On the Couch with Erin Cornell

Erin-Cornell-AAR-On-the-CouchWho is Erin Cornell?
Erin is a Singer, Actor, Song Writer, Vocal Coach, Fairy disguised as a human.

What would you do differently from what you do now?
More Yoga. Stress less.

Who inspires you and why?
Loreena McKennitt. Her voice and music are so individual, magical and healing. She is quietly and privately known by most of us. She sings to a part of our hearts that we don’t necessarily have to talk about. It feels private and ceremonial. When I listen to her music, it’s like returning to a place and a feeling. An unlocking. Her song Caravanserai was one of the main inspirations of why I started song writing. It relit something in me.

What would you do to make a difference in the world?
Well it starts with ourselves doesn’t it. Being kind to yourself. Working out our muddy ways mentally and then cleaning it up. Calling out when we’re not being our highest self or true. Calling out the bullshit and cleaning it up. Then we can show up fully to others. Then others learn from observing the work we do – it hopefully inspires them to then do the work and so it goes on and spreads. Then everyone heals an element of themselves.

Favourite holiday destination and why?
My heritage, My heart. The ancestral pull when I explore that place is for REAL. Take me back.

When friends come to town, what attraction would you take them to, and why?
In Melbourne it would be The Alfred Nicholas Gardens in the Dandenong Ranges… So incredibly enchanting. Or if in the city, dinner at Movida and a show at my favorite Theatre, since a kid – the Regent Theatre. When I performed there with CATS the musical, I used to enter and leave the stage door geeking out everytime. My little ten-year-old, inner child dream had come true! Also, the architecture of the Regent is simply sublime.

What are you currently reading?
Complete transparency… My L Plates driving book! Yes, I’m 36 and don’t drive… YET!  Also, The Top Five Regrets of the Dying by Bronnie Ware.

What are you currently listening to?
Peter Gabriel, Simple Minds, Kate Bush, Tom Misch, Cymande and my Album, ERIN CORNELL – Spirit of the Deva (on repeat) re-learning the songs for my Album Launch Concert on Monday 3 October at Memo Music Hall. See what I did there with the cheeky plug…

Happiness is?
My Cat Little Stevie Nicks, Meredith Dairy Goats Cheese and A nature walk, drinking good coffee with my partner Blair.

What does the future hold for you?
Singing some incredible music with some incredible musos at Memo Music Hall on Monday 3 October. Back in the recording studio creating and writing more of my Celtic music. Welcoming the theatre roles that align with me. Continue to mentor young artists in how to sustain positively and truthfully in the performing arts industry and allowing myself more white space time to create, spend time with the ones I love, have fun and PLAY.


Erin will celebrate the launch of her debut Album, Spirit of the Deva – an intimate acoustic album celebrating songs from her established stage career and other favourite hits at St Kilda’s Memo Music Hall on Monday 3 October. Spirit of the Deva is now available on all online Music Platforms. For more information, visit: www.erincornell.net for details.

Image: Erin Cornell (supplied)