Emerging Sydney singer-songwriter Kel introduces us to his musical world with the debut single ‘Paradise’.
The track is emotive and rock-inspired, and is an entirely written and arranged by Kel. A story of lost love, the track is almost sonically split into three chapters – each sounding slightly different than the last and evoking new emotions. ‘Paradise’ was also inspired by the likes of Finneas, Conan Gray, and even Taylor Swift. It was produced by John Castle (Vance Joy’s ‘Riptide’, Megan Washington, Angus & Julia Stone, Cub Sport).
“‘Paradise’ is a song about a break-up. It’s a metaphor about losing something special about a place you might’ve shared with someone else, and how places and feelings change sometimes,” Kel says. “It was inspired by a trip with my friends to a beach on the South Coast, New South Wales. I wanted to write a song that felt like that place.”
Accompanying the track, then, is a video that brings this inspiration to life. It was a DIY and family affair – made during a family holiday.
“As a current film student, I was keen to direct and film my own video. When I was writing the song, the opening lyrics stuck out to me. Sunrise and long hikes,” Kel describes.
“So, I knew I wanted the main visuals to be central around a beach. The song is about a favourite place that doesn’t belong to you anymore. I’ve found that often we connect certain places with people, and when that connection’s lost, the place is not the same.”
scenestr is pumped to be presenting the track and its music video before the official release. Enjoy.
The track and its video are a feast for the senses, with the video utilising a mixture of low light beach and street shots and rhythmic cuts to go hand-in-hand with the music. The song starts off slow and melancholy, just the piano and Kel’s vocals. . . Before drums and guitars join the conversation for the middle of the track and things come back down to earth to close it off.
With Kel hailing from a musical family, he began to play instruments and sing while in high school. . . Before penning his first original compositions in year 12. Eventually, he came across John Castle and fell in love with his sound and catalogue of tracks.
Soon enough, ‘Paradise’ was born – but it wasn’t a simple process. The track was conjured over phone calls and Zoom sessions, and then mastered at Studios 301 by Steve Smart. Audiences in Sydney will be able to watch Kel premiere the track live at The Great Club.
“You can expect a large variety of different songs,” Kel says on what’s on offer at his show. “A lot of the time when I’m writing, I pull inspiration from other genres, so my live shows are a mixture of exciting and vibrant songs with a huge band, as well as some slower songs where it’s just me playing and singing with a piano. It’s a mix of ballads, rock driven sounds, and acoustic story telling.”
‘Paradise’ is officially launched at The Great Club (Marrickville) 13 April.
