Kate Ceberano Takes Us Behind Her 1990 Rolling Stone Cover Shoot

In Partnership with Shure

The year was 1990. Australia’s music scene was buzzing with the energy of a new decade, and Kate Ceberano was at the heart of it. That August, the multi-talented singer, songwriter, actress, author, and visual artist graced the cover of Rolling Stone Australia in a feature titled “Behind Bedroom Eyes: The Real Kate Ceberano.” 

The cover, shot by Grant Matthews, wasn’t just another glamorous portrayal of a rising star – it was an intimate dive into the mind and spirit of a woman navigating her place in a rapidly evolving industry. 

In fact, Ceberano not only starred on the cover, she also penned the accompanying feature article, writing: “Rolling Stone wants the real Kate, the real me, from my most saintly philosophical views down to the hardcore dirt.” 

In the latest episode of ‘Behind The Rolling Stone Cover’, sponsored by Shure, Rolling Stone AU/NZ Editor-in-Chief Poppy Reid sits down with Ceberano to revisit her iconic 1990 cover and relive the stories and reflections that have shaped her four-decade-long career. 

For Ceberano, looking back at the cover is an exercise in nostalgia. “I’m at an age now when nostalgia is something I embrace,” she tells Reid. “You deflect your former image of who you were and you’re trying to out-innovate yourself. But now, looking back, I’m loving it.”

The cover, a sensual and somewhat theatrical portrayal of Ceberano in the bath, captured her at a pivotal moment – she was on the cusp of global recognition, a jazz singer turned pop sensation who was unafraid to explore the depths of her identity. On her inspiration for the shoot, Ceberano reveals that her approach was heavily influenced by her love of Italian and French art films, particularly those by Fellini and featuring iconic figures like Sophia Loren. “I was like, welcome to the intimate community of me and my bath, and me in a towel, with nothing else between you and me.”

It turns out, that bath was one of the only things she regrets. “It seems too stagey for me,” she confesses. “When I look at myself in the bath, I just wished that I had, rather than fucking around with my hair and put a wig on, I would have just let my hair be natural.”

Ceberano’s reflections on her cover extend beyond aesthetics; they touch on deeper themes of feminism and the role of women in the music industry. The 1990 article she wrote herself, tackled topics like sexism, the shifting perceptions of women, and her personal views on sexuality.

“I’ve always behaved publicly as if I were acting a role, creating a character,” she wrote. “I see myself as someone from the outside. And from that viewpoint, I can be in control.” This conscious crafting of her public persona was, in part, a response to the industry’s expectations, but it was also a way for her to navigate the complexities of being a woman in a male-dominated space. 

As the conversation unfolds, it becomes clear that one of Ceberano’s greatest strengths is her authenticity. 

She acknowledges the strides made by previous generations of women, who paved the way for the limitless opportunities available to women today. “I have never felt constrained or limited by men in my lifetime or the need to compromise in order to succeed, and I thank these women for that,” she says.

“Being an artist, exploring the what ifs and deep diving into my imagination… Your imagination is so private, it’s your playground, you should have free access to control it and play. If I could own that space, I would never feel trapped.” 

Keen to see Kate Ceberano live? The singer is gearing up for a nationwide tour this October with Jon Stevens in the highly anticipated ‘Superstars Live’ show, where these legendary Aussie artists will perform their greatest hits on stage together. Head to superstarslive.show to get tickets. 

‘Behind The Rolling Stone Cover’ is sponsored by Shure, the premier choice for affordable, durable, and exceptional-sounding microphones. With a history of audio innovation spanning for almost a century, Shure has turned a passion for making great microphones into an unparalleled legacy of audio innovation. 

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