Golden Guitar-nominated Melbourne powerhouse singer songwriter Gretta Ziller has just released her anticipated dazzling third album, All These Walls. With an extensive tour completed, Gretta now looks to a string of performances set for Americana Fest in Nashville this month before returning for the Deni Ute Muster.
Thrilled to have her third body of work releasing to the world, Ziller beams in her classic joyful Gretta Ziller way. “I’m so very excited to have my third album, All These Walls finally coming out! This moment feels incredibly special because it’s been a journey (the same one we all experienced) to bring this album to the world. The lockdowns became my cocoon for healing, learning, and growth, infusing each song with the essence of my soul. Every track is an affirmation to my resilience, a reflection of my deepest desires, and a tribute to the love, cherished relationships, and the sheer joy I get from creating music.”
Australian Musician editor Greg Phillips sat down with Gretta Ziller to discuss the creation of her new album All These Walls and we were so enamoured, that we deemed her our Musician of the Month for September. Thanks to LVK Music Frankston for the interview location. Photos by Jason Rosewarne
MORE ABOUT GRETTA ZILLER’S ALL THESE WALLS
A passionate storyteller and songwriter, Gretta Ziller amassed multiple talents alongside her own to bring All These Walls to life, while also working alongside producers Paul Ruske, who has worked with the likes of Kyle Lionheart and Skyscraper Stan, and Rob Muinõs, whose previous work spans Didirri, Little May, Dorsal Fins and more. Stylistically inspired by a potent array of influences, including Bishop Briggs, Rag n Bone Man, Tom Petty, Foy Vance, Alabama Shakes and HAIM, All These Walls follows in the footsteps of Ziller’s earlier works, including 2021’s Judas Tree and 2017’s Queen of Boomtown, while firmly showcasing joyful creative evolution alongside a significantly thriving core message summed up by Ziller herself: “The album’s core themes revolve around love, self-belief, embracing self-worth, and the journey of moving forward. Of course, there’s a touch of self-doubt in there too – because despite our best efforts to block it out, doubt creeps in anyway!”
Case in point, All These Walls opens in silken fashion via Cross My Fingers, morphing into a sharp ode to facing one’s demons complete with modern gloss and hints of twanging charm, before sliding into maudlin beauty on the wistful and winsome Dear Damascus. Effortlessly flitting between gossamer restraint and powerful glee, Ziller’s mesmerising vocals thrive throughout the album’s journey, from jaunty, bold tracks coated in brass (Ain’t Even Your Lover), to heart-rending country ballads (Whole) and anthemic stompers brimming with positivity (Bones). In between moments of mellowed beauty (Golden Days, Who Knows) and lush modern production, witnessed in spades on the album’s very title track, Ziller’s capacity to concoct authentic narratives alongside glistening guitars, warm melodics and an unmistakable alt-country flavour shines loudly and proudly, effortlessly baring her soul with self-awareness and captivating compositions – and, ultimately, an unmistakable love for her craft.
A critically acclaimed, classically trained artist, Ziller’s career to date has seen her accrue two Golden Guitar nominations, with her single 5,4,3,2,1also currently sitting just shy of 500K individual streams on Spotify alone. Destined for a life in the creative arts, Ziller was able to whistle before she could talk, hailing as the token musician in a family of farmers and going on to take up the violin when she was just 2 years old. Picking up other instruments along the way, including the bagpipes, Ziller went on to complete a Bachelor of Music at Melbourne University, majoring in voice and starting her musical career as an opera singer and teaching the notoriously complex art that is the bagpipes.
Over the years, Ziller’s potent talents have garnered resounding praise with each new release, including two full length records, an acoustic album and her debut EP which released back in 2014. Armed with a sharp self-awareness alongside her irresistible blend of modern Americana, blues and beyond, 2020 saw Ziller support Australian legends Ian Moss and Troy Cassar-Daley for their 2020 Together Alone tour, a tour which remains one of her career highlights to date. But the talented Melbourne artist also continues to burgeon her own individual fanbase alongside her trademark sound, with the release of All These Walls set to stun both on and off the stage.
All These Walls is out now via ABC Music. Listen / buy All These Walls
GRETTA ZILLER – UPCOMING TOUR DATES:
Tickets available from www.grettaziller.com
TUES 19 SEPT – SAT 23 SEPT | AMERICANA FEST, NASHVILLE TN
FRI 29 SEPT | DENI UTE MUSTER, DENELIQUIN NSW
THU 16 NOV | QIRKS, KURRI KURRI NSW
FRI 17 NOV | WINGHAM HOUSE, WINGHAM NSW
SUN 19 NOV | CAN YOU KEEP A SECRET, BRISBANE QLD
FRI 1 DEC | THE PALAIS, HEPBURN SPRINGS VIC
