It is not hard to mistake the mature voice behind Melbourne-via-London’s newest singer as being older than her age of 19 years. Hauntingly soothing, the songstress croons bittersweet tales of complicated young love in a way that is beyond her years. Truly spoken from the heart, Cloves’ blues-drenched vocals are the main event in her debut EP of soft, melancholy stories.
Blessed with a charming voice drizzled in honey and whisky, Cloves desperately reaches out to all the heartbroken through her sorrowful debut EP XIII.
Owning a voice with such distinct and unique tones, it’s no wonder that Cloves (aka Kaity Dunstan) grew up with influences alike Amy Winehouse, Arctic Monkeys and Etta James. Cloves opened up about her musical journey starting with her dad leaving his guitars around the house for her sister to play and herself to sing along. No surprise that as teenagers the two siblings would end up playing shows around Melbourne.
Travelling all the way to London, Dunstan chose to begin her one woman project overseas. Her popularity is no fluke, Dunstan’s vocal prowess and storytelling skills are already in the spotlight with strong BBC radio airplay and amassing a cult status with her song Frail Love being played on the Vampire Diaries. Currently in the midst of touring with James Bay in the USA, she will be touching back home early 2016 to support fellow fragile crooner SOAK.
When asked about the adjustment of moving to London, Dunstan quips, “I had to buy a coat and increase my sarcasm.” After noting that making music comfortably in your home country is difficult in itself, Cloves responded how different it is making music in a foreign place: “I think the weather has a big impact on the mood of my songs. But I love being grumpy and I love London.” If she continues making mesmerising songs like these, I think Australia wouldn’t mind lending her over for a little while longer.
XIII is named after the soulful sirens nana’s lucky number. Dunstan recalls that her nana used to say that you make your own luck, thinking it would be a nice representation of her, and her outlook on life as well (it’s also tattooed on her arm). With help from Justin Parker (Lana Del Rey, Rhianna, Sia) and Rich Cooper (Tom Odell, Mumford and Sons), her debut EP gently dazzles with vocal driven tracks and minimalist percussion that picks at Dunstan’s insecure and vulnerable moments.
The first offering, Frail Love, explores falling in love for the first time and the complications of loosing everything. Fragile and angelic, her voice soars over a single quiet piano, minimalism becoming a theme throughout the EP. Don’t You Wait is bluesy and breezy with a rich rhythm and distant electric guitar. Everybody’s Son, an acoustic outing, is a about feeling that the world revolves around the one person that you love. Don’t Forget About Me shines through with tender production, slow burning and sweetly telling the fragile experience of a broken heart – something that Cloves seems to know a little about. More than that; she’s an authority on it.
XIII is available now digitally. Cloves will be supporting Irish songstress SOAK as she returns to Australian shores:
Wednesday 6th January, Northcote Social club, Melbourne
Friday 8th January, Newtown Social Club, Sydney
