Gubbi Gubbi and Butchulla singer-songwriter Arianna is preparing to headline her first show on Tamborine Mountain later this month to raise funds to complete her debut EP.
The indie-folk musician will perform at the Tamborine Mountain Showgrounds on Sunday 29 November, marking her first performance with a full band.
The all-ages event will feature local food trucks and raffle prizes donated by businesses across the mountain, with proceeds supporting the completion of her first EP, due for release in 2027.
For Arianna, the performance marks another milestone in a musical journey that began with singing in choirs and playing guitar in high school.
Her music draws on personal experiences, exploring mental health, relationships and belonging through song writing that balances reflection with optimism.
The Tamborine Mountain-based artist described the themes behind her music.
"The songs I write are a balance of introspection, raw honesty, and optimism - perfect for a summer coastline road-trip, or a venture into the mountains," she said.
"They reflect themes of mental health and my own thought processes in a positive light."
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Arianna's journey as a performer began in 2018, when she started busking at local markets every weekend for three years.
Those early performances led to opportunities at cafes, restaurants and community events, before she began performing in Byron Bay.
In 2023, she turned her attention to writing original music, beginning the process which would eventually lead to her first recorded releases.
The past two years have brought several career milestones, including opportunities to support two musicians whose songs she had performed during her busking days.
She opened for Kyle Lionhart on Tamborine Mountain and Ziggy Alberts at his sold-out Toowoomba show, before joining Blind Corners on tour supporting BROLGA.
The experience also led to her first studio recordings and the independent release of her debut singles, 'Alive' and 'Hearts Collide', in 2026.
Arianna reflected on the significance of those opportunities.
"2025 & 2026 were huge for me!" she said.
"I started off being asked to open shows for two long time idols of mine - Kyle Lionhart in Tamborine Mountain, and Ziggy Alberts's sold out show in Toowoomba - both whose music I had covered for years when I started busking."
The next chapter of her career centres on completing her debut EP, a collection of songs reflecting her experiences navigating her twenties.
Drawing inspiration from artists including Bob Dylan, Sam Fender and Noah Kahan, the project explores finding meaning in everyday life, mental health, belonging and relationships.
For Arianna, the project is an opportunity to share experiences that listeners may recognise in their own lives.
"My EP is very reflective of my own evolution as a gal in her 20s," she said.
"It covers topics like appreciating the mundane, grounding yourself, mental health, belonging, and relationships.
"I wanted to write about topics that are less common in the hope I can make someone feel less alone."
However, completing the EP comes with financial challenges as an independent artist.
Without the support of a record label, Arianna is funding the project through her own work, including live performances, merchandise and music sales.
Her upcoming headline show will give supporters an opportunity to contribute directly to the project while supporting the local music scene.
"Raising money to complete my EP is essential as an independent musician," she said.
"Independent musicians have to self-fund projects, with only the support of their work (shows, merch, music sales), and generally limited funding opportunities to assist.
"This fundraiser allows those who have cheered me on along my journey to be able support the next stage of my career - a new band show and full body of work."
Beyond funding the EP, Arianna hopes the event will encourage people to support local musicians and businesses, helping maintain regular arts events across the region.
Her first headline show will take place at Tamborine Mountain Showgrounds on Sunday 29 November, with children under 12 admitted free.
Tickets are now available via Humanitix.
