Australian guitarist, singer and songwriter Kathleen Halloran is preparing to release her debut album Nobody’s Baby (out Friday May 8) with a mix of excitement, gratitude and relief after what she describes as a marathon journey. Speaking with Greg Phillips for Australian Musician Magazine, Halloran reflected on the lifelong dream that led to the record, revealing that even as a ten year old making rough home recordings, she imagined herself one day becoming an original recording artist. While her early years became dominated by guitar playing and touring as a side musician, she explained that over the last five years the desire to create her own music “completely took over,” eventually leading to the deeply personal and sonically ambitious Nobody’s Baby.
Watch our interview below.
MORE ABOUT THE INTERVIEW
Halloran credited producer Roscoe James Irwin with helping shape the album’s expansive sound, saying the pair shared a vision to bring greater colour, texture and emotional depth to songs that had previously evolved in a more stripped-back live setting. Known primarily as a dynamic live performer, Halloran said the studio process opened up new creative possibilities through layered instrumentation, string arrangements and atmospheric production techniques that have already begun influencing her future live shows. Songs such as “Stolen Night,” “Cost of Living,” “Heal Me” and “Free With Me” were elevated through Irwin’s orchestral arrangements, while engineer and guitarist Ben Edgar helped craft a wide palette of guitar tones using a combination of amps and direct recording techniques.
Although Halloran has long been recognised as an exceptional guitarist, she spoke candidly about the challenges of stepping into the role of lead vocalist. Rather than relying on formal vocal training, she deliberately threw herself into demanding performance situations, playing more than 100 singing gigs a year in order to build confidence and develop her voice on stage. She admitted she still feels self-conscious about her singing at times, particularly when surrounded by world-class vocalists, but said she has embraced the process and continues to grow more comfortable inhabiting the role of frontwoman.
A major highlight of the album is the emotionally charged duet “Heal Me,” co-written with Adelaide musician Dusty Lee Stephensen. Halloran explained that the pair began writing together late at night while working on a Led Zeppelin show in Adelaide, with ideas flowing into the early morning hours. Their collaboration eventually evolved into both “Heal Me” and “Wolves Like You,” with many of the original demo elements surviving onto the final album recordings. Stephensen also contributed backing vocals across the record, adding another layer to the album’s rich vocal arrangements.
Beyond the music itself, Halloran discussed the importance of the visual identity surrounding Nobody’s Baby, praising creative collaborator Wilk for helping her overcome her discomfort with photography and video work. She described him as instrumental in building the album’s visual world, from music videos and artwork through to tour promotion and merchandise design. Halloran also acknowledged the enormous influence of longtime collaborator Kate Ceberano, whose mentorship and friendship have helped her grow in confidence as both a performer and artist.
With the album now complete and released on Friday May 8, Halloran said her immediate focus is fully committed to bringing Nobody’s Baby to audiences on tour, including appearances at the Echuca-Moama Winter Blues Festival. While international touring remains a longer-term ambition, she said the experience of making the album has clarified her artistic direction and strengthened her determination to continue developing her own voice as a songwriter and performer.
Listen to Nobody’s Baby here (out Friday May 8, 2026): https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/kathleenhalloran/nobodys-baby/
KATHLEEN HALLORAN ‘NOBODY’S BABY’ AUSTRALIAN TOUR
TICKETS AVAILABLE HERE
SATURDAY MAY 9 | TALLAGANDRA HILL WINERY, CANBERRA ACT
THURSDAY MAY 14 | THE VANGUARD, SYDNEY NSW
WEDNESDAY MAY 20 | MOJOS, PERTH WA
THURSDAY MAY 21 | THE JUNK BAR, BRISBANE QLD
THURSDAY MAY 28 | THE WHEATSHEAF, ADELAIDE SA
FRIDAY MAY 29 | NORTHCOTE SOCIAL CLUB, MELBOURNE VIC
SATURDAY MAY 30 | LIVE @ THE BUNDY, SALE VIC
SUNDAY MAY 31 | PIANO BAR, GEELONG VIC
THURSDAY JUNE 4 | THE COSMO, TRENTHAM VIC
Also appearing at Winter Blues Festival 2026 – Echuca-Moama 23-26 July, 2026
https://winterblues.com.au/
GET SOCIAL WITH KATHLEEN HALLORAN INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK | TIKTOK | WEBSITE | SPOTIFY | APPLE | YOUTUBE