PAST STUDENTS
Q&A Lauren Finger (RGS 2014) Why let yourself follow only one passion in life? Lauren Finger (RGS 2014), also now known as Lauren Shae in the music business, released her debut single “Strawberry Sunset” on 14 May. It is just one of the many hats the Taroom district property owner enjoys wearing.
“ I’d only ever really sung to myself and never in front of anyone else.” Lauren Finger
CQ: You have just turned 24 years of age, how does it feel being a recording artist? LF: “I keep thinking that’s not me. It’s still a nice feeling knowing that other people like listening to your music.” CQ: How did this opportunity come about? LF: “I was new in the Taroom district and invited some people over for dinner one night. I was making pizza in the kitchen and just singing away. I didn’t realise they could hear me outside through the window. I was so embarrassed, but they said to keep going. After that I would just post a few songs on social media. A friend of mine heard one of my songs and got one of his friends, who is a music producer in Nashville, to listen to the song. It just went from there.”
I wanted to be a vet after school but didn’t get the grades so I worked as a vet nurse in Moranbah for two years and then returned home to the family property near Dysart. It was different moving away from the Dysart district when the family sold the property, but this (my own property) was always something I wanted to do. I always had breeders when I was a little kid.” CQ: You were one of five siblings growing up on “Meadowbrook”, how different has it been running your own place? LF: “Not knowing many people from around the district was hard and having to figure out things for myself. Previously I was always around my parents and siblings who I could ask for help. I’ve had to figure out how this property works. I still love the freedom and the peace of living on the land.”
CQ: Did anyone know you could sing? LF: “My family didn’t even know I was doing this. Mum knew I could sing but no one else in the family did. I’d only ever really sung to myself and never in front of anyone else. The debut single attracted 700 streams on its first day released. This means the world that I have the opportunity to make music.”
CQ: Recording a song isn’t your main business interest?
CQ: Do you have spare time for anything else? LF: “I also do a bit of modelling for Roma business Dusty Creek. I’ve done a bit of modelling previously but that’s all just a bit of fun.” Follow Lauren’s music journey at www.facebook.com/lauren.shaemusic/
LF: “In 2019 I purchased my own cattle property in the Taroom district and I’m now running 1200 head of Droughtmaster. I also have my own Droughtmaster stud, “La Shae Droughtmasters”.
THE ROCKHAMPTON GRAMMAR SCHOOL CAPRICORNUS QUARTERLY / 7
