After a 2021 spent mostly isolated from the rest of the world in Western Australia, rock & roll cowgirl Siobhan Cotchin's newest release is the single 'Growing Pains' – an "ode to anxiety".
Working with Perth-based producer Sam Ford (Psychedelic Porn Crumpets, Pond, Abbe May), Siobhan recorded the indie-alt ballad at Tone City Recordings, staying close to home to lay down the final tracks."'Growing Pains' is a super-personal song about the realities of growing up," shares Siobhan.
"It's about wanting to avoid all responsibilities of adulthood and the anxieties I think we've all faced at some point about who we are and where we fit in the world.
"It's kind of an ode to my anxiety and the way it makes me act by 'ghosting my friends' and just generally avoiding people.
"I hope with 'Growing Pains', people can find solace and comfort in the lyrics and know it's completely okay to be scared of the future and not know who you are. It's all part of being human!
"It was so incredible to work with Sam Ford at Tone City. I feel like I'm starting fresh and exploring aspects of my music I haven't had the chance to yet.
"I always have the best time in the studio with my band, it was a super-easy process and all just naturally flowed."
Here, Siobhan – the 2021 WAM Award winner of 'Song Of The Year' – shares five 'growing pains' that developed her own artistry.
1: Discovering Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift was the first songwriter I fell in love with, and she is the reason I started to write songs. Discovering her music when I was nine was monumental as I'd finally figured out how I wanted to express myself.I'd discovered a part of me that was dying to be seen and heard. So I picked up the guitar and started writing songs. My Dad taught me some chords on the guitar (he was literally the reason I started playing) and I just went from there.
2: My first gig
My first gig was at the Civic Hotel in 2009. I was a part of a music showcase put on by the Sound Centre, which was where I learnt guitar.I remember I was onstage, my guitar bigger than me, and I felt this rush of adrenaline. It was such an important moment because performing is now my favourite part of being a musician. I feel like my most authentic self when I'm onstage.
3: Graduating high school
I think this is an important moment in most people's lives, and I'm no exception. I am grateful for the experience I had and the friends I surrounded myself with, but I think there was always a part of me that felt I didn't belong.I didn't really have any like-minded people in regards to music that I could confide in, or even collaborate with, so I felt quite lonely. I used to spend my lunch times in the music room just practicing or writing songs.
Once I left school and went on to study music full time at WAAPA, I felt like I'd finally found my people and I fit somewhere. I started to actually find out who I was and my sound.
4: COVID-19 Pandemic
Like literally everyone on this planet, COVID-19 affected me immensely. I really struggled with my mental health and coming to terms with the fact that I couldn't play gigs or travel.I think that it was an important part in my life, however, because it made me stronger and more resilient. I learnt a lot of lessons, wrote a lot of songs and worked on myself during the lockdowns, and part of me is grateful for that time we had to step away for a bit and really be able to look inward.
5: Travelling to Nashville
I went on a family holiday with my parents in December 2016 to the US and it was so incredible and surreal. Obviously, my favourite part of the trip was getting to see Nashville for the first time.It lit this fire in me and made me want to be the best possible songwriter I could be. I felt so inspired going to all the museums, honky-tonks, and, my favourite, watching live music at the Bluebird Cafe! I cried when we had to leave because I felt like I was home.
It reignited my love for country music too, something that will always be part of me.
Siobhan Cotchin 2022 Tour Dates
Fri 17 Jun - Freo.Social (Fremantle)* supporting ThornbirdFri 12 Aug - The River House (Margaret River)* supporting Dulcie & Supathick
Sat 24 Sep - Good Day Sunshine Festival (Busselton)
Thu 29 Sep - Astor Theatre (Perth)* supporting The Whitlams
