"Everyone (at my school), including the principal's daughter was playing violin, and I think I wanted to as well. It was the `it' instrument.

"But the difference is I'm the only one who's kept going with it.''

Xani is the newest member of My Friend The Chocolate Cake, which performs at the Cardinia Cultural Centre on Friday.

She joined the Aria award-winning band two years ago after a former member discovered her playing at the Spiegeltent outside the Melbourne Arts Centre.

Learning how to make pizza while on tour at Scotland's Edinburgh Fringe Festival has been the highlight of her time in the band.

"The bass player and the drummer are really good cooks, and they taught me how to do it. I never was [a good cook]..''

Xani was amazed by the culture of the Edinburgh festival.

"There's over 900 events on during the festival, and it's hard to get people to attend. So for an Australian musical act I think we did really well.''

Besides touring, she rehearses with another band, The Twoks, for the Melbourne International Arts Festival, and is finishing her thesis at the Victorian College of the Arts.

My Friend The Chocolate Cake plays the Cardinia Cultural Centre on Friday. Cheese platter and wine for two, $20. Bookings: www.cardiniaculturalcentre.com.au or 1300887624.