By: Staff
Sunset Salore released “Mystery and Magic” and it has all the elements of a breakout hit song!
Light and soft drums open the track and instantly we were excited to hear the guitars and the rolling and strumming sensation they created. Quickly following this are the wonderful and beautifully sung vocals and lyrics of Sunset Salore. We absolutely felt they were incredibly unique with tremendous power and control. Sunset Salore has the ability to put the listener in a hypnotic state and create a sense of relaxed euphoria. When we learned that this is the literal intent of this artist we were even more excited that we were able to realize and experience this firsthand. The lyrics are intended to help us learn how to accept others for who they are and what they can do to help expand our life’s experiences, rather than feel restricted by them. We think this is a very important statement and one we have not heard from any artist before. It makes one think about love and its possibilities and how we can enjoy it more than we ever thought. The song has such a relaxed yet captivating melody that allows you to enjoy this message as you bop along with it. The musical arrangement is a perfect complement to the creative styling of this incredible vocal songstress.
As we continue on the song towards the middle, the guitar picks up its energy and really makes the song pop. The synth reverbs make a halo style background vocals and harmonies and we really loved this. This song was no doubt produced and engineered by an excellent team. The track is crystal clear and powerful and each instrument including the vocals standalone on its own merit There’s a sort of foot-stomping section towards the end that really allows you to see Sunset Salore on stage belting out this exciting new release in front of adoring fans.
You definitely want to save, share and playlist this tremendous new release “Mystery and Magic” by Sunset Salore.
Powerful Quote about this Artist:
“Call It is a powerful anthem of self-worth, capturing that pivotal moment when you decide you deserve better. Get ready to feel empowered by Sunset Salore’s bold and beautiful new sound. Keep an ear out for Love Kills the Monsters later this year – it’s a release you won’t want to miss.” AAA Backstage
Wait, there's more!
We caught up with this exciting artist, for “The Cage” Music Blog, to talk about music and learn more about them.
Here’s how it went:
Begin Interview
Hello Sunset Salore, we are so glad to have you for this interview. We learned so much reading about and listening to your music, but we want to know even more about you.
Who are some of your biggest musical influences that have shaped your sound?
I listen to a lot of different music anyway, but particularly when I’m writing, so I guess it depends on what I’m trying to achieve. When writing this EP [Love Kills the Monsters] I listened to a lot of soul, funk, and jazz. It sort of amalgamated in my head to influence where the EP landed, and it was tough actually finding the right genre to classify the output as, so we settled on Alt-Pop. I felt recently I’ve been more heavily influenced by Meg Mag, Florence and the Machine, Teddy Swims, Baker Boy, and Jamiroquai.
What's your favorite part about being a singer-songwriter based in Melbourne?
Melbourne is such a creative city, it is brimming with live music venues, and local talent, which really is inspiring!
Your release “Call it” saw around 65k streams on Spotify in 119 countries in the first 4 weeks of release, and played on radio stations all over the world! Has this reception from your fans made you feel and does this reaction change how you plan to roll out this release?
I really wasn’t expecting that overwhelming a response on the first track of this EP, but I’m so thankful and truly humbled by the opportunity to have so many people listen to the song and have so many wonderful reviews and feedback come through. I guess it means I’m maybe on the right track? So for now I suppose I’ll stick to the plan! We’ll see as ‘Mystery and Magic’ continues to be out there in the world, and the EP lands on the 4th October – proof is in the pudding! I’m excited at the opportunities to build on this in future projects too.
You talk about exploring the euphoria of learning someone new, and uncovering the unique things that draw you to that person. Was this from one particular experience or from multiple. What do you want this to help your fans learn?
It's something that everyone can relate to and I do often write about a plethora of moments and how they make me feel into a scenario for a track, however this one was for the large part written about my current relationship. I haven’t actually explicitly told him that – surprise! I was just having such a great time in this relationship that the feeling bubbled up and into this song. I wanted the listeners to really get a sense that it is possible to find a great relationship, even if you’ve had a bad experience or two out there, but to really hone into those moments that signal it’s going well. When it is going well, enjoy it, don’t doubt yourself.
How long have you been making music?
Officially, I have been writing since 2019, but this is my debut EP, and definitely a departure from where I started. Before that I was supporting in bands, doing covers, and enjoying that style of entertainment. I was also in a 3 piece acapella female group for about 4 years and we enjoyed making mash ups and covers in the acapella style for fun. I didn’t start singing solo until I moved to Melbourne from the UK, unless of course you count singing in school choirs back in the day! I did love a harmony!
Was there always a desire to create music, or did you have an event in your life that made you realize this is what you want to do as a profession?
I was always around music, but until more recently didn’t really consider being a creator of original music. I grew up with music in my family. My great grandfather was a pianist on the music scene back in the 1920’s in Belfast with his brother who sang. My grandfather bought me my first keyboard, a Casio, back in the 1980’s and I started engaging with music more actively from then. I’ve always loved to sing, but I guess I didn’t think I had a good enough voice to be up front leading the band, so I focused on backing, choirs and harmonies. In hindsight it was a great education in the basics over the years! I did win a karaoke competition once (I won drink – the stakes were high!) and thought, hmm, maybe I should take some singing lessons, and the rest was history after that. It snowballed, though it took about 10 years to get from that to today.
What emotion do you feel inspires your writing process the most, ie sadness, worry, happiness etc.?
I like to write about the everyday things – the micro-moments- that add up to the bigger feelings because I think they’re so relatable to everyone. For me it’s less about the emotion and more about the volume of it. I wrote ‘Call It’ after I’d had a bit of a bad day, and it just flowed really easily, whereas the day before nothing was really happening. I managed to channel the frustration and in about 15 minutes the bones of the song were down. For Mystery and Magic it was more a reflective piece, looking back on how good it is to learn someone, so I sat in that reflection space for a while until the song emerged. I was surprised actually that when I sat in whatever the emotion was for a while, really immersed myself, that the writing flowed so smoothly.
Who decided on the theme for your artwork and what was the inspiration and intention for the observer to absorb from it?
The central theme for the whole EP is based around the title track, yet to be released, called Love Kills the Monsters. The idea of looking into your own demons, or supporting others on their journey through theirs, and doing so with kindness and love was at the core of the concept. The title flowed easily once that song was written and it became a central theme. From there the artwork was a collaboration with Laura DuVe, amazing photographer based in Melbourne, KYE, my coach and co-writer, and I. Laura suggested this great Parisian antique apartment in Melbourne for the photoshoot and I roped in the wonderful Tali Poposka to bring together the look with her stunning HMUA talents. I then worked back over the images with either neon text or, as you’ll see soon when the EP cover art is released, lipstick on the mirror. I wanted that reflective, introspective kind of vibe to the EP cover, and I loved the idea of coupling that with high contrast neon. I was quite involved as you can tell!
What instrument do you use as the foundation to start your musical creations with?
I usually start with piano. I have 3 pianos at home, two are digital (one Korg – it’s light and portable if I want to move around the house, and one Roland RD300GX – my favourite and the one I’ve had the longest, but it weighs SO MUCH!) and one is an antique upright piano in beautiful walnut with turned legs which I’m refurbishing from around 1890-1910 ish. I found it on Facebook Marketplace locally in between lockdowns during COVID and I’ve been working the kinks out of it and restoring it ever since. I love it for it’s mildly out of tune honky tonk sound. I’ll write on any of those. If I’m wanting to play with a loop and overlay other textures or sounds or melodies and I want some headspace, I’ll probably do that on the Roland, and pop the sound through my BOSS RC-600 looping pedal, to free up my mind to work on the layers.
What instruments do you play? Which is your favorite?
I mainly play piano, which is my favourite, but I also play some guitar. I collect instruments, and dabble in all/most of them. My collection features the 3 pianos mentioned above, a banjo (I’m learning), mandolin, 3 guitars – one acoustic, one hollow body electric and a beautiful viola bass, saxophone, clarinet (I used to play at school, but I’m very rusty now), a digital drum kit which I don’t love nearly as much as the old stage Mapex kit with wood rimmed bass drum which I had back in the UK, violin (I’m terrible unless you want me to play a sea shanty on it), and penny whistle which I can play a few tunes on, but not enough to make it sound good. I’ve recently got a tongue drum and lyre harp which I’m also enjoying. That doesn’t even begin to take into account the guitars my partner has…! Maybe we have a problem, haha!
What instrument do you not play, but wish you could conquer?
Probably the uilleann pipes which I adore but are notoriously difficult to master, particularly with the chanter.
Where do you create your music, i.e. in a home recording studio or with a producer? How do you finalize your finished work, ie self-mixed/mastered or another source?
I write the initial concepts, lyrics, melodies and chords progressions at home. I’ve also been dabbling in some digital audio workstations so some of the ideas are generated digitally more recently – though nothing on this EP. I then work with my coach Kye to develop the idea to something more representing a demo. I have been working with Spud Thompson who produced this EP and who I’d like to work with on the next project. We recorded everything at his studio in Dromana on the Mornington Peninsula in Victoria, Australia, and he mastered it there too. Nick Franklin in New South Wales did an equally stunning job on the mastering. I really enjoyed the collaborative process on this project.
What was the most challenging part of bringing this project to life, from the initial idea to the final recording?
Apart from the financial aspect as an independent artist, it was just learning the process having not done it from end to end professionally before. There is no easy way to learn it, you just had to ask a lot of questions, trust your sources, and your own judgement. At some point you just had to jump in and do it, and that was scary! I’m glad I did though.
What part of the music-making process is the most stressful, ie the creation, the actual release date, etc?
At every stage, I thought that was the most stressful part! Then I moved to the next stage, and it became more stressful! Right now I’m finding it hard to let go of the music and put it out into the world because it has sat with me for so long, and now it’s like my baby is out in the world! So right now I think this part is more stressful. I’m not sure that’s accurate, each part has their own stressors though, but it sure has been a rollercoaster and a lot of work!
If there was one thing you could change about the music industry, what would it be?
A financial model that paid artists more fairly. Artists struggle to make a living wage and it is a challenge to produce great art, sustain yourself with a home, food, self care etc, when most artists need several jobs to support their art if they are independent. I am also seeing more artists feeling that they need to be independent so they can make uninfluenced creative decisions – at least if they’re going to do it tough they might as well have full creative control. But it feels that unless you are in the upper echelons of the industry, it’s really, really tough to grind through and support yourself in any meaningful way financially. I’ve seen artists leave the business for that reason more times than I’d like to admit and it’s really disappointing it comes to that.
Where do you see your sound and artistry heading in the future? Are there any exciting new directions you're exploring?
I love this question, mainly because I don’t know the answer to it , and I love that also! I originally thought I’d make a folk-acoustic style EP, or maybe even a jazz inspired EP, and here we are – squarely in foot tapping Alt-Pop territory. I wrote the EP without a genre goal in mind, but did want the tracks to encourage listeners to dance or bob their heads along and really vibe the music. Maybe there’s a folk EP in me yet, but I’m really enjoying the more electronic, funk inspired alt-pop space for now so I’m going to say I think the next while I’ll probably stay in a similar vein, and consider down the track where to go.
What advice would you give your younger self?
When in doubt, do it anyway. It’s hard to have regrets that way, and you never know what opportunities it might bring.
What is your favorite song to cover?
Oh so many. This is a hard one to answer. I’m a sucker for a Florence and the Machine track, and I do love doing a stripped back piano version singing ‘The End of Love’. I’ve rolled that out at a few gigs and it’s always well received. I do like a lot of covers though!
How do you feel about social media?
I have a love / hate relationship with it. I am very appreciative it exists. It allows me to connect with fans of the music, and with family still back in the UK ever since I relocated to Australia, so that’s pretty amazing. But I can see how hard it is on young people today – it’s addictive and it’s definitely a time sink – hello doom scrolling! I’m really glad I leverage social how I do today to connect and share music, and not as a kid.
When you reach the stage where you have the admiration and respect of other world-known artists, what band or artist would you love to call and say, “Let’s go on tour together”?
It'd be with two artists, Teddy Swims and Florence and the Machine. Both of those have stunning vocals, and I really admire their work in writing and performances. I’ve seen both live, and been blown away on all occasions. I also think it’d be really fun!
We have experienced that many people perform acts of selflessness each day. Once your artistry has reached far and wide, how will you use that more powerful voice to have a bigger positive impact on our world?
I used to work for many years in the not for profit / humanitarian space and I also volunteer for a children’s charity supporting children who have been abused (check out www.rafikimwema.com) . I have a really acute awareness for the disparity that exists in our world. I know I’m fortunate to have been born into the life I was, and as such I’ve had a really cushy existence, let’s be honest most of us have. I would love to advocate more for those people who are doing it tough, whatever those circumstances are, and to champion equity for all. We are a rich enough world to not have anyone go hungry, homeless, or without support. Our egos have gotten in the way. It’d be nice to be a part of the solution in advocating for those who are less fortunate than we are and who for whatever reason, do not have enough of a voice in today’s society.
What is the most inspirational thing a fan, or anyone, has told or shown you about your music?
Someone messaged me recently when the last single was out and told me that seeing my music out there, and really loving it, has inspired them to get back into creative pursuits themselves. I could feel the energy in the conversation – they were really pumped. It doesn’t get better than that.
End Interview
Check out this latest release and listen to more of Sunset Salore on Spotify & YouTube.
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