Can you please introduce yourself and tell us a bit about your musical journey and background?
Ny name is Salli Edwards and I am a singer songwriter based in Melbourne, Australia. I just released my new album ‘City Life’ which features my latest single ‘Stars and Snowlfakes.’
I was born in Tokyo, Japan and have lived in Manila, Canberra, San Francisco and Milan. I’ve always loved music and started singing as a child. I sang in choirs in school and also did theatre. But it wasn’t until I was much older and living in San Francisco, where I worked as a journalist, that I decided to pursue music seriously – although I wouldn’t say I just got up one day and decided that music would be my career! I was in a band, or more accurately a duo, and we started out doing covers of our favourite songs.
Eventually, I felt the need to branch out and start writing my own songs to be able to fully express myself and write from my own personal experiences. Once I made that decision, it’s like the dam just broke and suddenly all these songs started to come out! I was also going through a lot in my personal life at the time, so writing songs provided a much-needed emotional release. But it was many years of travel, personal growth and moving around before I finally recorded and released my first album ‘Revolving Doors’ in 2020 while in lockdown.
Who are some of your biggest musical influences, and how have they shaped your sound and style?
Among my biggest musical influences would be Aimee Mann, Liz Phair, Stevie Nicks, Suzanne Vega, Burt Bacharach and Sharon van Etten. I think what makes me unique is that I don’t stick to just one genre or musical style. I like all kinds of music – I listen to everything from indie, folk, rock, electronica, R&B, soul, lounge and even jazz. I also love listening to music from the 50s to the 80s, and even older music such as trad jazz.
I think all of these influences come out in my music so each song sounds different but they also have a unique sound that ties them together which a lot of people tell me is really hard to describe! Beat Magazine described my first album ‘Revolving Doors’ as ‘genre-spanning.’ Same could be said about my latest album ‘City Life.’ It has tracks like ‘Stars and Snowflakes’ and ‘My First Morning Without You’ that delve into my alternative, shoegaze influences, ‘Golden Days’ which is a folky ballad, ‘Toronado’ has a jazzy, lounge feel to it and ‘Patience’ is almost soul pop. Hopefully that is what makes me stand out in that I am versatile and can appeal to different tastes in music.
Can you share a specific artist or album that has had a significant impact on your music?
Too many to mention! I have so many all-time favourite songs and albums that I still play on constant rotation. One of these albums would be ‘I’m With Stupid’ by Aimee Mann. It has the most glorious collection of such well-written songs. Each song is a story in itself and has such intelligent lyrics. Not to mention the songs are all so catchy and stay in your head even hours after listening – and in my case, years! Aimee Mann, and this album in particular, have been such a big influence on my songwriting to this day.
What’s your creative process like when you’re composing or writing a new song?
I am constantly writing songs – in my head, in my journal, on scraps of paper. I find
inspiration in everything around me, from the mundane to the profound. There is a song just waiting to be written all around me and from the things I see and experience.
It’s not really a set process for me in terms of writing a song – I’m sure that’s how it is with all songwriters! Often it starts with a melody or a hook in my head. A lot of songs come to me when I am doing things like walking or when I wake up in the morning. I then sing the melody into my phone to help me remember it because the idea can really disappear quickly sometimes.
Then I pick up the guitar and play around with some chords to fit the melody. After that, I rifle through my piles of lyrics to see if there is anything that goes with the melody or the mood of the song. Sometimes, it’s the other way around and a song starts with the lyrics and I noodle around with the guitar to find a melody that goes with the message or feel the song is trying to convey. I’ve also written songs starting with a chord progression and then write the melody from there. Some songs I have written in less than 20 minutes, other songs have taken months, where I might start with an idea and come back to it much later when it’s more fleshed out.
Overall, I think it’s important to not force the creative process. If somehow it’s just not working or coming together, you can’t force it or the song will just sound forced and uninspired. There is a flow that happens when it is all coming together and if it’s not there, it means the song is not quite ready to be born yet!
Among all the songs you’ve created, do you have a personal favorite? If so, what makes it special to you?
I was in lockdown at home during the pandemic and wrote my song called ‘Traces’ which is on my first album ‘Revolving Doors.’ I love performing this song as it is quite an emotional song and is a way for me to really connect with the audience.
Can you share the story or inspiration behind that particular song?
I remember it was very early days of the pandemic when people were just learning about COVID-19 and there was so much uncertainty all over the world. I was going through so many emotions at the time and I picked up my guitar and played around with some chords. Then I started channelling what I was feeling about the world at the time, about being in lockdown and unable to be with loved ones, and the uncertainty of this deadly virus that we knew so little about. The song pretty much came out in about 20 minutes, lyrics and melody.
Let’s talk about your latest song. What’s the title, and what’s the story or message behind it?
My latest single ‘Stars and Snowflakes’ is from my new album ‘City Life.’ It’s inspired by a line from the classic ‘80s film ‘Moonstruck.’ I love classic films and this would be one of my all-time favourites. The line stuck with me for years – the premise is about how we are all put on this earth to mess things up, love the wrong people and make mistakes. That’s because we are not perfect and only the stars and snowflakes are perfect. I stored that in the back of my mind and told myself I would write a song about that one day!
Share a memorable or unique experience from one of your live performances.
I once played a solo gig on a boat. It was a fundraiser for an organisation that supported families of victims of crime. I remember playing my song ‘My First Morning Without You’ which I hadn’t recorded yet, and the reception I got from the people attending was incredible. As a songwriter and artist, knowing how your music can touch even just one person out there in the world can be the most rewarding feeling. I occasionally have people writing to me and saying how much my songs have resonated with them or telling me which one is their favourite and why.
Beyond music, do you have any hobbies or interests that you’re passionate about? How do they influence your music?
I’ve always been passionate about movies. Many of my songs are inspired by scenes or lines from my favourite movies, such as ‘Stars and Snowflakes.’
Is there a dream collaboration you’d like to pursue in the future?
I would love to collaborate with someone like Aimee Mann or maybe someone in a totally different genre, like country or R&B!
What advice would you give to aspiring musicians who are just starting their journey in the music industry?
Firstly, don’t be too wedded to one style or genre of music. Leave yourself open to all kinds of influences, listen to different types of artists and styles, as all of these can influence your own music and contribute to creating something uniquely your own.
Second, as a songwriter, I believe it’s really important to be willing to be vulnerable. The songs have to come from a really authentic and genuine place. Otherwise, it just comes out sounding hollow and contrived. The songs I connect with the most are the ones that make me feel something emotionally. I try to follow the same principle with my own songwriting by being honest and true to create something that listeners can connect with emotionally.
Can you give us a sneak peek into any upcoming projects or new music you have in the works? What can your fans and listeners look forward to from you in the near future?
After I finish a major project like an album, I take a rest to ‘fill the well.’ This is what I call taking the time to replenish the creative stores and fill my head with new inspirations and ideas. My next album could sound totally different!
I would love to have a song placement in a movie, TV show or advertisement – I think that is every indie artist’s dream! In the next few years, I would like to record a third album or EP.