Nearly three decades after releasing one of Australia’s most beloved pop records, ARIA Award-winning duo Bachelor Girl today unveil Waiting For The Day: Artist Sessions – a breathtaking reimagining of their landmark 1998 debut album, available everywhere now.
Developed, produced and realised independently over two years, the ambitious project brings together an extraordinary lineup of Australian music royalty, with collaborations from Darren Hayes, Guy Sebastian, Delta Goodrem, Jessica Mauboy, Tommy Emmanuel, Ella Hooper, Sheppard, Jack Jones, Suze DeMarchi, Jon Stevens, Michael Paynter, NERVO, Courtney Act, WILSN and Kaylee Bell.
Tania Doko says the songs have taken on a new life with ‘Waiting for the Day – Artist Sessions’, a complete reimagining of the record featuring an impressive lineup of guest artists. Speaking with Australian Musician editor Greg Phillips, Doko explained that the ambitious project had been in the works for several years, with the biggest challenge not being convincing artists to take part, but coordinating schedules, labels, managers and recording sessions spread across the globe.
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The first artist approached was long-time friend Tommy Emmanuel, whose connection to Bachelor Girl stretches back to the 1990s when James Roche toured with him. While an acoustic album with Emmanuel never eventuated, he enthusiastically joined the project, appearing on a dramatically reworked version of “Blown Away” alongside Ella Hooper. From there the guest list continued to grow organically, drawing on friendships and collaborations built over three decades in the music industry. Artists including Delta Goodrem, Darren Hayes, Jessica Mauboy, John Stevens, Suze DeMarchi, Courtney Act and NERVO all brought their own personalities to the songs.
Rather than simply adding guest vocals to the original recordings, Roche and Doko completely reinvented each track. Doko said the pairing of songs and artists often evolved alongside Roche’s fresh production ideas. “Blind”, for example, took on a far more electronic direction that immediately appealed to Darren Hayes, while “My World” became a funky, electronic pop track that naturally led to George Sheppard’s involvement. Doko described Roche as the driving force behind the new sonic direction while she contributed ideas as executive producer, helping shape arrangements that transformed familiar songs into contemporary recordings.
Recording the album became an international exercise. While Doko worked in person with artists including Delta Goodrem, Jessica Mauboy and Suze DeMarchi, many contributors recorded remotely. Tommy Emmanuel tracked his guitar in Nashville, Darren Hayes sent vocals from Los Angeles, Courtney Act recorded in Brighton, England, and Doko even joined some sessions via FaceTime. She said hearing these distinctive voices alongside her own had become one of the most rewarding aspects of the project, with each collaboration influencing the way she now hears and even sings the songs.
One of the biggest surprises came from NERVO’s reworking of “Mad About You”. Although Doko has known the sisters for almost 30 years and admired their success as international DJs and songwriters, she singled out Mim NERVO’s vocal performance as one of her favourite moments on the album, praising its vulnerability and modern melodic approach.
Revisiting material written as a teenager proved an emotional experience. Doko believes the new recordings celebrate both the songwriter she was and the artist she has become, arguing that genuinely well-written songs can survive almost any stylistic makeover. Tracks such as “Mad About You” and “Treat Me Good” demonstrate how timeless songwriting can take on new emotional meanings, with Jessica Mauboy finding personal resonance in the latter during a pivotal point in her own career.
The album concludes with the title track, performed only by Doko and Roche with a string section. Although there was temptation to invite another guest artist, Doko said she instinctively felt the album should finish with just the two original members of Bachelor Girl, providing an intimate and reflective conclusion to the project.
Looking back at the original Waiting for the Day sessions, Doko recalled that the album was largely recorded in James Roche’s lounge room-an unconventional approach in 1998 that ultimately earned the pair an ARIA Award for Producer of the Year. Using a home studio funded by their advance from BMG allowed them to work at their own pace, a luxury she remembers fondly.
With the new album arriving on August 7, Bachelor Girl are taking the material on the road with a four-piece electronic live band featuring Roche, long-time keyboardist Janine Maunder and drummer Cam McGlinchey. After successful warm-up shows in regional Victoria, the duo are embarking on a national tour with more regional dates planned, while also continuing to appear at major multi-artist events around Australia.
Reflecting on her career, Doko said her greatest achievement has been her willingness to continually reinvent herself. Moving to Sweden to focus on songwriting for other artists, returning to Australia to revive Bachelor Girl, and mentoring emerging musicians have all helped keep her creatively energised. She believes musicians need to continually challenge themselves, embrace change and, above all, never lose touch with the joy of making music.
BACHELOR GIRL – WAITING FOR THE DAY REDUX TOUR DATES
SAT 08 AUG | BRUNSWICK BALLROOM, MELBOURNE VIC | 18+ | SOLD OUT
Tickets available from www.moshtix.com.au | 1300 GET TIX | All Moshtix Outlets
SUN 23 AUG | THE TRIFFID, BRISBANE QLD | 18+
Tickets available from www.moshtix.com.au | 1300 GET TIX | All Moshtix Outlets
FRI 28 AUG | THE GOV, ADELAIDE SA | 18+
Tickets available from www.oztix.com.au | | All Oztix Outlets
FRI 04 SEP | CUBE 37 FRANKSTON ARTS CENTRE, FRANKSTON VIC | ALL AGES U15s W ADULT I SOLD OUT
Tickets available from https://artscentre.frankston.vic.gov.au/Home
SUN 18 OCT | THE FACTORY THEATRE, SYDNEY NSW | 18+
Tickets available from https://www.factorytheatre.com.au/ | (02) 7208 4482 | Century Box Office
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