Waiting For Brenda – 4th July (2022)
After completely almost two years of successful breast cancer treatment, singer-songwriter Brenda Kelly once again picked up her guitar and brought together a talented crew to form Waiting For Brenda. To be honest, it was the five other members that were waiting for Kelly to begin playing with her again, hence the band name. Fusing their natural musical skills into one female-fronted force of nature, Brenda Kelly, Garry Bain (guitar), Peter Cheney (bass), Craig Tobin (drums), Luke Mysliwy (fiddle) and John Harrison (dobro/lap steel) are playing at festivals, hitting the blogosphere, receiving airplay on various radio stations, and, basically, making a mark far beyond their Australian borders.
Preceding their latest release ‘Friendly Disposition’, ‘4th July’ is Waiting For Brenda’s well-received debut single. Adopting an indie-folk tone, the track has a toe-tapping quality to plaster a smile on your face as you nod along to the tune. What I find interesting is how Kelly’s haunting vocals carry across the well-textured melody sending shivers down your spine, but simultaneously building a warm fuzzy feeling in your chest.
As I mentioned, ‘4th July’ has an indie-folk sentiment, but it is also laced with country sounds, as is emphasised by the fiddle. A wistfulness shrouds the charming melody, and you will instantly like the song – I bet you will. Yet, while the charming melody is intriguing, it is the intense intimacy that has me connecting with ‘4th July’. Bob Dylan-esque sensibilities are heard in the profound lyricism adding a thought-provoking poignancy to the light-hearted tune. Fresh and familiar, serious and gentle, haunting and welcoming, melancholic and empathetic, Waiting For Brenda is finding the balance between extremes in ‘4th July’.
For more from Waiting For Brenda, check out their official website, Facebook, Instagram and Spotify.
This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustainablecurator
