Adalita | Long Play Series

Singer-songwriter Adalita Srsen is best known as frontwoman of alternative-rock band Magic Dirt. Emerging from the post-punk scene in Geelong in 1991, Magic Dirt was at the forefront of the Australian grunge era and a mainstay at the biggest festivals in the country, performing alongside international acts including Iggy Pop, Smashing Pumpkins and Sonic Youth. The band released 8 studio albums, including their top 10 hit, Friends in Danger (1996) and in 2018 they were inducted into the National Live Music Awards Hall of Fame.
Encouraged by Magic Dirt bandmate and mentor Dean Turner, Adalita embarked on a solo career in 2009 and in 2011 released her critically acclaimed debut album, Adalita. The album was subsequently shortlisted for the Australian Music Prize and won Best Independent Release at the Australian Independent Records (AIR) Awards.
In 2013, Adalita released her follow up album All Day Venus and was named Best Female Artist at the Music Victoria Awards. She continues to be an inspirational figure in the industry extending her involvement to mentoring, acting, film scoring, directing and advocating for animal rights. Her third studio album Inland was released in 2022.
In this interview, Adalita reminisces on playing music in Geelong’s Barwon Club in the 1990s, being a woman in the music industry, and the loss of her bandmate, mentor, manager, and best friend, Dean Turner.
As part of our commitment to capturing and sharing great Australian music stories, the Australian Music Vault asked some of the country’s most influential trailblazers and unsung heroes to open up about their lives in music.
Interviewer: Jane Gazzo
Location: Bakehouse Studios, Richmond 2022

[@setphaser]

It’s so nice to hear about Dean and Daniel and those early days when I was at the gigs, at augogo, gigs at the Punters club. Best memories I have of the 90s

[@JacBadseed]

Beautiful words about Dean. Much love to an absolute goddess Adalita ❤

[@markpourzenic]

Saw Magic Dirt for the first time back in 1994 at The Public Bar in Nth Melbourne, and many, many more times since.
Such a great iconic Australian band that will always bring a smile when I hear their music.
Thank you for this interview, have met the band many times over the years and were always warm and welcoming to me as a fan.
Dean’s legacy will live on forever and Adalita’s solo work is exceptional.

[@australianmusicvault4604]

Thanks for sharing your experiences with Adalita and Magic Dirt, Mark.

[@GaryAskwith1in5]

Didn’t realise I was in Nth Melbourne back then, though never knew where I was much on Sunday mornings….arvo’s after all-nighters in the early 90’s! Loved that after a huge weekend finishing at the Public Bar we could drop into the Victoria Markets for lunch and a little fruit & veg to take home replenishing ourselves before doing it all over again the following week.

[@GoogleUser-nm5vf]

Adalita is an icon, and great at staying relevant and formidable. Why aren't there more rock chicks like A???

[@SurvivingSharksRock]

Icon, absolutely adore her.

[@jasonbeer8818]

First time I saw Magic Dirt was in 1994 . And loved them ever since.

[@AdalitaOfficial]

💋💋💋

[@australianmusicvault4604]

❤❤❤

[@vivianseaton5757]

i heart u adalita

[@benvalentine2534]

I so love the part about Dean - "We should start a band" .."Okay"...so glad that happened.

[@juliegrace8461]

Excellent interview, Jane. You put Adalita at ease within the first few questions and gently steered her into a fascinating review of her life and career thusfar.
I've been listening to 'Inland' daily: there's magic in the dirt of Adalita's most recent creation, as spellbinding and intoxicating a record I've heard in eons.
More power to her.

[@leahandrews5448]

❤

[@Goldenchild-ot1zh]

I had the biggest crush on Adalita as a teenager in the 90’s as a teenager

[@benvalentine2534]

At 45 I still do...dare I admit it. Totally rocking. Loving the new Album.

[@Goldenchild-ot1zh]

Jane too looking great so many years later

[@philliphamilton4782]

Meredith festival think it was mis 90's seen one of the best shows of my life it was magic dirt,screamfeeder,bodyjar,powder monkeys..... just remember adalita strumming power cords with a cigarette in her lips she was so fucking cool! Tripping on mushrooms while listening to friends in danger on repeat was another amazing experience! Thanks for the memories

[@billyshane3804]

Adalita- Good honest Rock'n'roll

[@nadiam5355]

Fantastic interview! ❤

[@australianmusicvault4604]

Thanks for watching ♥

[@rooneyfamily6377]

bit of MD in all of us

[@SadmanStudios]

Great interview.

[@australianmusicvault4604]

Thanks for tuning in, Scottie.

[@weels8965]

Young and full of the devil tour is one of the best things I’ve ever seen in my life. Roxy, Brisbane

[@australianmusicvault4604]

What a great music memory, Roxy. Thanks for sharing.

[@TheHighwayDreams]

Love Magic dirt.. But genderless WTF