The stage is set for Elly-May Barnes as she unveils her debut album ‘No Good’, out now through ABC Music. Having grown up surrounded by a seriously musical family, it’s time for her to take the spotlight.
No Good is an irresistible mix of Elly-May’s influences and from first listen, it will force you to come back for more. It is as clever as it is musically ranging – with elements of 60’s, 70’s & 80’s rock n roll, through to pop. There are echoes of her rock goddesses – Joan Jett, Debbie Harry, Chrissy Amphlett – and then there is her love of Bob Dylan which is laid bare on the last track. Elly-May has recorded a debut album reflective of who she is and the music she loves.
With a lifelong love of writing and performing music, her debut solo album, ‘No Good’ has been taking shape behind the scenes for many years, writing at her father’s studio with friends like Davey Lane, Shane Nicholson and the enviable list of collaborators you’ll find in the album’s track listing, as well as quietly working on her own material as her vision took shape.
Elly-May explains, “Music has as always been my greatest source of joy and has got me through my darkest times. Creating my own music, my own little world has been such an amazing, fun and emotional process and I can’t wait to share it with the world. I hope people connect with it.”
No Good brings together an A-Team of Elly-May’s family, loved ones and huge musical influences – who just happen to be the crème de la crème of the Australian and New Zealand music industry. It’s extremely fitting that the people who have influenced Elly throughout her life were by her side to bring the vision of her unique debut to life.
Neil Finn, who rarely writes with or for other artists, also wrote a song for the album. She’s A Thought has a shimmering melody, harmonies and words to match and if it already wasn’t special enough, Split Enz keyboard player, Eddie Rayner, adds his magic touch to the song. Video below.
In continuing with the theme of music legends, a special mention must be made to the one-and-only Don Walker, who gave the ‘Chisel’ classic 20th Century a modern makeover titled 21st Century. Twice named Producer of the Year (CMA), singer/songwriter Shane Nicholson (Suze DeMarchi, Alex Lloyd, Catherine Britt) has produced half the songs on No Good, with Elly-May. Mark Lizotte (Diesel) produced the other half of the album, as well as contributing a number of songs.
No Good is a testament to Elly-May’s extraordinary determination not to let anything stand in her way to make her fierce mark in today’s music world. To paraphrase Phil Spector, to know Elly-May is to love her.
