10 Questions with Sandee Facy

We talk to Point Cook local Sandee Facy, a singer and song writer, who has recently seen her song, Still That Girl, hit #1 on the Australian Country iTunes charts. In our regular feature, 10 Questions, we interview local personalities, about themselves, their passions and what drives them today.

Can you tell us a bit about yourself? Your passion?
Originally from Marysville Michigan I married an Aussie and we have 2 lovely girls, 21 & 24. 

I have always been involved in music, singing professionally for decades and when we moved to Melbourne I bought a children’s music business in the western suburbs (I sold this after 10 years). I enjoy mentoring young people it makes me so happy. 

What was the first job you got out of school, and how did it lead to where you are at now?
After graduating from Michigan State, with a BA in Marketing and Business, I worked for Eastman Kodak. They relocated me to Miami Florida. I lived there in my early 20s and worked in business development for them. I met Pete, my Aussie husband on South Beach in 1992. We were married in Dayboro Qld in 1993 but decided to start our married life in Michigan. 

When it comes to work-life balance, how do you manage it? 
I have always had a full time business roles which I’m grateful for but it isn’t as fulfilling as my music and working with youth. 

Music has been my passion and keeps me sane. I have been in duos, trios and part of a 5 pc band here and Michigan. 

Time management is key for me!!! I used to procrastinate. 

I make free time to enjoy spontaneous activities and self care is so important. Especially as mothers/women we tend to put ourselves last in the family to ensure everyone is taken care of. We need to keep our cups full!! 

Does that passion of yours see any attention, and how?
YES 100%,  I recently resigned from my last corporate role.  I’m currently songwriting and recording full time.  I have released an EP of my original work called, Still That Girl. 

Changing lanes, I have a diploma in Community Services and would love to work for Wyndham City youth as I spent 2020 doing student placement there. 

So what is it that makes you love where you live?
I love the change of season. Melbourne as a city is electric and I’m proudly an Australian citizen. My friends are here and in Queensland. Point Cook is a wonderful melting pot of beautiful cultures. 

If there was one thing that you could change about Wyndham, what would that be?
Traffic management and add lights at dangerous intersections.

Continue the Pop Up Parks as it is an amazing way for community inclusion. I have lots of ideas and have been sharing my music when available. 

What motivated you to go into music?
I was the 4 year old singing into the hair brush. Haha! 

The turning point for me was songwriting. You see, I had been a working muso for 25 years, singing other people’s songs. It is the best way to get bookings etc. I only wrote my very first song, Hummingbird in October 2017. A dear friend, Natalie was losing her battle with Cystic Fibrosis, an incurable lung disease. She passed away just shy of her 21st birthday. On the day she passed, I wrote a song in tribute to her for her family. It wasn’t meant for the public, it is called, Hummingbird. After writing this song, I continued to write and do so even today. It is like a portal of creative ideas opened up for me. 

I took songs to a local producer Michael Zammit who is extremely talented and shared demo songs with him. He told me “under no circumstances should songs be left in my undies drawer.” He gives my music wings!!

So we have been working together ever since. 

What is it that you tap into for your art, and how does it shape your expression?
I’m a spiritual person. I love connecting with nature, hiking, yoga, sound healing etc. Through meditation,  I have intuitive ideas which inspire me. I also collaborate with other writers around the world & did so during lock down. I released 4 singles in 2020. 

I want to continue to pursue this in hopes of a tour at some point. 

It’s been a challenging time this past year, what strategies did you put into place to get through it?
Mental health and well-being is so key. I made sure that I was looking out for not only myself but my Family and Friends. As a family we spent alot of great quality time together and tried not to watch the news daily but worked on puzzles, played music and read books. Reaching out to people online too. 

A Daily Gratitude journal helped me too, especially when it was hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel for us Victorians. Small business and families suffered. Appreciating the little thing in life can help change your mindset.  

I was also getting my Diploma in Community Services so I was able to join Wyndham Youth Services online during the Stage 4 restrictions prior to that I was at the Youth Centre. 

How do you feel about the future?
You are talking with the Eternal Optimist. I choose to see the good in people and I limit my time spent on topics that upset me as going down the rabbit hole is sometimes hard to climb out. I want to be an advocate, I want to be of service to others. My music is a form of expression & a way that I’m able to make a difference utilising my creative skills and experiences.