But soon the chance to travel the world and appear in feature films drew the Lochinvar-raised artist overseas.

In the decade since her captivating role in Cate Shortland’s 2004 drama Somersault, Cornish has continued to play strong, fascinating women on the silver screen.

But her passion for music has never faded.

“Music for me has always been a part of my life, since I was a kid,” Cornish said.

“And it’s never not been part of my life.

“I was about 18 to 22 [years old] when I was in Blades and we were performing and making albums.

“Then acting really took off for me and took me all around the world, and I’ve had such a wonderful time with it.

“But I was missing sharing music – I was making music, but I wasn’t playing it or recording it.

“I wasn’t putting it out into the world and I thought ‘gosh, I really miss doing that’.

“I wondered what it would be like to be a solo artist, so I embarked on that journey.” 

Under the moniker Dusk, Cornish is releasing a six-track EP called Key of the Sun.

The first single, Way Back Home, produced by MC Suffa of Hilltop Hoods, premiered on Triple J last week.

As the track’s title suggests, it is about Cornish’s return to her home country to write music and re-immerse herself in the Aussie hip hop scene.

The 32-year-old reconnected with old friends and reached out to forge new ones.

“I came to Australia about a year-and-a-half ago and spent a month­­ travelling around and hanging out with everyone,” Cornish said.

“It was an amazing time; that’s when I recorded with the [Hilltop] Hoods and Illy, and went over and hung out with Drapht in Perth and ­people like Mantra, and Seth Sentry, and Urthboy and The Herd and Jane [Tyrrell].

“The hip hop community is so strong in Australia.

“There’s no place like home, there really isn’t, so I felt it was a great place to begin this journey.”

Cornish will perform her new music for the first time this week in support of influential Brooklyn rapper Nas, who is touring Australia for the 20th anniversary of his iconic 1994 debut record Illmatic.

“I feel really excited, very prepared and very lucky,” Cornish said.

“I’ve been in a rehearsal room here with DJ Butcher, who I engaged to do the tour with me, and it’s just been so much fun.”

Cornish confirms writing has already begun on a debut full-length Dusk record, with a wealth of new songs already in the works.

“I think it’s like anything in life, if you put your energy and your focus into it it’s going to grow,” she said.

Dusk’s tour with Nas starts tonight in Brisbane.

Limited tickets remain to Thursday night’s show at the Enmore Theatre in Sydney.