt’s Creek and Transparent but I’m feeling really guilty about watching so much TV so I might try and do some songwriting soon and keep my brain a little more creatively engaged.

What are you listening to?
My most recent album purchases were Simona Castricum Panic/Desire and Gordon Koang Unity, which I have been thoroughly enjoying. I’ve also really been getting into Richard and Linda Thompson as well. Their album I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight is strangely COVID appropriate, lyrically. The title track and ‘When I Get to The Border’, for instance...

Anything happening in the kitchen?
I cooked this the other night - it’s sooo delicious and I’m going to die of blocked arteries for sure.
What’s keeping you busy?
The Music Victoria Awards is keeping me very busy! We’ve just announced the nominees, we had the Industry Awards livestream earlier this month, and public voting is open too. So at the moment, we have lots of emails coming in and going out to nominees and we are working hard on the promo trail to remind people to vote for their faves (that url again is musicvictoria.com.au/votenow).


Anything you’re doing differently?
I decided pre-pandemic that this was going to be a quiet year for me and I was preparing myself to learn to say no more often, to learn to be content with doing less and enjoy being less stressed. Turns out the universe handed me a very empty plate this year and saved me the FOMO.


What’s the worst isolation idea you’ve had so far?
Raising a chihuahua puppy and trying my hand at gardening simultaneously. She’s eaten all my cabbage.

Best ways to support the community at the moment?
I would encourage peeps to engage with the Music Victoria Awards - through voting, listening to and sharing our nominee playlists (we have HEAPS per genre and category on our Spotify account), and watching the awards when it livestreams on Dec 9 on our Youtube channel and Channel 31.

The Victorian community has copped a beating this year, and music is a HUGE part of our life and identity. Not only will you be reminding these artists that you love them, you’ll be helping them win valuable prizes. The winner of Best Song gets a $3k cheque from APRA AMCOS, The winners of Best Band, Best Musician and Best Solo Artist win vouchers to spend on Yamaha gear and the winner of Best Breakthrough Act wins a rehearsal package from Bakehouse Studios. You will actually be doing your bit to help these musos get back on their feet.

Voters also go in the draw to win Brick Lane beers and Billy Hyde Music vouchers for Yamaha gear, so there’s something in it for you too!

Check out all the nominees for the Music Victoria Awards here and get involved by voting for your faves at musicvictoria.com.au/votenow. Voting closes on November 6th so get moving.