Homecoming queen Thelma Plum has been in the public eye her whole adult life since she won Triple J Unearthed’s inaugural National Indigenous Unearthed Music competition at just 17 years old. Her debut album Better in Blak clocked in at number nine on the 2019 Hottest 100.
Now, after a couple of EPs since, she’s back with her second studio album I’m Sorry, Now Say It Back and a national tour. She sat down with Broadsheet to talk about her new mature sound, where she draws her inspiration from, and taking her album on the road.
If people are just discovering your music now, what should they know about you?
I am a singer-songwriter. I love writing music and I am about to release my sophomore album I’m Sorry, Now Say It Back. I definitely want people to know that.
Do the three released singles (Freckles, Nobody’s Baby and We Don’t Talk About It) from the new album reflect the overall feel and sound of the album?
Absolutely. I wrote Nobody’s Baby first. There were a few different versions of it, but they all came from the same place, even though two of them are from like a year apart. But yeah, they all reflect the sound and the production on the record, and I guess the things that I’m writing about. I mean, this not new for me, but I do write a lot about growing up and my childhood.
What was the writing process like for this album? Did all the songs come to you quickly and fully formed or did you start with the melody and work your way back?
It’s funny, like, if I knew the exact way to get it right every time, I would do that same thing every time but [the process with each song] is just so different. Sometimes I can write a song in 20 minutes and then other times I struggle and it takes me a little bit longer. I find that if I start writing a song and then I don’t finish it in that session, then it becomes a little bit more tricky. So I definitely do like to finish my songs in one sitting but it doesn’t always happen that way.
Where were you when you were writing these songs?
I was travelling, so I was in a few different places. I was in London with my producer in his studio. I was in like, Darlinghurst [Sydney] for some of it. In Brissie, in Melbourne – everywhere!
Do you feel like the different cities seep into the music?
I think so. I know London for me felt like it really shaped the record sonically. Each city has like a vibe and a sound, and I was heavily influenced by London in particular with this record.
Were you listening to anything specific while you were in writing mode?
I was listening to so much from ’90s female artists like Sheryl Crow, Meredith Brooks, Shania Twain, Annie Lennox – lots of kind that era of music. I don’t really know why I did that, I did it but it kind of just became a really big influence for the record.
How big of a departure is this from your previous albums?
I’m writing about similar things but I feel like I have a different perspective now. I guess I’m also, like, literally older, but [the music] feels a little bit more mature and a little bit more reflective than my last album.
You’re performing at Apple and then taking the new album on a national tour. What excites you most about performing these songs live?
It’s really nice to perform new songs; it’s really nice to perform my old songs too, but it has been just so special performing Freckles in particular, which is my latest single. It helps bring these songs to life to be able to play them with my band, rather than just, like, hearing them in my headphones. It strengthens the relationship that I have with these songs when I play them live.
And are there any venues or cities that you’re particularly excited to play?
It’s bloody tough. I really do love everywhere – I know everyone says that, but I can’t even choose because I’m so excited to play at like The Forum [Melbourne] and the City Recital Hall [Sydney], and then obviously Brissie is my home, and then WA. Now I feel like I’ve mentioned everywhere except for like two, but I’m just really excited to be back on the road. Okay, if I had to pick then maybe WA, just because I really love going over there. Then also I feel like I should say Brissie…
I’m Sorry, Now Say It Back will be released on October 18, 2024. Pre-save the album here or register to attend the September 7, 2024 performance at Apple here.
