YARRAVILLE artist Rebecca Barnard is one busy woman.

The 48-year-old singer and songwriter has drawn upon nearly 30 years of experience in the music industry to mentor an up-and-coming artist and she has just lent her voice to a CD compilation.

Oh, and she’s currently working on a new album, too.

“I think it’s the best thing I’ve done. I think as you get older you get better, but it’s a catch-22 because the older you get the less important you are in the world,” Ms Barnard said.

“In the music industry in Australia, it’s hard being a middle-aged woman with commitments. I’m not bitter or anything, but it’s ironic that you’re doing the best work you’ve ever did but you probably get less attention than you’re used to.”

The album is expected to be released before Christmas. Ms Barnard said she recorded half of it in New York and is now finishing the album here.

But the work will have to be put on hold at the end of the month when she tours Victoria for the launch of the Naked in the Woods album, a compilation released as part of the Victoria Rocks FreeZA Central initiative.

The album features a mix of music veterans and up and comers.

Ms Barnard was teamed up with 25-year-old singer, songwriter and guitar player Gwendolyn O’Dea to share her experiences of the music industry.

“Basically, what we do is talk a lot, about everything – life, music – and once you do that we talk about her songs and how they could be arranged.

“My main thing I tell her is to just stay true to herself and try not to be manipulated by anyone who thinks she should change how she’s doing something and to plug away and play as much as you can. It’s the only advice you can offer, I think.”

And she would know. In the 1990s, her band Rebecca’s Empire was an indie pop-rock icon. The group appeared on Triple J’s Hottest 100 albums three years in a row.

In 2006, Ms Barnard returned to the music scene with her debut solo album, Fortified.

Ms Barnard will perform with the Naked in the Woods in Hepburn Springs, St Kilda and Meeniyan on 31 July, 1 August and 8 August respectively.