Well a while back I decided to retire this profile (and I more or less did). I've got another one lurking around (you can find it here if you really want to) and I planned to not write any more blogs in this one.

But then I found something that I really felt I needed to share, and it makes a brilliant finale to the adventure that was RSVPBlogger.

As many of you who may have read my stuff regularly will know, I am a tireless campaigner against the banal and the mediocre, and a champion for anything that is good.

And I found something good. Really good. Quite extraordinary, in fact. So amazing that I will go on record as saying this girl is the best new musical act that this country has produced for around five years.

Her name is Kate Miller-Heidke (pronounced hide-key). She is 25 and she is from Brisbane. She's recently released her first album on Sony (called "Little Eve"). She's tiny, she's blonde, she's cute, and at first glance she appears to be yet another pop princess being churned out of the "pop princess factory".

But a generic pop princess she is not. I went and saw her perform live last week and her show was simply astonishing. And I've been going to see bands and musicians for over 25 years. She was utterly stunning. Seriously. An astounding vocal talent, a superb songwriter, and her music is both highly enjoyable yet delightfully quirky.

Comparisons are difficult to make. The most logical one is to Bjork, although they sing quite differently. But Kate Miller-Heidke has that same sort of dazzling originality.

Her vocal work couldn't be broader in range. At times she will sing in a cute, almost waifish voice. Then out of nowhere she will rock back on her heels and let out one of the most powerful voices I have ever heard. She has had years of operatic training (so much so she was offered a professional role in an opera company).

This first song is her current single - Words. You can find the actual video clip here, but I've found a live version that I think is far more impressive (it's from the morning TV show Sunrise... there's an annoying interview afterwards).

Towards the end of the song you get a glimpse of her vocal power. I love the fact she has a violin in her live band as well.

Here's a clip from Rockwiz (another Oz TV show) that shows both her amazing vocal talent and her brilliant sense of humour. It's called "Career Advice" and contains the immortal lyric "shove it up your Ass-tralian idol". (As a sidenote - I'd be amused to see how many Americans can actually understand half of these lyrics as they are fairly heavy in "Australianisms".

And finally, here is some footage of her singing "Toxic" by Britney Spears at a live gig (it's amateur footage - shot on a handycam). Despite the poor quality of the clip it gives you an idea of just how entertaining she is live.

Now some of you might not find her style appealing at all. That's fine. But I suspect a lot of people will become as enthused about her as I have become. She's nominated for a few ARIA awards (Australian equivalent of a Grammy) and I hope she wins one.

And on that note, let me retire off RSVPBlogger. I'm still blogging as Manning, (over at my new profile) but to a far smaller audience and on even more esoteric topics(!) Chiefly though I'm working on my music.

So thanks for all the fun. If I see you over at my new home then great, and if not - take care and I've enjoyed the ride together.

Manning :)

PS - Here are some Kate Miller Heidke links

Official Site: www.katemillerheidke.com
MySpace page: Kate Miller Heidke on MySpace
Forum: The KMH Web forum