Sydney based singer/songwriter Jess Spahr may only just be finding her feet, but her songs are far from shaky. After releasing her debut single Gravity, she took the track to a sold-out crowd at the Brass Monkey. Not too shabby for a first night out.
Now she’s reader to go even bigger on her second, a bold new track called Betray Me. It’s a booming and dramatic tune about falling in love with the wrong people, but funnily enough it will probably just make you love Jess Spahr more.
Just two singles in, Jess Spahr is hitting all the right notes. On Betray Me she lifts herself even further, setting atmospheric verses side by side with overwhelmingly powerful choruses.
Being new to the game, you’d forgive Spahr for still feeling apprehensive about getting her music out there. But nothing settles the nerves like some stellar feedback, something which she has earned plenty of since Betray Me premiered yesterday.
“I was really excited to share this one and a bit nervous too being just my second single, but triple j gave it some love, lots of community radio around the country have picked it up and friends, family and fans are giving heaps of positive feedback on social media. So all in all, I’m blown away.”
A multi-instrumentalist herself, Spahr’s music rings with a full, almost orchestral sound. On Betray Me she delved even further into this cinematic world she crafts, even enlisting a few friends along the way.
“I do play a few instruments but on this track I kept it to keys and vocals. I wanted to create a dreamy, ethereal feel with a bit of a ’70s vibe, so we brought in some other key instruments and musicians, which translates really well to the live show and a band.”
Particularly, I was enamoured with the atmospheric guitar tones dancing through the tune’s latter half. Thankfully, Spahr was able to disclose her secret weapon.
“Caravana Sun’s lead guitarist, Luka Carra produced this track with me, so it is his signature guitar tones you can hear on Betray Me. He uses an [Earthshaker] Interstellar Orbiter pedal. The minute I heard those sounds, I fell in love and knew it belonged in this music.”
“It features on quite a few of my new and upcoming tracks, so I’m glad you like it!”
But Spahr’s latest isn’t all lift – there’s plenty of darkness giving Betray Me two-sided character. It details Spahr’s history of “falling in love with the wrong people who turn out to be a bit toxic”, something half the world is guilty of. We’ve all fallen into the trap once, and this hook is what gives Betray Me its magnetism.
“It is a bit of a paradox this song – a very laid-back, almost meditative vibe, which is designed to reflect that feeling of being seduced and lulled into love, but the lyrics dance in contrast with darker themes of being strong in the face of betrayal and deception.”
“All in all though, I hope the song makes you feel relaxed and chilled out, something you want to listen to over and over again.”
Experience Jess Spahr and Betray Me in the flesh next Thursday, April 19th at Django Bar in Marrickville. Grab tickets and details here.
