Goldheist (Hester Fraser)

Goldheist (Hester Fraser)

Where words fail, music speaks – a mantra which is encapsulated in the work of GOLDHEIST (aka Hester Fraser), charming audiences as a Finalist for three years running in the Toyota Busking Championships at the Tamworth Country Music Festival, in which she was Winner of the prestigious People’s Choice Award in 2016, and 2nd Place Winner of the Judges Choice in 2017.

But it’s not all singing in the streets for GOLDHEIST, who will be launching her latest album ‘REALM’ at the Sydney Opera House on Saturday 23 September, with a regional tour to follow. Her songs tell stories of love, life and adventure, painting vibrant pictures of the Australian bush, current affairs and events, not to mention a few broken hearts. The new album will include recent singles Far Away From Here​ (recorded with TAFE NSW as a result of winning the People’s Choice Award at the Tamworth Country Music Festival) and You Were There, written in support of Suicide Prevention Australia, the Semi-Final Regional Winner and Grand Finalist in The Official Top Ten Night’s Listen Up Australia! songwriting contest.

Educated at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, the GOLDHEIST story has taken some time to unfold. In early 2014, she toured NSW with her debut release Dust, raising funds and awareness for drought in rural areas. This was her first tour under the moniker GOLDHEIST, leading to further drought relief performances through Centacare New England North West, and followed by appearances at the Quirindi Music Festival, RAW Visionary Melbourne, and a mini-tour to Byron Bay and Murwillumbah. She was the winner of BalconyTV Producers Pick for her live video performance of Wild Things on the rooftop of Sydney Harbour YHA, and in 2015, two GOLDHEIST songs were included in the soundtrack for independent feature film Beijing Being, which was selected for the 39th  Montreal World Film Festival and the NYC Independent Film Festival.

Following the death of her grandfather, the late Right Honourable Malcolm Fraser, she wrote and released The Camellia Tree, a musical tribute to his life and legacy. The subsequent media campaign, widespread radio play, and performance on The Morning Show helped to raise funds and awareness for the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre. This is an ongoing project to which GOLDHEIST lends her voice and her art, contributing to the call for changes to Australia’s controversial policies towards displaced peoples seeking asylum.

You Were There (Original)

Far Away From Here (Original)