Having released the absolutely stunning down tempo ‘Caught‘ late last year, Melbourne’s very own ethereal electro tinged singer songwriter Eliza Hull is now set to release her debut LP The Bones Of Us this Friday the 17th April via GAGA DIGI.
Produced by Hayden Calnin and mixed by Jono Steer, The Bones Of Us evokes a certain fragile nostalgia that sculpts an introspective, mesmerising release.
Since the release of her critically acclaimed EP The Ghosts You Never Catch Hull has quickly been making a reputation for herself both locally and internationally with her songs being used for American TV shows, as well as sharing the stage with local legends like SAFIA andOwl Eyes, playing NYE On The Hill in 2014 and gracing stages across Europe and the U.S.
To celebrate this incredibly exciting release, Hull is today giving Tone Deaf readers the exclusive early stream of the album accompanied by a track by track run down – check it out below.
Walk Away
Walk Away was co-written with Melbourne artist Ainslie Wills. I had lyrics and a very basic melody idea and Ainslie took it to a new level adding new and interesting melodies and chords.Hayden Calnin who produced ‘The Bones Of Us’ added beats and synths.
The first demos him and I worked on were probably even darker in sound, although what we ended up with I’m really happy with, it’s extremely brooding and moody. I really love singing in falsetto and experimenting with my voice in that way, it allows a fragile sound, which suits the subject of a relationship break down. The track was probably one of the most collaborative on the album, as Jono Steer who mixed the album also added his sound to the final product, mixing the beats in a way that sounds quite nineties.
Caught
Caught was the first single off the album. It was written on my piano at my family home in Wodonga. It started with just a simple chord progression, melody and lyrics. It was the first track that Hayden and I worked on for this album, we worked on it in his home studio on the Peninsula. The first vocal take was the one I loved, we ended up keeping most of it. Hayden added his signature sound with beats and glock. The track is about being ‘Caught’ in a relationship but embracing it instead of feeling trapped or locked down.
Christopher
Christopher was taken off my sophomore EP ‘The Ghosts You Never Catch’ I decided to include this track because it is still one of my favourites and I felt like it suited the mood of the album. This track was written a couple of years ago with UK songwriter Tim Gordine (Matt Corby, Lisa Mitchell).
Used To (Feat Texture Like Sun)
Used To is a duet with singer Mark Pearl from Texture Like Sun. I absolutely love Mark’s voice and knew that I wanted him to feature on it when I wrote it.
He added some lyrics and melodies with Hayden Calnin, and recorded his vocal in one evening. I think what we ended up with is, is my favourite song on the album, I really enjoy singing in that vocal range (slightly influenced by Kate Bush.) I also got Melbourne harpist Genevieve Fry into the studio which made the track for me. Thematically it is a nostalgic look at the past, reminiscing over our youth.
Skeleton
Skeleton was written via email with Tim Gordine (Matt Corby, Lisa Mitchell) from the UK. I sent him my basic sketch of chords, melody and lyrics and he added further melodies and took the song to a new place musically.
I love certain sounds that he used, they were just supposed to be used as a guideline but Hayden ended up using a lot of them, including an old piano sound that we loved as it sounded so Lo-fi. I love the way this song slowly feels like it is building.
Lyrically it’s about playing the game with a new love interest, how we conceal certain things about ourselves at the beginning, then our layers of skin begin to fall off and through trust we choose to expose ourselves more.
My Army
I have been sitting on this track for a long time, I wrote the basic melody/lyrics and chords so long ago but just could never finish it. A lot of my friends would get me to sing this on the piano at parties and they always said ‘you really need to record it.’ I guess I was just waiting for a chorus, when I showed Hayden he really loved it and said ‘we will record it next week, so write a chorus.’ Ha ha. That kind of pressure is sometimes what you need.
I really loved Hayden’s producing/production on this song, I feel like it is quite unique with a mixture of military esque drums from local musician Tim Coghill and electronic beats. Lyrically it’s about being your own worst enemy, fighting yourself, although the chorus adds that it’s time to let the walls down and face these thoughts/ fears.
Satellite
Satellite was written with Ainslie Wills, we wanted to write something that was eighties influenced. The subject is quite simple, it’s just a standard ‘love’ unattained track, so we wanted to write something that was quite light.
Ainslie really guided a lot of the melodies which I love (she is actually recorded doing back up vocals) To be honest it nearly didn’t make the album, Hayden and I had such trouble finding the right feel/tempo for it. It changed so many times, but I think the way the track now begins, with this kind of down-tempo moody fee, itl gives the track a bit of substance.
Dreamer
I wrote this song using a prophet synth, it’s definitely the darkest on the album, I remember being in a really introspective place. The track uses lots of vocal effects to create a surreal sound-scape, Hayden’s production is really what makes this track, our idea behind it was to create the feeling that it’s a dream, the whole track is a bit warped.
I loved recording the back up vocals in my family beach house with Hayden, it ended up sounding quite choral. Jono Steer really brought the track to life when he mixed it, it’s ended up sounding quite big and full.
Bella Lou
Bella Lou is the most stripped back, with just piano and vocal. I recorded this is one take, playing the piano and singing at the same time at a home studio in Melbourne ‘The True Vine.’ It was an emotional day as I had just found out I was pregnant with my daughter.
Head Above Water
Head Above Water is a co-write with Melbourne electronic artist Dylan Hill, this is definitely my favourite to play live. It is such a simple melody and lyric, but evokes a lot of feeling for me. I also love the dramatic ending that is progressive and filled with emotion.
Upcoming Shows
Friday May 1
Howler, Melbourne
w/ Haarlo & Lydia Goldthorpe
Tickets here
Saturday July 25
Brighton Up Bar, Sydney
w/ Polarheart & Twin Caverns
Tickets here
