Our local region will be in the spotlight once again when talented singer-songwriter, Karen Jacobsen, films three destination focused music videos right here in the Whitsundays.
Launching her new album on May 22, she will be filming the videos next week and has received a $9,000 grant from Whitsunday Regional Council to contribute to production costs.
Famous for being the Australian voice of Siri and the Destination Ambassador for the Whitsundays, Karen was originally from Mackay and spent the last 20 years living in New York.
In search of a safe haven during the pandemic, she brought her family back to Australia and ventured up to her home region, falling in love with the Whitsundays once again.
Dedicating much of her time to promoting the area, driving tourism where possible and championing cultural development, Karen has become a sophisticated mascot for all that shines in the Whitsundays.
Using her song-writing skills to further promote the region, she has filmed music videos on Hayman Island and at Coral Sea Resort.
Next week she will be filming two music videos for her new album.
The first song entitled, You Are The Greatest, will feature the Airlie Foreshore and show footage of Karen travelling along the boardwalk in a pedi-cab.
The next song and title track to the new album is The Slipstream and has special meaning for Karen.
“For a long time, I was looking around at the success that other people were having and it seemed like they managed to find some slipstream of energy and then everything just worked – it seemed so easy for them,” she said.
“I was trying very hard and wondering why I wasn’t experiencing that, and this song is really about that state of desperation and feeling lost.
“There came a point for me when I realised there wasn’t something that I’ve got to go and find out there, it is something I can find in here.
“I went from thinking, what’s here for us? To, what can I provide here?”
The filming for this video takes place with the industrial backdrop of Proserpine Sugar Mill, the quintessential country stage of the cane fields, and then finishes on the Cape Hillsborough beach at dawn with the wallabies.
Karen will be wearing a custom-made golden gown by Jason Chetcuti.
“This is a very fresh delivery of the tourism messaging,” said Karen.
“They are a lasting piece of artwork that capture a moment in time with original music and I am absolutely delighted that Whitsunday Regional Council sees the benefit.”
