We’ve said it before: Western Australia is a hotbed for exciting singer/songwriters. Another talented artist to emerge is Fremantle’s Stella Cain, who only last month released her debut single, “River”. We are thrilled today to be premiering the follow-up, the beautiful and moving “Dog”, ahead of its release on Friday.
“Dog” is a stirring track, a powerful take-down of an ex-partner who has clearly failed to live up to their promises. Powerful vocals, stirring chords on the piano, backed with a wonderful choir, the message is piercing and effective. Despite the heartbreak, there is an uplifting strength that resonates. The track was produced by the wonderful St South.
Stella has a neat turn of phrase – the opening couple of lines don’t miss, and eloquently lay the groundwork. “I wish we could collect all those little kisses and take them back to give to someone new”. Stella shared with the AU the background to “Dog”.
“‘Dog’ is a different approach to songwriting for me, something more pop focused, a ballad that is meant to enliven a broken heart. Although it is the youngest song on the EP, it sparked the musical relationship between St. South (Liv) and I. I was in a phase of playing with my songwriting, trying genre specific exercises and games, setting myself challenges for styles to try. I was enamoured by pop music and ‘Dog’ grew from this exploration. I sent Liv a voice memo of the song in its rawest form, just me and the piano, and she loved it. We met up at their house sitting place to record it for fun and I was touched by how positive it was to collaborate with another queer artist, and this began the conception of the Roddy EP. I am so grateful for the artistic touches and production on Dog, the curation of the soundscape is so tastefully put together by Liv.
This song is meant to feel like it’s stirring you to remain fierce after a breakup. I wanted it to feel anthemic in its heartbreak, letting the listener fall into the indulgent notion that whoever hurt them will get what’s coming for them. The track celebrates the bond between people who share their stories, wisdom, and experiences in relationships—helping one another realise what to accept and what they deserve.
It’s also a call-out to our queer communities where we find our most meaningful connections and support. The choir I teach every Wednesday night added their beautiful voices to this track, lending their harmonies to the line, ‘Tell her to call me instead.'” I imagine all of those voices carrying each other through the shit bits and lifting each other up. I believe the choir grounds this song, it’s pop focused but with the heart of a ballad. ‘Dog’ is about surviving the end of a relationship knowing that staying true to yourself will help to heal and move forward. I hope you get to scream-cry to this song and that it is as cathartic as it is bad ass.”
“Dog” is certainly cathartic. You will be able to find it, and the debut single “River” on Stella’s EP Roddy, which will be released in early April. In the meantime, enjoy “Dog”and be sure to pre-save it HERE.
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