Gavan Waldby – Distance (2023)
Inspired by the likes of Cat Stevens, James Taylor, Carol King, Paul McCartney and even Beethoven, Gavan Waldby brings a unique sound to our ears. Folk and pop-rock with hints of indie-rock, there is a toe-tapping vibe within his introspective, poignant and profound melodies. In an interview with New Artist Spotlight, he shared that his tinkering in music came about when his sister didn’t show interest in it – “My sister was given a guitar when I was about 14. She was never interested but I started noodling around with it…that’s when I realised music is joyful; then came The Beatles and I was completely hooked.” Following a 15-year career as part of the musical comedy duo Chalk and Cheese, Waldby is releasing music as a solo artist. The latest addition to his discography is the single ‘Distance’.
The 10th release from the Australian singer-songwriter, ‘Distance’ “delves deep into the realm of being emotional unavailable, shedding light on the profound impact it has on our relationships and personal well-being.” Penned with sister Catherine Waldby, the lyrical content captures the vulnerability, fragility and rawness of facing a relationship doomed to failure – “the struggle that arises when someone we cherish won’t return our love, cuts us dead or simply drifts away…” With his desire to connect and resonate with listeners, ‘Distance’ highlights Waldby’s intimate intensity and expression of the most provocative issues.
While the lyricism itself is thought-provoking in its piercing honesty, the melody is what really takes us on the journey of human fragility. Following his single ‘Thanks For That’, ‘Distance’ combines soaring guitars with bold drums in a haunting arrangement. The fusion of classic rock guitar solos within a wistful indie-rock melody tosses you into a kaleidoscopic whirlpool of sound. Twirling about with your eyes closed, you feel lost in the melody; however, an anchor is heard in Waldby’s bold vocals. Oddly enough, despite the song telling us about distancing ourselves, it also has a warm embrace in the mystical tune.
For more from Gavan Waldby, check out his official website, Twitter, Instagram and Spotify.
This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustainablecurator
