Where are you currently based?
Currently living in Greater Geelong. Grew up here and am living here currently as my Dad isn’t in the best of health, so being near family (and the beach) is great but I really miss Melbourne, especially the local Thornbury music community where I lived in 2019.
How did you first start playing music?
Classical piano lessons were forced upon me as a kid, I called quits many times only to find myself writing my own songs, then wanting singing lessons, and then returning to lessons again. I really do value the skills I obtained from learning classical music. I always played music at high school in an array of different bands and projects.
What’s been happening recently?
It’s been amazing to have been able to ‘get the band back together’ so to speak. During lockdowns I didn’t really play much music, but earlier this year decided I should see if I could find someone local, especially to play my new material. Shoutout to Rael, who has been rocking up to practices these last six months, and of course my amazing bassist and main Tetris packer of 5+ years, Simon. He never lets me down. I really like playing as a three piece, but think we need a live guitarist too.
We also played in Ballarat at Volta on Thursday 3rd Nov and the feedback we got was overwhelmingly positive, which was such a relief! It was a good feeling especially for our first launch show.
Your latest single ‘Bloom’ is out now, what influenced the sound and songwriting?
Artists such as Broods and Lorde really influenced ‘Bloom’ itself. It’s definitely on the more pop side, but I find my songs generally fit across multiple genres, including indie and alt rock. It just depends how I’m feeling!
How did you go about writing Bloom?
‘Bloom’ was born from an impromptu jam, if I recall Simon was actually playing drums and I was on keys. Think this sometimes gets me pumped up a little more than if we were both playing melodic instruments.
Where and when did you record/produce/master and who did you work with?
Produced and recorded in July 2019 – feels like a lifetime now to be honest with the wonderful Joel Quartermain (Eskimo Joe).
What or who influenced the concept for the music video?
Video concept was a tricky one; I really wanted to steer away from flowers (this was definitely not what I was going for from the early inception of the song) and there are a few songs with the same title already.
Who did you work with to create the music video?
I sourced a local Geelong company called True South Film and it was directed by the wonderful James Duggan. He was very efficient and I felt really comfortable working with him. I knew from the beginning he was going to come up with something really special from seeing his previous work, as I really struggled with the visual side of things!
Please tell us about the most challenging and rewarding aspects of creating the music video?
I hadn’t made a clip in a really long time, so I felt a little rusty! Iit was a freezing night, and we finished really late. I really love the colours and the vintage lenses they used. Aiden Mair (DOP) is also very talented and could see how much he loves his work.
Who are you listening to at the moment?
I saw Hayley Mary live recently in Queenscliff and she blew me away. I already knew how great she was, but I am loving her solo stuff. I may have fangirled a bit at the merch bar. I am also loving a few Italian artists I’d dare say you’ve never heard of (Pinguini Tattici Nucleari/Mahmood); I really want to improve my Italian as I wish to travel (and perform there) as soon as possible as I have friends and family in Milan and in Tuscany. I have to say I am also digging Sam Smith’s new track with Kim Petras.
What’s planned for the remainder of 2022 going into 2023?
We’ve got a hometown show at the Door Gallery Café on November 19, but I am hanging out to play in Melbourne again, most likely in the new year. Please keep an eye out as I plan to drop another track ready to drop early 2023, so there will be more shows to play then too!
Favourite food and place to hangout?
My favourite all time food is a bowl of gnocchi with a bangin’ ragu. If I could choose anywhere to hang out it would be in Brisbane with my Brisbane babes Bri and Amelia whom I met at Bigsound in 2017 in an elevator to the then Rooftop bar 11. I’m really glad I took that wrong turn or the friendship may not have ever occurred!!!!
BELLA DEER ‘BLOOM’ LAUNCH SHOWS
Saturday 19th November Door Gallery Cafe Fyansford
BLOOM is out now.
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