The brainchild of Brisbane couple Charles Eddy and Shannon Gracey, Doctor Music was born after Shannon noticed there was a lack of music for early school aged children like their son Lachie.

Shannon and Charles both come from artistic backgrounds and often make up silly songs to help their kids get through the day. It’s amazing how music can quickly lighten their mood or get them to be excited for something that is usually thought of as a mundane task.

At the beginning of the Coronavirus pandemic, both Shannon and Charles were working from home and regularly turned to music to preserve their sanity and create a fun environment for Lachie and his brother Flynn. After a trip to the shops and an empty shelf of raspberry jam due to panic buying, a catchy song about trying apricot jam soon became a flood of ideas and complete songs. Lachie, who was then 4, joined in the songwriting process and often came up with the ideas, a catchy melody, or a funny line.

They have 13 completed songs, 10 of which have rough home demos (which you can hear just over there), and have another 10 nearing completion, with ideas for many more. The demos that were recorded were sent to friends and neighbours for their feedback, which was extremely positive. Their kids couldn’t stop singing and dancing around the house to the songs, and Shannon and Charles realised that there was something more to this music they had created.

Lachie has always had a deep love of music. He suffers from haemophila, a genetic bleeding disorder. From when he was only 18 months old, he nearly lost his life on multiple occasions due to severe gastro-intestinal bleeding. Music has always been like therapy for him, helping to calm him down when he was distressed in hospital about cannulas, tests and needles and also to lift his spirits when he just wanted to go home. Music has the power to guide you through challenges, bring joy to your life and give you the motivation to keep pushing through the tough times. It was these experiences that inspired the name “Doctor Music” for this project.