New Zealand born, Melbourne based multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, vocalist and visual artist Sarah Mary Chadwick today shares her eighth studio record Messages to God, out now via Kill Rock Stars. Also announced today is Chadwick’s offical album launch performance, taking place on November 4th at The Toff in Town, Melbourne. Tickets are on sale now. Subscribers to 3RRR can also catch a very special live performance of the album tonight, with Sarah accompanied on stage by Hank Clifton-Williamson (flute) and Isobel D’cruz (bass).
Fans of Chadwick’s visual art will be excited to hear of her forthcoming painting exhibition (also announced today), alongside Craig Dermody, at Neon Parlour, Northcote, which will run from Nov 20 – Dec 4. Select works will also be available online.
Executive produced by Tony Espie (The Avalanches), the album has earned acclaim spanning Pitchfork, PASTE, BrooklynVegan, Exclaim!, Women That Rock, FLOOD, The Guardian and more. The new collection is composed of broad, brightly coloured spiritual strokes and consists of dramatic retellings of having your heart broken, existing, movement and growth, showcased through singles “Shitty Town“,”Looked Just Like Jesus“, “Drinkin’ on a Tuesday” and “Someone Else’s Baby“.
Chadwick is a gifted and singular songwriter, uniquely attuned to the minutiae of human emotion, not unlike Phil Eleverum’s work as Mount Eerie and Daniel Johnston’s adventures on tape. A multi-instrumentalist and vocalist, Chadwick’s songs are unsparing, brutal, and absolutely lovely. A prolific visual artist alongside her songwriting, Chadwick’s cover art of this record mirrors the slight alteration in tone; whereas previously, self-portraits of herself alone fronted her releases, now she has pictured herself amongst a group around a piano. Still not looking at peace, but surrounded by people, nonetheless.
Messages to God is a beautifully realised record. It’s not happy but it is funny and optimistic. It is melodramatic, self-serving and generous. Sometimes, from way back in the shitty seats of the theatre, you’re at your closest to god. That’s what this record is like, finding beauty in everyday occurrences. Because it’s there. You just gotta look really hard sometimes. And as Chadwick provides, “Because every day’s just one more day / trying to write messages to god’’.
Messages to God tracklisting:
1. Don’t Tell Me I’m A Good Friend
2. I Felt Things In New Zealand
3. Angry And Violent
4. Drinkin’ On A Tuesday
5. Shitty Town
6. Sometimes I Just Wanna Feel Bad
7. Someone Else’s Baby
8. Only Bad Memories Last
9. C’mon Stud
10. Looked Just Like Jesus
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