In one of the most poignant moments of this year's ARIA ceremony, some of Australia's most celebrated female singer-songwriters performed a moving rendition of 'I Am Woman' – a tribute to one of Australia's most beloved artists, Helen Reddy.
Alongside the likes of Delta Goodrem, Jessica Mauboy and Marcia Hines was Amy Shark.The Queensland-born singer, who has been refreshingly candid about her struggles to make it in the music industry, seemed right at home among the songstresses, and deservedly so.
In a time of fierce streaming competition, overnight viral sensations and an over saturation of reality singing competitions, Shark has proven to be one of the few artists in recent memory to have the staying power to see her rightfully stand alongside some of Australia's best.
Since her breakout hit 'Adore' in 2016, Shark has gone on to release consecutive hit after hit, sweep the ARIAs (she has a total of 8 ARIAs), top the charts with her 2018 debut studio album 'Love Monster', and has worked with the The Chainsmokers, and Taylor Swift's frequent collaborator Jack Antanoff on the 'Love, Simon' soundtrack gut-wrencher, 'Sink In'.
Now Shark is set to make waves with her sophomore release, 'Cry Forever' (due 30 April, 2021) that she had completed prior to the COVID-19 outbreak and is eagerly awaiting to share with her fans.
"The album was done at the start of the year before I even knew what COVID was. All the songs were done and recorded, so I spent the whole of [quarantine] finessing it and preparing it, and just making sure it was perfect."
Amy reveals that the songwriting on 'Cry Forever' is a lot more autobiographical than her previous releases. "What I'm excited about this album is that it's so current and there's definitely some past experiences that leak through.
"I'm kind of letting a lot of people in on what the last three years have been like and just telling more, and giving more about myself and what my story is.
"I wasn't ready to do that with 'Love Monster' and I don't think people were even ready then to hear it, but I feel pretty ready now and I'm comfortable as an artist.
"I think this album is a really great balance of acoustic, heavy songs and beats, and it's still me, it's still the same stuff. I think it's just taken it to a healthy next level."
While fans have had a little taste of what to expect from 'Cry Forever', with singles 'Everybody Rise' and 'C'MON' featuring Travis Barker, Shark insists there is still "a lot to unpack" and that her new song 'All The Lies About Me' (which was released today), is a great introduction to this new era.
"When I came out with 'Everybody Rise', everyone was like 'is this what we can expect from the album?' and in my head I'm like 'absolutely not'.
"There's still big pop songs on the album, but 'All The Lies About Me' is very stripped back and acoustic. It's a great story and really lets you in; it's a sad song but it's a very beautiful song and it's fun to play on acoustic [guitar]."
'Cry Forever' also includes a track with Grammy-winner Keith Urban, ‘Love Songs Ain't For Us'. "Keith asked me to sing a song with him at the 2018 ARIAs and I was like 'oh my God I love this song'; it's called 'Parallel Lines'.
"Then we kept in contact and I played another gig with him at the end of last year, and we just got on really well.
"He's super funny and then I hung out with Nicole [Kidman] in New York, which sounds so nuts but I kind of feel like I know the family and then once I had written this song; I felt like this song was lacking something and then as soon as someone mentioned Keith, I just jumped at it and prayed that he would be a part of it; and Keith just being classic Keith added exactly what it needed and he didn't overcook it. He knew exactly what to do and it just turned out better for it."
To coincide with the album release, Shark will embark on a seven-date 'Cry Forever' national tour next winter.
The singer recently won ARIA awards for Best Australian Live Act and Best Pop Release, and says the live act award particularly means so much more especially during a period when live shows have not been possible.
"That award was really special; if it wasn't for the people that I have at my shows, I wouldn't be able to get up as confident as I do.
"I'm so excited to play with the guys and get the team back together again, and it's going to be so fun to play these songs live."
'Cry Forever' will be released 30 April, 2021.
Amy Shark 2021 Tour Dates
Sat 12 Jun - Qudos Bank Arena (Sydney)Fri 18 Jun - Rod Laver Arena (Melbourne)
Sat 19 Jun - Wrest Point Lawns (Hobart)
Fri 25 Jun - HOTA (Gold Coast)
Sat 26 Jun - The Riverstage (Brisbane)
Thu 1 Jul - AEC Theatre (Adelaide)
Sat 3 Jul - RAC Arena (Perth)
