PARKER ANNOUNCES NEW SINGLE & VIDEO ‘CAN’T KEEP WAITING’ + ARTIST RESIDENCY & EXHIBITION ‘YOU, ME AND THAT OTHER THING’ AT SAWTOOTH ARI
Gifted visual artist, songwriter and musician PARKER has today announced her iridescent new single Can’t Keep Waiting, a once-in-a-lifetime song, one that soundtracks a grand leap into the unknown and away from everything comfortable and safe, set for release today, October 4. PARKER has also announced a cinematic video clip to accompany the track, made in collaboration with director and technology artist Jaymis Loveday (Emma Louise, Ball Park Music) and sculptor Briony Law. PARKER has just completed an artist residency at Sawtooth ARI gallery alongside drawer and sculptor Jo Lane, in order to prepare their upcoming exhibition You, Me and that Other Thing, an exploration into human connection. The official opening of You, Me and that Other Thing will take place today, Friday October 4 from 6PM at Sawtooth ARI in Tasmania (running for one month), and will include a screening of the Can’t Keep Waiting video clip.
Can’t Keep Waiting is transcendental, meditative; at times it feels almost ambient, with heavy, industrial percussion and repetitive synth patterns. But one thing that pulls the track into a truly close, emotive space is PARKER’s soft, intimate yet commanding voice. Evocative of Massive Attack and the lyrical and vocal prowess of Lana Del Rey, Can’t Keep Waiting is epic and overflows with the power of primal human emotion. “Can’t Keep Waiting is about gathering the courage to be honest with myself. It’s about letting go of all that is safe and familiar in life in order to evolve and grow,” explains Parker. “I believe it’s in the moments when we feel completely lost that we find the opportunity to discover something new about ourselves. Nothing is permanent, everything can change. Each moment we have the ability to create ourselves anew.”
Already receiving multiple accolades, including Best Concept at Clipped Music Video Festival in Sydney, Best Music Video at the Los Angeles Film Awards, New York Film Awards and Top Shorts, not to mention selection for screening at the Austria International Film Festival, the clip for Can’t Keep Waiting is a triumph of a true marriage between sound, visual art, and cinema. Made by PARKER, in collaboration with Jaymis Loveday and Briony Law, the clip sees clay mounds, turning gracefully to human forms, dissolving in a deep-seascape with very little light from above. PARKER displays a clear and intricate understanding of her art, as she describes the clip, “The clip concept for this song was born out of a video installation work I made called Dissolving Self. Dissolving Self was a projection installation of a video art work. The video was a of a clay cast of my face dissolving in water set on a loop that made it look like it was falling apart and then rebuilding. I showed the work to my friend Jaymis Loveday and he suggested we make an extension of the work by creating full body casts and miniature models using a larger tank and cinematography techniques in the filming. Brisbane based sculptor Briony Law worked closely with me on the sculpting of the plaster landscapes and made all of the body casts and moulds for us to create the figures.”
You, Me and that Other Thing is the title of the upcoming exhibition that will see PARKER and Jo Lane explore the many facets of human connection. The exhibition will consist of three parts: historic works where inspiration has already manifested, a transition piece, and the work from an experimental performance of unity. PARKER and Jo Lane have spent the last two weeks in residency at Sawtooth ARI, working side by side in a dedicated studio space where the exhibition will take place. Giving her audience a taste of what to expect from the exhibition, PARKER enthuses, “We will create a body of work together around the theme of human connection combining Jo’s skills in drawing and sculpting and mine in sound and video. The Exhibition will combine a collection of our existing works and the new work we make during the residency.”
PARKER is Tash Parker.
Can’t Keep Waiting is set for release today, October 4 and the You, Me and that Other Things exhibition will take place today at Sawtooth ARI at 6pm (October 4)
YOU, ME AND THAT OTHER THING EXHIBITION OPENING
FRI 4 OCT | SAWTOOTH ARI, LAUNCESTON TAS | 18+ | FREE ENTRY
SHELLEY SEGAL SHARES NEW SINGLE NO AHEAD OF NEW EP HOLY SET FOR RELEASE ON NOVEMBER 1
LA-based songwriter Shelley Segal has today announced her latest single No, a modern, bold and assertive track that describes the difficulty many women face when turning down sexual advances, out now. Shelley has also announced her masterful new EP Holy, a masterclass in intimate lyricism and exciting, innovative Americana, set for release on November 1. The Australian musician has been living and working in Los Angeles for three years, writing and recording Holy in the US while touring and collaborating on a host of noteworthy artistic projects.
No has a sentiment that will ring true for many women who have found themselves in a situation where it was almost impossible to say the word. Driving guitars and textured percussion propel the track forward with serious attitude, while Shelley’s honeyed vocals carve a stunning melody on top. Speaking on the inspiration behind this important track, Shelley explains, “No is a song about consent and the subtleties surrounding it. It describes three different scenarios in which the protagonist finds it difficult to say no to sexual advances. I wrote the song because even though it’s 2019 and so many women feel comfortable asserting themselves and speaking up for themselves, and even though there has been so much public discourse and progress on these issues, there are still scenarios where it feels hard to say ‘no’. You can find yourself in a situation that you don’t want to be in and yet be unable to express that. It’s not always easy in the moment to process the potential consequences that may come from your reaction. Like the examples in the song for instance, in a work environment, in the street with a stranger. Saying ‘no’ can create adverse outcomes like risking your job, or your safety. This discussion around consent is not as straightforward as maybe we would like it to be and I wanted to reflect on those nuances.”
No is the first taste of Shelley Segal’s glorious new EP Holy. This is an artist who has truly found her feet; Holy Man shines with energetic roots, rock riffs, skilled arrangement and Shelley’s undeniable lyrics and beautiful vocal performance. San Antonio tugs at the heartstrings, a simple acoustic track with a deeply affecting message, while Holy is steeped in attitude and power, as Shelley sings, “I believe my body is beautiful, and it belongs to me.” The EP was recorded in Brooklyn at Atomic Sound Studios with Dakota Bowman and Merle Chornuk (Tandy, Ryan Adams), it was produced and co-written (3 songs) with New York producer, guitarist and film composer Askold Buk and was mastered by Ted Jensen (Norah Jones, Dave Matthews). Speaking on the making of the release, Shelley enthuses, “I’ve been working on the songs for this record for over the last three years – since 2016, the year I moved to the US. I’ve called the ep ‘HOLY’ which felt like a really powerful statement. In the Jewish tradition I grew up in, what was holy was dictated to me. Which words, items and actions and even which people were holy was dictated to me. To elevate my life, my songs, my experiences and my voice (which was not allowed to be heard unaccompanied in my synagogue), to call them holy is incredibly empowering. It’s a challenge to those who want to use concepts of holiness and the sacred to create hierarchies, often placing themselves at the top. I hope it will inspire people to decide for themselves what is holy and sacred to them.”
Shelley has been living and working in the US since 2016, and in between touring the country and writing music for her own project, Shelley has done everything from writing for musicals, for Estonian pop star ELYSA, and Dutch artist Glennis Grace, among others. She has also worked tirelessly for charity group One Law For All, writing two songs for the organisation and reciving the CEMB Award (Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain) for her contributions. Always busy with multiple thought-provoking projects on the go at once, Shelley is currently working on the music for a documentary (entitled Transmission Love) about a young transgender girl growing up in LA, as well as a conservation-themed EP with a science educator and biologist about the Puget Sound Watershed in Washington State.
No is out October 4. Holy is out November 1.
Praise for Shelley Segal
An Australian singer/songwriter now living in California, Segal sings with pain and purpose. Her music builds out of a woman and her guitar, incorporating additional instrumentation as needed but consistently coming from a familiar place – that heartfelt home, be it physical or musical. http://atwoodmagazine.com/sshr-shelley-segal-here/
SCOTT DARLOW ANNOUNCES NEW SINGLE & VIDEO FORGOTTEN AUSTRALIA
Australian and proud Yorta Yorta descendent Scott Darlow has today announced his affecting new single Forgotten Australia, a true anthem that encourages listeners to reconnect with the Australia that once warmly welcomed all people, out today, October 7. Scott has also dropped a video to accompany the song, fittingly highlighting the beauty of the melting pot that is Australia. Forgotten Australia is the perfect complement to Scott’s passionate endeavours as an Indigenous educator and World Vision spokesperson. In 2018, alongside Triple M’s head of content Michael Fitzpatrick, Scott spearheaded the charity supergroup The Drought Breakers (featuring Sarah McLeod, Adam Brand, Jack Jones and Todd Hunter) and recorded well known Dragon song Rain. Released by Sony Music Australia, all proceeds were donated to Buy a Bale to assist drought-stricken farmers. Scott’s love for Australia is evident in his recent single releases, with songs about Indigenous issues, our famers and multicultural Australia which all received Australia-wide airplay. Scott Darlow is currently supporting Jimmy Barnes on tour and will be opening for Eskimo Joe’s national tour over the next few months.
Forgotten Australia was co-written by Scott and Aussie rock royalty Kav Temperley and Joel Quartermain of Eskimo Joe – and these three songwriting auteurs have crafted an incredibly poignant and hooky track here. The lyric ‘Do you remember the forgotten Australia?’ will send shivers up even the most stoic spine, and as this powerful track washes over the listener, it’s impossible to remain unaffected by its message. The song boldly yields its sentiment and lyrics from the Australian national anthem – “They say we’ve got boundless plains to share, yet you say were full, you’re telling me to watch the oceans, but that’s how we became young and free”. And Scott isn’t afraid to speak his mind on this topic, fervently explaining, “As an Aboriginal man I find the current anthem distressing. It doesn’t represent me or my people, and I love that I’ve taken some of the lyrics to illustrate the hypocrisy that Australia can often harbour.” Offering more insight into the song, Scott says, “My Aboriginal ancestors were welcomed by Mother Earth, and they thrived and survived. Then each wave of migrants were welcomed here and they had a place to start again and thrive. Now, all of a sudden, we see a bunch of people telling newcomers that we’re full and that they can’t be here! This song is about saying ‘do you remember when we were a country who loved and welcomed everyone?’ And how good is that melting pot?!”
Once again teaming up with Curtis Reeder from R&H Media (Reeder also traveled across Australia with Scott to film his video for Solid Rock which has now amassed over 350,000 views), the video for Forgotten Australia is a personal one for Scott, “It’s just me singing to camera in my favourite spots around Melbourne – which also happen to highlight the beauty of Australia and the beauty of the melting pot. We have scenes at Middle Park beach, the Melbourne Zoo, Lygon Street, Londsdale Street, Chinatown, the Vic Market, Bourke Street Mall, I wanted to offer viewers a glimpse of ‘the real Australia’”.
Even with over 50,000 album sales under his belt, the skilled songwriter, guitarist and didgeridoo player is much more than an independent musician. Scott Darlow regularly speaks in schools, businesses, jails and churches across Australia, educating audiences about everything that has happened in Australia since 1770 from an Indigenous perspective. He covers topics such as genocide, land displacement, the Stolen Generation, the Australian constitution and the Flora and Fauna act, missions, segregation, education policy, and white Australia, alongside musical performances and conversational banter. Speaking on his passion for this work and offering incredible insight into his cause, Scott Darlow says, “The history lesson that I give during my presentations helps join the dots, and helps audiences to understand why we now live in a country that sees First Nation men die a decade younger than everyone else, why our Indigenous kids are ten times more likely to go to prison than to finish school, and why we don’t see nearly enough First Nation people finishing school or going to uni. It completely helps explain why the gap isn’t closing – and that understanding leads to empathy.”
Forgotten Australia is available today, October 7.