Where are you currently based?
Melbourne, Australia
How did you first start playing music?
My Dad plays guitar and it used to annoy my brother and I so much when we were little kids. Eventually I grew interested in picking it up and as my love of music grew, I started to write songs.
What’s been happening recently?
I’ve been working on my album for a while and just released my first new single in 7 years, which was a daunting but liberating experience. The same week of release I went on tour with Ben Harper around the east coast of Australia. Now I’m securing some headline shows and focusing on completing the album.
Your latest single ‘Beginning’ is out now, what influenced the sound and songwriting?
With this new album, I wanted the story I’m telling to be the absolute focus and allow my voice to fully take over and be the main instrument. A simple, full piano sound is so classic and emotive to me, so when we started writing the chords, the melody and words flowed out with ease.
How did you go about writing Beginning?
Beginning is a love song about the difficulty of letting go when a relationship ends. The album follows a narrative of the beginning, middle and end of this relationship and although the song is titled “Beginning” it essentially marks the beginning of the end. There was a phase in my relationship where I struggled with bargaining to keep him. I was in denial about his treatment of me and allowed my standards and self worth to be compromised. This song is written in that headspace.
Where and when did you record/produce/master and who with?
I wrote and recorded Beginning with my incredible producer and friend Xavier Dunn in Sydney many years ago. It was the first song we made together and it was a turning point for me in terms of collaborating with artists again after writing on my own for a few years.
You’ve just come off a tour with Ben Harper, how was this experience?
Playing shows with Ben is the most fun, thrilling and nerve wrecking experience. I’ve been on several tours with him and they remain some of, if not the absolute highlights of my life. With this East Coast run, the audience was so incredibly welcoming and receptive. Playing those large theatres is an artist’s dream. The sound, the decor, the history… I never wanted it to end.
How does it feel to return to touring?
Touring and playing live is the absolute pinnacle of joy in what I do as a musician. I thrive on stage and allow the music to completely take over. When I get off stage, I love the feeling that I gave it my all and completely emptied the tank. I want to play as much as possible now I am ready and have a tonne of new songs to showcase.
Please tell us about about your upcoming album:
The album conveys the story that took me off the road, out of the studio and into the dark for many years. It’s the story of an emotionally abusive relationship I was in and is the most raw and deliberate collection of stories I’ve ever told. The album will follow this story played out chronologically and ultimately end with my reclamation of self.
Who are you listening to at the moment?
I love to make myself playlists depending on mood or what I’m working on. My current favorites feature Patsy Cline, Peggy Lee and Donny Hathaway. I am also devouring Nina Simone’s To Love Somebody album.
What’s planned for 2023?
I’m going to keep putting songs out for a while, get my name out there again as I continue to finalize the album. When I’m not recording, I will be playing a number of headline shows around Australia. In the later half of the year I have plans to tour internationally supporting another wonderful artist, as well as releasing the new album!
Favourite food and place to hangout?
My morning (and afternoon) routine is an hour at the dog park with my boy Marble. This is the daily hotspot for me. All the owners know each other’s (and their dog’s) names. When I play shows they ask me how they went and follow me on socials, it’s the best little community. Being outside and watching the dogs play and run is so pure and joyous.
