Project Description

Interview with

NATALIE CAROLAN

(3rd May 2018)

Interviewer: Chelsea Wood

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Melbourne singer-songwriter, Natalie Carolan is back releasing her first single in over 12 months, I Won’t Move. Marking a significant growth in her songwriting, the single is about vulnerability and frailty; subjects of which accentuate Natalie’s stellar vocal ability.

We recently had a chat with Natalie about the development of I Won’t Move, collaborations, and the influence of Jazz training.

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So, you’re fresh from an extended break and have just released your new single (and video for), I Won’t Move – Welcome back! How’s the reaction been to it so far?

Well thank you. I never really disappeared…I’ve just been working away in the background! The reaction has been really great. The Melbourne music community is a very supportive bunch.

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What’s the story behind the track?

The song was written maybe 4 years ago in a time where I really wanted to get to know someone better, but was also very hesitant to have that experience. I remember when I was writing it, I thought to myself ‘just release this as a piano and vocal track’. I got in touch with Luke Howard who recorded some piano parts and production and later got Gareth Thomson who added some drum parts and a little more production into the mix.

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On I Won’t Move, you’ve collaborated with Luke Howard (who you worked with on I Sleep too) and Gareth Thomson. How did they influence the production of the song? Did their contributions alter the track much from the original?

Collaboration can go a few different ways in terms of direction, but both Luke and Gareth stayed very true to my initial vision, keeping the additional arrangement and production elements sometimes subtle and intimate and at other times, driving and explosive . They’re both amazing, hard working and intuitive musicians and I’d encourage you to check out both of their catalogues as well!

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How did this working relationship develop?

I think I met Luke at a jazz club years ago. I had always admired his playing and I asked him to play on my album, I Sleep, in 2015. I actually got in touch with Gareth to help me out with some drum parts for some demos unrelated to this EP. He mentioned that he had been doing some production for various musicians, and that got the ball rolling. We have created a few more tracks which have headed in a slightly different direction! They probably won’t be released until next year.

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I had a bit of a nose and saw during my research that you’ve studied Jazz in the past – has that impacted your approach to music?

That is correct! I studied jazz performance fresh out of school. I’m so glad for having taken the time to complete my degree, as it opened up a massive sound palette and enabled me to work extensively on my musicianship and meet a stack of incredible teachers and musicians. It’s definitely informed a lot of my decision making musically and whilst I adore the conventional singer-songwriter and popular music genres, my ears will generally crave something a little unique when I listen to music, whether it’s an unusual chord progression, melody, arrangement or vocal sound.

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How would you describe your journey so far as an artist?

That’s a good question. I’m very lucky to have both singing and writing in my life and the feeling of doing both of these things is in isolation or simultaneously is pretty much indescribable! I’ve definitely grown a lot in both of these areas during my 20’s and am sure that they’ll both continue to develop and change. The industry is tough and fickle, but I know that whatever happens, music is in my blood, so I will always be singing and writing.

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There’s a definite contrast between your work on I Sleep to the single I Won’t Move. Has it been a change in the approach to songwriting or just the sound (or both!) that’s led to this? Or were you unaware of it at the time?

Yeah, that’s true. I can’t remember exactly, but I think I wrote I Won’t Move at the time I was finishing off some of the I Sleep album music. I knew I wanted to include it on this EP as it was indicative of the overall ‘feel’ of the songwriting and lyrical narrative I’d already established.

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Do you feel like the sound you’ve created with this single reflects where you are as an artist right now?

Probably not! The process of making and releasing music can be a long and costly one. I’ve probably written an album or two worth of songs since then, so this does feel like an older song, but I wanted to go ahead with the release as I’d invested the time and energy into it and felt it worked as a ‘complete set’ along with the other songs on the EP. I still enjoy singing I Won’t Move and working with Luke and Gareth has refreshed the song to my ears, which is the beauty of creating with others!

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The single itself also shows a vulnerability and a different side to your vocal work. Is this something you’re wanting to explore further with upcoming music?

Yes it is fairly vulnerable and the EP as a whole also has a similar sound. I’d actually really like to move in a different direction in the future. Fuller production and a change of tone in my writing…maybe some strings….but let’s see what happens!

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Is there anyone in particular you’d like to collaborate with (whether it be songwriting or musically)?

Yes! I’ve already collaborated with friends and musicians whom I deeply admire, but the list goes on…and on… and on. Watch this space I say.

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And finally, if this single is anything to go by this year seems like it’ll be a big one for you! What have you got planned for the rest of the year? Any shows or more new music we should listen out for?

Oh, well thank you! I’m excited to be releasing another single next month, along with another film clip I made with my good friends. The song is called Into Myself and is just a solo keys and vocal track. I’ll be doing a launch gig in both Melbourne and Perth. June 14th at The Grace Darling in Melbourne and June 28th at The Rosemount in Perth.

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Connect with NATALIE CAROLAN

Website     Instagram      Facebook      Youtube

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