Tell us about your new album The Lonely
At its core, The Lonely is an intimate collection of songs about connection and disconnection. But part of what I love most about it is that the detail and richness of the soundworld makes it feel expansive, almost cinematic. I have to thank my wonderful producers Lachlan Carrick and Josh Barber for their huge contributions to this.
The songs themselves came out of a time when I was struggling with anxiety myself, and also working in the intersection between community music and mental health. This had a huge impact on the themes explored throughout the album. In my work I was mentoring songwriters living with mental health challenges, and the more stories I heard the more I noticed that loneliness was often at the core of them. It was a big part of why people became unwell in the first place, and then their struggles would exacerbate their isolation. That work also reminded me of the therapeutic quality that songwriting can have – for the audience as well as the writer. Vulnerability in art can create this connection where both the storyteller and the audience feel more seen and understood. Less uniquely broken, and less alone in their struggle. I’m hoping this album does that for people in the same way that some of my favourite albums have for me.
What’s your favourite work at this point in time? (your own work)
Maybe ‘The Last Real Moment’. I wrote it about my grandma’s death a few years ago, and my grandpa’s experience of looking after her as she died, so that she could stay at home for her final months. Obviously the song is very meaningful for me personally, but it’s been really rewarding to play it live and see how much people can relate to it, and to the experience of saying goodbye to someone precious. A few people have messaged me about it or mentioned it to me after shows, which really lets you know that a song has had an impact.
How would you describe your sound in food form and why?
Maybe like a congee or a pho. It’s soulful and the flavour has depth and surprises, but at its core it’s simple and full of heart.
Tell us a quick, on the road or studio, anecdote.
I recorded The Lonely in a converted 1860s Chapel studio in the Victorian goldfields region with Lachlan Carrick producing and Josh Barber co-producing. Among his many talents, Josh is a drummer and percussionist. During the sessions he played the widest array of percussive instruments I’ve ever seen in my life. To give you an idea of the scope I’m talking about, in one day he went from playing vibraphone, to playing a beat on a piece of paper that we closely mic-ed, and finally to playing a combination of a clay troll doll shaker and a prescription pill bottle full of rice. Ahh, the joys of long creative days in the studio…
What, or who, inspires you?
At the moment I’m completely obsessed with Adrianne Lenker. I’ve listened to her album ‘songs’ on repeat for months, and just can’t get enough of the hypnotic, raw sound and her creative lyrics. I’ve never known a songwriter who can be as playful and quirky with words whilst still packing such emotional punch.
Which song do you wish you wrote?
‘Change’ by Adrianne Lenker/Big Thief.
What’s next for you?
A hard-earned rest…and then more music!
What’s your scene?
I’m a folky at heart. I love campfires and story songs and beautiful fingerpicked textures and people spilling their innermost thoughts on stage. Haha. I’ve also recently gotten into playing Irish fiddle actually (reviving my classical violin chops) so I’m newly part of that scene too.
Listen to Domini Forster’s new album The Lonely HERE