Amid touring, releasing a new EP and raising money for charity, Katie Noonan is one, busy woman.
You might know Katie from the four time ARIA Award-winning band, George, as well as endeavouring in other various projects, such as The Captains and Elixir, as well collaborations with the likes of Tim Finn, Sia and, most recently, Sydney dance duo Flight Facilities.
To prepare for her upcoming album, Noonan released a five-track EP – 'Peace Is My Drug' – exclusively on PledgeMusic, an online platform where fans can buy the album, knowing that five percent of the proceeds go to BeyondBlue, an organisation dedicated to combating and assisting depression. The results of her endeavour, however, were something that she never saw coming. “Amazingly it reached well over 100 percent of its target and two days, which is really incredible.
“It was very nice because at the time I was locked in the studio madly as you do, you know, lost madly in the world of the studio vortex. Then I kept on getting texts from my manager saying wow its already at 30 percent. Then by Saturday morning it had reached target.”
Obviously an effort in itself, I found it only right to dig deeper into what PledgeMusic was and how her music was helping people in need. “Basically, Pledge is just a form of crowdfunding that's specifically for music. You can also pledge for the physical copy instead and get the download as a bonus for taking a punt on the record before it's actually finished and you know, there are all sorts of the things. Some people, well not everyone, but I decided to have a charitable component as well 'cause I think I wanted it to not just be about me I guess.“I think BeyondBlue are amazing and they support people in times of need, I think they're a wonderful charity so I decided to put it on Pledge. The more money, the more it goes to BeyondBlue which is amazing. It’s basically a really new border, a new model for independent artists making their record. You can have these great connections with your fans. The crowd becomes the record label, the audience becomes the label.”
As well as this, Katie is offering people who contribute to the Pledge fund the chance for a one-on-one mentoring session, as well as a signed copy of the EP and an at-home private concert.
A tribute to the mobility and convenience of modern technology in music, Noonan agrees the use of the platform is definitely a step forward in the way musicians and bands can get their music out there. “When we were starting up with george, you know, the only way to be heard was with a record deal and now that's absolutely not it at all, which is exciting because we have more options available. More freedom, more transparency and more connection with your audience directly.”
Australian poet Michael Leuning was also a part of the creation of 'Peace Is My Drug', who inspired the record's name from the opening line of his poem 'Peace'. “I co-wrote the song with Michael, so we've been working together with my trio Elixir then we're working on making an entire album of Leuning/ Elixir collaborations which is gonna be fucking exciting, I cant wait! We've already written about half the album, and then I wrote this particular song, 'Peace Is My Drug', and I thought wow this really suits my solo record as well, I did a version for myself but that you'll hear on EP, but yeah the only song I've written with him on this record. It’s a nice introduction to the sound world of the record.”
Written by Joel Marshall
Katie Noonan Tour Dates
Thu 12 Mar – The Toff In Town (Melbourne)Fri 13 Mar – Wellars Restaurant (Melbourne)
Sat 14 Mar – Aurora Speigeltent (Adelaide)
Wed 18 Mar – Lizotte's Restaurant (Sydney)
Thu 19 Mar – Newtown Social Club (Sydney)
Fri 20 Mar – Heritage Hotel (Bulli)
Sat 21 Mar – Brass Monkey (Sydney)
Sun 22 Mar – Lizotte's Restaurant (Newcastle)
Fri 27 Mar – Ipswich Civic Centre
Sat 28 Mar – The Triffid (Brisbane)
Sun 29 Mar – Solbar (Sunshine Coast)
