The musician will be embarking on his first ever world tour!
Image: Elliott Lauren Ryan.
Rising singer-songwriter Budjerah has shared his sophomore EP, Conversations, just in time for his national headline tour that kicks off later this month.
Forraying into more alt-R&B sonics, Conversations has Budjerah reaching new heights. Pushing the boundaries of his sound, the EP brings refined and introspective lyricism from the musicians, whose soaring vocals simmer atop groove-laden soundscapes. He teams up with Sydney singer MAY-A on Talk, a joyful cut all about communication and the importance of honestly and openness within a relationship. Budjerah's soulful vocals are perfectly complimented by MAY-A's enchanting and raspy performance, whilst Wash My Sorrows Away captures the emotions of going through a heartbreak in your teens, and leaning into your comforts to move towards a place of healing.
Teaming up once again with longtime producers Matt Corby and Chris Collins, the musician expands his list of illustrious collaborators, with German–Australian producer Konstantin Kersting taking on production duties for What Should I Do. Weaving in subtle threads of electronica to create an electro-R&B soundscape that simmers beneath Budjerah's soulful and polished vocals. Conceptually, the song explores feelings of disconnect from those you consider closest and unsure how to navigate this uneasy space. On Get Down, the musician acknowledges his journey and successes, whilst having his eyes firmly gazing towards the future, a sentiment that carries into the EP's closer, My Name.
“These songs speak about the last year - about me figuring out what’s important.” Budjerah says. “This EP is about realising that this stuff that’s happening is good for me — I’ve learned and I actually have grown up a little bit since the first EP. It’s a lot of feeling — so much has happened and it’s been a lot to process at the same time, good stuff and bad stuff. Conversations is a way to understand those feelings,”
We caught up with Budjerah at THIS THAT in Newcastle! Watch our interview above.
Having already performed at a number of festivals this year including This That and King Street Carnival, Budjerah is set to take to the stage at Splendour in the Grass and A More Perfect Union this July and August. The musician will also perform headline shows in Adelaide, Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney this April, before embarking on an international tour. Budjerah will travel to the UK, Cologne, Utrecht, Paris and Hamburg for a string of headline European shows in May, before heading to the U.S. for performances in San Diego, Los Angeles and New York.
His debut EP, Budjerah, saw the musician continue his collaborative efforts with ARIA and J Award-winning artist Matt Corby, who produced the body of work. The pair worked tirelessly on the EP, crafting the sound that would introduce the world to Budjerah’s musical abilities. Produced and co-written by Corby, Budjerah - Live At Rainbow Valley was recorded at Corby’s Rainbow Valley studio in the Northern Rivers in NSW.
Last year, Budjerah took home the ARIA Award for Michael Gudinski Breakthrough Artist for his debut self-titled EP at the 2021 ARIA Awards, weeks after being named Best New Talent at the National Indigenous Music Award. The award was presented by megastar Ed Sheeran and homegrown legend Vance Joy. Yesterday, Budjerah recieved nominations for Breakthrough Songwriter of the Year and Most Performed R&B / Soul Work for Higher at the forthcoming 2022 APRA Music Awards.
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Conversations is out now!