Electronic singer-songwriter Genevieve Sovereign is a new artist I’ve discovered who is based in Melbourne, Australia. The track I reviewed was called Vibration Angle, although her music has quite an eclectic sound as a whole, constantly keeping you guessing. Find out more about Genevieve below!
How was your 2022?
Both pretty amazing and darn hectic! After launching my debut EP It’s Yours in March, I then released two subsequent singles – Vibration Angle and Life Soaked Reveal in November and December 2022 respectively.
I’ve also been working to deepen my professional network and collaboration opportunities – particularly through becoming Melbourne Coordinator for the Australian Songwriters Conference (www.australiansongwritersconference.com/circles/asc-melbourne-circle) and exploring cross-genre contributor prospects as a classically trained flutist. Now spring-boarding off the past several months’ progress, I’ve got big plans to release further independent and collaborative work both – throughout 2023 and beyond. Exciting times!
You recently released a single titled Vibration Angle. What can you tell us about the track?
Released in November 2022, Vibration Angle was the first in a fresh new series of EDM /IDM collaboration singles I’m in the process of releasing with producer Ben Tenison. Building up from our combined strengths in arrangement, production and cerebrally visceral songwriting, we’ve endeavoured to craft surreal soundscapes enmeshed with thought-provoking messages throughout this project.
This aim has continued through our December 2022 release Life Soaked Reveal, which was released on the birthday and in memory of my late friend Luke Paulding (www.soundcloud.com/luke-paulding), a Melbourne-based composer who was instrumental in me first deciding to explore music creation.
The artwork and design for all of these releases is my own also. This ongoing series artwork concept involves progress snapshots of old drawing works-in-progress of mine from over the years, expressing the underlying theme of meaning-within-meaning: That there are always deeper layers, new perspectives, and growing refinement of expression possible.
How has the reception to Vibration Angle been so far, and where can the song be purchased?
Vibration Angle can be downloaded / streamed on all major music service platforms as per…
The reception has been wonderful! Not only has there been strong interest from a variety of online blogs and music content curators, but both Vibration Angle and Life Soaked Reveal have additionally received radio airplay on domestic stations here in Australia! Very exciting for us.
Life Soaked Reveal is also available for streaming and download on all the major music service platforms at…
Of course, the most supportive way that listeners can access both singles (as well as my “It’s yours.” EP) is through direct purchase from my Bandcamp page.
Whichever option you choose, we hope you enjoy!
The track also features Ben Tenison. How did the collaboration come about?
Ben and I first met online in early 2022 – through various Zoom workshops run by the Australian Songwriters Conference, which I’ve since become the Melbourne Coordinator for! Our first collaboration pieces began taking shape with my toplining (i.e. writing lyrics and vocal melody for) a number of instrumental tracks initially started by Ben. Over subsequent months, we’ve continued refining each song’s elements – including the arrangements, production components, lyrics and vocals.
Ben is based on the other side of the country in Brisbane, so he sends his recorded vocal takes electronically through to me. Then working with my own team here in Melbourne – comprised of vocal coach Emily Saaen, as well as audio engineer and owner-operator of Black Lodge Studios (www.theblacklodgestudios.com) Joel Taylor – my own vocal components are recorded in-studio. It’s something of a juggling act at times, but a very worthwhile challenge!
Do you plan to release any more singles in the near future?
I’m currently sitting on a HEAP of fresh songs that I’m hoping to finalise, record and release over coming months – my own, as well as further collaborations with Ben and others! I’m thinking next up might be Midday Blue, which is an electro-acoustic piece I’ve had on the back-burner since 2021… It’s likely to be followed by further collaborations with Ben such as Present Dreams or Random Collusion or Unmade Endeavour – there are so many solid candidates! I’ve got a bit of strategising to do around the release order, haha.
Do you plan to release an EP or an album anytime soon?
I’d certainly love to, as I’ve got dozens of unreleased songs in various stages of development at present. Definitely aiming to get more music into the world, and looking forward to seeing what evolves organically from here. Stoked for the coming year and beyond, that’s for sure!
Your music has a poppy sound. What/who influences you most as an artist? What have you been listening to recently?
I’ve always had eclectic tastes, and enjoy all kinds of music. But I suppose the styles I gravitated to earliest in my life were various flavours of electronic, pop, rock, new age and ambient music – as well as traditional folk tunes and instrumentation! Perhaps that’s a strange preference combination, but I’ve always admired the power of great leading hooks supported by complementary soundscaping. That’s probably what I strive to achieve in my own music too, in its various forms, now I think about it!
People have described my general sound (and my EPs have a more experimental vibes) as kind of a hybrid between Massive Attack, Enya, The Knife and Björk. Maybe with a sprinkling of Jonna Lee (iamamiwhoami) and Mogli thrown in… all of which I’m incredibly stoked about! By contrast, my recent collaboration work with Ben Tenison has a much more EDM/pop flavour than the sounds from my EP. The tracks co-created with Ben have been described as sorta Yazoo meets The Human League… which I consider a huge compliment too!
Where are you based? What is the music scene like in your part of the world?
Although I’m originally from Ontario, Canada, I’ve been living in Melbourne, Australia for well over a decade and absolutely LOVE it here! Melbourne also has the advantage of being regarded as Australia’s ‘cultural capital’ – home to many of the nation’s premiere creative institutions, vibrant artistic communities and performance venues – massive-to-micro. It’s probably one of the best places in the world to be an artist right now, which is pretty handy!
Do you have any tour dates lined up for the UK?
Well, I’d sure love to be in a position to someday – maybe in a future life, haha! If your readers want an in-person taste of some EXCELLENT Australian electro-folk vibes though, Melbourne legends Dandelion Wine (www.dandelionwine.band) are touring Europe this year – including a major performance at the Festival Mediaval in Selb, Germany. DW are absolutely brilliant live, and their co-founding member Nicholas Albanis has been a wonderfully kind and patient musical mentor to me throughout the past couple of years. Highly recommended!
Any last words for the fans?
Thanks so much for giving me this space to share a little about my work. It’s been a real pleasure! I’d like to invite anyone interested in sharing the journey with me to check out my website www.genevievesovereign.com or connect through any of my platforms per https://linktr.ee/genevievesovereign – I always love the adventure!