Following on from the brutally stunning 2012 debut LP Eating For Two (Bedroom Suck Records), and 2014’s b-sides and extras collection Hit and Miss, Melbourne (via NZ) songwriter and vocalist/ guitarist of the now retired Batrider, Sarah Mary Chadwick recently released her second full-length studio LP titled 9 Classic Tracks (out now via Rice Is Nice).
Produced by Geoffrey O’Connor, 9 Classic Tracks dips into lusher sonic territory employing the use of synths to lay the foundation of Chadwick’s raw, visceral delivery and trademark bare honesty.
To celebrate the release 9 Classic Tracks, one of the most attention grabbing local LPs we’ve heard all year, Chadwick who is also a talented visual artist has given us a track by track run down of the album with accompanying paintings. Check it out below and pick up your copy of the album via www.riceisnice.net.
Ask Walt
this was written and recorded on my old keyboard. It refers to walt whitman, specifically leaves of grass. he’s got all the answers. the thinking human’s bible. the lyrics are about being one blade of grass too. I like the lyrics ‘glittering, perverted/ causing pain and drawing blood’ lyrics. I also like ‘wanna make love to the world/every person that I see/I just wanna be on my own.’
I wrote this enjoying singing quietly. It’s fun to sing but sometime hard to play in a crowded venue ’cause it’s so understated.
Am I Worth It
Is about loving someone after you’ve been damaged somehow. About a specific night, shirt, smell. It’s kinda desperate sounding, I think. But maybe thats in context. All these songs are about specific times and people.
I’m God I’m Fate
Playing this live is fun, it’s enjoyable to play around with the repetition of the end. Like ‘how long is too long? What happens if you go over too long, what’s after too long? whats after whats after too long?’ and so on and so on. I like it when it doesn’t work and I like it when it does too.
Lying Down
And I can’t fight/ I can’t be right/ but I’ll hold tight/ I can’t get a grip on you. I’ve got no sense/ of how long time/ feels for anyone/ but I’ve got a quip or two.
Some other people say/ that we should be the way/ they are, they are.
But every human here/ is a prism dark and clear/ first glass, then dust.
A struggle deep/ a toil long/ sometimes you speak/ and sometimes cry till dawn.
There is no silver-lining here/ but there is love/ and thats all I hold dear.
Same Old Fires
I wrote this as a duet. It’s real enjoyable to sing. I think I was trying to do Leonard Cohen-ish? This is recorded on my old keyboard. I think its about time and perceived growth and boredom and exhilaration and begging.
I’m Back Where I Was
This has the same chords as ‘say it ain’t so’. I didn’t realise until someone called it out at a gig. Awkward?
Aquarius /Gemini
I think when I was 16 I would’ve listened to this leaving a party when someone else went home with their boyfriend I wanted.
I’m Like An Apple With No Skin
This is the dance track! Ha people have started sitting down at every gig! I can’t figure out if i mind or not. I really like this song. I ‘spose its about a person in relation to another person, what people are strong enough for, what people are capable of dealing with.
Until The Grave
I thought this had cool close harmonies like Fleetwood Mac. Every sentence is about a proper time or scenario. I only recently thought how weird it is that most popular music we hear is not at all about actual experiences that the person singing them has had. How weird is that? It’s like ‘Whose Line Is It Anyway’.
You Said I’m Buying
This is a break up song. Programming strings is fun! I don’t play this live very much, but I think I’ll start to. It’s about someone doing ‘well’ with someone else. All based on true convos. Ouch!
RAIN IT DOWN ON ME
I think this song will make my Mum cross. I don’t want to make her cross, but you can’t argue with another persons memory. It’s like fighting with the sun, it’s like screaming into a waterfall.
Tour Dates
April 10 – Polyester Records Instore, Melbourne
May 28 – Golden Age Cinema, Sydney
May 29 – Repressed Records Instrore, Sydney
June 4 – The Gasometer, Melbourne
For more info visit Sarah Mary Chadwick’s Facebook page
