ALMOST 20 years ago, Beaufort singer-songwriter Max Sharam was the name on everyone's lips.
Her first album
But when the music industry overturned in the 90s, Sharam found herself questioning her future as a recording artist.
Now, after years of self-exploration, the local chanteuse is back and hoping to release a new record at the beginning of next year.
"It's something I had to do," Sharam said.
"It's unfinished business. I've been on the cusp of doing about three albums between the first one and now, and never really followed through.
CLICK TO WATCH A MAX SHARAM MUSIC CLIP FROM THE 90's
"I got a lot of support from old fans wanting more and I thought it was unfair not to do something else."
The new CD will take the form of a concept album exploring a gloomy period when Sharam was in the United States.
She described the album as taking on a "dark fairytale" theme.
"While I was in Los Angeles, there was a whole string of teenage girls being convicted for murder for having babies and then dumping their babies," Sharam said.
"There was this classic story of a girl who went to prom and had her baby in the bathroom cubicle and that really inspired me because it was so Cinderella gone wrong.
"It's sparkly but dark."
Sharam will be recording her new CD independently and recently launched a fundraising campaign for her album, raising almost $9000 so far.
"I've got a burning desire to get out these songs that have been bugging me," she said.
"For years they have been telling me to let them out and I need to give them a chance."