Australian Musician fave Kathleen Halloran (she was our Musician of the Month in November 2023 and involved in many of our successful Melbourne Guitar Shows) has released a fabulous debut single titled ’Free With Me’. It’s an apt title given that she’s been the go-to session guitarist for so many other artists and now gets to spread her own wings and in doing so reveals a natural talent for song craft and a heartfelt vocal capability. Of course her slick guitar licks are ever-present too. Kathleen has also released a wonderful video clip for the song and announced single launch gigs for Sydney (Dec 5) and Melbourne (Dec 11)
Ahead of her ’Free With Me’ single launches in Sydney (Dec 5) and Melbourne (Dec 11), Australian Musician editor Greg Phillips caught up with Kathleen Halloran for a quick chat
KATHLEEN HALLORAN – UPCOMING SHOWS:
THU 5 DEC | THE TROCADERO ROOM, SYDNEY NSW
Tickets available from Moshtix https://moshtix.com.au/v2/event/kathleen-halloran-free-with-me-single-launch/173543
WED 11 DEC | THE GASOMETER HOTEL, MELBOURNE VIC
Tickets available from Oztix https://gasometer.oztix.com.au/outlet/event/86410132-3105-4707-940f-31770ab56f35
If she seems a dab hand, it’s because she’s got the experience to back it up. “I am very excited about this song and what it says about my life as an artist,” she says. “I couldn’t be happier to be finally releasing something of my own into the universe after a few special years on the road, soaking up inspiration from some powerhouse artists.”
‘Powerhouse’ is right; Halloran has performed with the likes of Kate Ceberano, Katie Noonan, Felix Riebl (The Cat Empire), Ash Grunwald and Tania Doko to name a few. Her talents as a session musician have seen her guitar-playing feature on countless recordings, in orchestra pits for many musical theatre productions, and on major festival stages all around the country.
Free With Me displays the artist’s easy grace at the mic and on her instrument, and includes a stunning guitar solo which sees her fly across her Fender’s fretboard before assuring listeners she’s no “collectible, delectable memento,” but rather an emancipated spirit who won’t be pigeonholed.
“The song is for all those people, like myself, who have a strong resistance to being put in a box, and those who don’t come with a manual!” she explains. “It draws from past experience of being perceived as ‘too much of this’ or ‘too little of that’, which I believe is a pressing struggle for ambitious, passionate people in this current climate. The over-arching message of the song is inner and outer freedom: to be proudly comfortable with who you are and to quit having to prove yourself or try too hard to meet other people’s perceptions, views or limitations. Just simply to be you!”
Produced by Ross Irwin (The Cat Empire, The Bamboos, Paul Kelly), engineered and mixed by Ben Edgar (Gotye, Angus and Julia Stone, Matt Corby) and mastered by Lachlan Carrick, Free With Me is accompanied by a video which makes Halloran’s performance prowess clear. “The video clip is my band and I performing Free With Me in my most favourite local cafe/restaurant, ‘Sorsi E Morsi’ in St Kilda!” she says.
“To say I love my local is an understatement. I am there every day I am home, and in spending so much time on the road, it’s actually one of the most grounding and calming routines I have when I get home from the busy-ness of tour! The idea came to me one night while I was enjoying a meal with some friends there. I really wanted to capture the local spirit and vibe that is a big part of my life, and also wanted to do something a little outside of the box! I love the idea of a world where we are engaged in our local communities, know each other’s coffee orders and share a friendly smile and wave in the street.”
The chance to see Halloran perform Free With Me is just around the corner, and the artist has some treats in store for attendees of these single-launching dates. “They can expect lots of epic guitar moments (drawing inspiration from some of the greats like SRV and Van Halen) in and around my new material, and a few covers as a tip of the hat to some idols,” she says. “I am so excited about the live band I’ve assembled, so audiences can definitely expect some pretty wild, ‘off tap’ jams as well!”
“I love being on the road,” she adds. “To me, making music and living life are the same thing.”
Don’t miss your chance to see Kathleen Halloran live for the launch dates of Free With Me, which announces Halloran as an inimitable and absolutely undeniable solo talent.
Free With Me is out now.
Stream Free With Me
Watch: Free With Me
KATHLEEN HALLORAN – UPCOMING SHOWS:
THU 5 DEC | THE TROCADERO ROOM, SYDNEY NSW
Tickets available from Moshtix https://moshtix.com.au/v2/event/kathleen-halloran-free-with-me-single-launch/173543
WED 11 DEC | THE GASOMETER HOTEL, MELBOURNE VIC
Tickets available from Oztix https://gasometer.oztix.com.au/outlet/event/86410132-3105-4707-940f-31770ab56f35