REVEALS NEW SINGLE ‘ON MY SIDE’ WITH VIDEO FROM DEBUT ALBUM, RESERVOIR + SUPPORTING ASGEIR LATER THIS MONTH
Having just returned to Australia from a two month tour abroad, and following on from two sold out intimate homecoming shows in Sydney and Melbourne last week, local songstress Gordi today unveils a second single from her debut album Reservoir, titled ‘On My Side’.
Premiering on triple j yesterday afternoon, ‘On My Side’ was co-produced with Tim Anderson (Solange/ Banks) and brought together over several months between Los Angeles, Sydney and Eau Claire in Wisconsin. Previous Gordi collaborator, Francois Tetaz (Gotye) mixed the song. The infectious single comes complete with a striking, cinematic video directed by Kris Moyes. The video was filmed at Salton Sea in the Californian desert during Gordi’s recent US tour last month and features an impassioned performance from the artist herself.
“We started recording ‘On My Side’ with Tim in LA, when I had laryngitis. We had two days to do two songs and managed to get it done, minus the vocals. I did still do a vocal take but I had to sing half of the song an octave lower. You can hear what we call the ‘laryngitis vox’ in parts of the song if you listen closely.
“I wrote the song about being incapable of telling someone that I needed them, ‘sending my words silently’ through lyrics instead. I wanted the video to represent not only the message of this song, but the album in its entirety. This idea of guiding someone through your ‘reservoir’ – your inner most place. I don’t think you can tell someone how to get there, you have to take them to that place yourself. And shooting in the Californian desert in 43 degrees was certainly testing!”
– Sophie Payten aka Gordi‘On My Side’ follows on from the release of ‘Heaven I Know’ from the Canowindra-born medical student’s debut album Reservoir, which is due for release globally on August 25 (via Liberation Music for Australia/ New Zealand and Jagjaguwar for the rest of the world). ‘Heaven I Know’ worked its warm charm globally. Locally, it received airplay on triple j, FBI and community radio, and it was added to a plethora of Spotify and Apple Music playlists globally; already up to 430,000 streams on Spotify since its release 4 weeks ago. The song also received high praise online:
“The first peek at the Australian’s debut album is a carefully constructed emotional affair” – DIY Magazine
‘Cinematic’ – The Line of Best Fit
‘A lush piano based ballad’ – triple j
Reservoir was written by Payten and co-produced alongside Tim Anderson, Ali Chant (Perfume Genius/PJ Harvey) and Alex Somers (Sigur Ros). It was recorded across studios in Reykjavik, Los Angeles, New York and Sydney, as well as Bon Iver’s April Base in Wisconsin.
To say that the past few years have been hectic for Gordi is somewhat of an understatement. In between completing a medical degree which saw her juggling a rigorous study schedule with exams and hospital placements, and releasing a world renowned EP Clever Disguise, Gordi somehow also found the time to work on her debut album and tour the globe several times over. In amongst all that, she caught the attention of her labelmates Bon Iver who asked her to perform backing vocals for them on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at the tail end of last year. She has also been nominated for a J Award and two FBI SMAC Awards, and was crowned triple J’s Unearthed Most Played Artist in 2015.
Following her upcoming performances with Asgeir in July and one last hospital placement over the next four weeks, Gordi will return to Canada and the US for further touring leading into Reservoir’s release.
‘Exceptional’ – Clash
‘An anthemic song’ – Sterogum
‘More vibrant than ever’ – NPR
‘On My Side is Gordi at her most infectious to date’ – Hilly Dilly
Tickets on sale now & available here
AUS + INTERNATIONAL TOUR DATES
Fri 21 Jul | Enmore Theatre, Sydney (w/ Asgeir) (Licen. All Ages)
Mon 24 Jul | The Forum, Melbourne (w/ Asgeir) (18+)
Tue 25 Jul | Astor Theatre, Perth (w/ Asgeir) (18+)
Sat 5 Aug | Osheaga Festival, Montreal, Canada
Sun 6 Aug | The Drake, Toronto, Canada
Mon 7 Aug | Great Scott, Allston, MA
Wed 9 Aug | Baby’s All Right, NY
Thu 10 Aug | Johnny Brenda’s, Philadelphia, PA
Fri 11 Aug | Songbyrd, Washington, DC
Sat 12 Aug | Schubas, Chicago, IL
Mon 14 Aug | Barboza, Seattle, WA
Tue 15 Aug | Café du Nord, San Francisco, CA
Thu 17 Aug | Resident, Los Angeles, CA
Thu Aug 31 | The Tivoli, Brisbane (w/ Gang of Youths) (18+)
Fri Sep 1 | The Tivoli, Brisbane (w/ Gang of Youths) (18+)
Wed Sep 6 | Festival Hall, Melbourne (w/ Gang of Youths) (Licen. All Ages)
Fri Sep 8 | Hordern Pavilion, Sydney (w/ Gang of Youths) (Licen. All Ages)
Thu 2 Nov | Iceland Airwaves, Reykjavik, REK
Mon 6 Nov | Omeara, London, UK
