Interview: Bronte Alva Chats About Her Latest Offering, ‘Taylor Swift’
Dharawal/Wollongong-based indie rock artist Bronte Alva has unveiled her latest single ‘Taylor Swift‘ – produced by Wayne Connolly (Babe Rainbow, Hoodoo Gurus, Josh Pyke) at Hercules Street Studios. We recently caught up with Bronte to chat about the new track, early inspirations and more!
Congratulations on your release ‘Taylor Swift’! What are the plans now to celebrate the release?
Listen to a lot of Taylor Swift – the artist!
Walk us through the inspiration behind the title of the track?
I was going through a complicated breakup that resembled Taylor’s track, ‘All Too Well’, which is about being with an older man, and being malleable when we’re young. It covered all of the emotions and conflicts I was experiencing. I had never really been into Taylor Swift, but in this time, she was who connected to me most, hence the lyrics “Now I’m listening to Taylor Swift, thinking about you.”
How was the process writing the lyrics, when trying to convey the story behind the song?
It all came pretty naturally to me. I was reflecting a lot at the time, trying to figure out what went wrong and why I couldn’t make this man like me. I felt like a failure. However, after lots of ruminating and sobbing into pillows, blasting Taylor Swift, I realised that my own manipulation wasn’t my fault. Only until then was I able to look back and mine my experiences to write the lyrics. All the lyrics are true experiences. The frozen cherries, the black coffee, the curating playlists. This song was my own form of closure, accepting the fact that he would never give me any.
When did you first start writing music, and what keeps you inspired to continue to write?
I started writing songs in primary school. I have always felt very deeply and had very strong emotions, so songwriting became my own form of therapy. It continues to be to this day. It’s my outlet. Of course, it can be fun to just make songs for the fun of it, whether they’re about something personal or not, but my love of storytelling always remains in them too. I’ll continue writing songs as long as I continue to feel. I’d go crazy if I didn’t.
What are some of your biggest musical influences to date?
Missy Higgins will always be number one. Jeff Buckly is always up there too. I adore Julia Jacklin and Angie McMahon, WAAX. Taylor Swift’s storytelling will always be what I strive for.
What are your plans for the second half of the year?
There will be a headlining tour to support my new single! This includes Icebreaker Festival and Yours and Owls Festival! There may or may not be plans for more new music too 😉
BRONTE ALVA
TOUR DATES
FRI 28 JUL | TOWRADGI BEACH HOTEL, DHARAWAL/WOLLONGONG NSW
FRI 11 AUG | BOTANY VIEW HOTEL, GADIGAL/SYDNEY NSW
FRI 18 AUG | THE BASEMENT, NGUNNAWAL/CANBERRA ACT
SAT 19 AUG | THE ALLEY BAND ROOM, GADIGAL/SYDNEY NSW
FRI 20 AUG | ICEBREAKER FESTIVAL, GADIGAL/SYDNEY NSW
SAT 26 AUG | STAG AND HUNTER, MULUBINBA/NEWCASTLE NSW
SAT 14-15 OCT | YOURS & OWLS FESTIVAL, DHARAWAL/WOLLONGONG NSW
