Castlemaine singer-songwriter Eliza Hull is a leading voice for individualism with her honest new EP Here They Come, released 1 December. Featuring the singles “Running Underwater” and “Island”, the five-track project is the fifth record from the Victorian songstress since emerging with her debut single “Without Words” in 2012.
Timed to coincide with International Day of People with Disability, Eliza celebrates passion and perseverance on her latest effort to champion the unique and often unseen. With empowering lyrics over tender melodies, Here They Come is a testament to her nuanced storytelling and intimate performance.
“I wanted to release the EP during the week of International Day of People with Disability because this record is about celebrating my disabled identity, it’s about all the parts of myself I hid away for so long because of stigma,” Eliza explains. “I also want to be the representation I was seeking as a disabled emerging musical artist. I am passionate about making change so that future generations can see themselves represented and know what’s possible.”
We had Eliza take us through the EP track-by-track to give some insight into how it all came together.
- Stay
“Stay” was one of the first songs I wrote for the EP. It was co-written with an incredible songwriter based out of London, Tim Gordine. He has worked with artists like Matt Corby, Ellie Goulding and Lisa Mitchell. We have written together before for my previous records, so it was great to get back in the writing room with him for this one.
The song is about falling in love quickly, yet trying to make the relationship stand the test of time.
- Here They Come
“Here They Come” was the first song I recorded for the EP. I wrote it in my back studio in my hometown in Castlemaine with my very good friend Laurie Cave. We met one day at a local café and decided to write a song together. The song came out quickly with just a guitar and vocal. In the end I took it to a whole new different space with the help of Georgia Sallybanks (Odette), who co-produced the track with producer Pip Norman.
Georgia added some lyrical and piano ideas. It’s the biggest journey track off the EP. I like that it starts minimal and by the end it takes you somewhere completely different and dramatic. Georgia has a beautiful creative mind and I felt very lucky to work with such an adventurous and bold artist like her who I admire so much. She isn’t afraid to take risks.
It’s the title of the EP because I feel it encompasses what it’s about thematically – when I sing the lyric ‘Here they come, they’re running down the hill’, I am singing about all the different parts of myself that have felt shame, regret, fear and love. All those parts are coming together, to surrender, to let go of all the expectations. It’s about accepting who you are and where you are at, whatever that looks like.
- Running Underwater
“Running Underwater” I wrote on the piano in an hour. It’s a song that poured out of me. It’s like it was always waiting there to be born. The music video to this song features dancer ‘roya the destroya’ and it has sparked much needed discussions about the lack of representation of disability in the music industry. It’s something that I am passionate about advocating for. I have loved how people have connected to this song, lots of people, whether they’re disabled or not, have reached out saying that it’s made them feel empowered.
- Island
I co-wrote “Island” with Sophie Payten (Gordi) over two writing sessions. It’s about similar experiences that we both shared. The feeling of invisibility and visibility at once. It was a privilege to work with an artist who has influenced me musically. It’s my favourite song on the record because I love how stripped back it is. The story guides you, and it doesn’t need lots of production to draw you in.
- Lilac Dreams
I wrote “Lilac Dreams” during a soundcheck, the chords came to me first and then the melody. I then took it to BIGSOUND where I had a song writing APRA 3,2,1 session with Georgia James Potter (Moreton) and Guy Perkins (Grandpine). They helped me formulate more of the chorus sections.
After that I took the song to my friend’s house in Castlemaine while she was away – she lives in a beautiful treehouse and has a wonderful old piano there. I cried when I finished off the lyrics, because it’s a very personal song to me. It’s my ‘me too’ song.
Eliza will be embarking on the remainder of her Here They Come Tour in January, performing at Sydney Festival, Malthouse Theatre Outdoor Stage in Melbourne and Cube Theatre in Wodonga.
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