CHITRA DEBUT VINYL EP IN STORES NOW + ANNOUNCES FREE IN-STORE @ ROCKSTEADY RECORDS
Today Melbourne songwriting dreamboat CHITRA releases her debut self-titled EP on Limited Edition Translucent Red Vinyl. The EP was originally released digitally right at the dawn of the pandemic, which means we've all had plenty of time to get acquainted with the EP and realise that nothing could beat hearing it played straight from the turntable.
The record features previously released singles 'Leaving', 'Keep Up', 'Better Than Before' and 'A Kind', the latter inspiring Pilerats to describe Chitra as "a buzzing master of emotive storytelling and the empowerment that comes with it; her subtle combination of sounds rooted in thick emotion and a sense of uplifting."
Following her two sold out launch shows at The Retreat Hotel last night Chitra is excited to announce a free, all-ages show at Rocksteady Records on Friday May 7. To celebrate the vinyl being available to purchase in-stores Chitra and her band will be playing in one of our favourite record stores from 6pm. Capacity is limited so show up early to secure your spot.
Chitra’s songs capture the candid and lived in space of in-betweenness of an old soul growing up and navigating the present with an observant and cuttingly self aware lens. Each song offers a vulnerable new insight, individually and collectively weaving a complex narrative. Her love of 50s & 60s girl groups like The Supremes and The Shirelles shines through on the production and vocal performance as well as influences from modern day heroes such as Molly Burch, Angel Olsen and Adrianne Lenker of Big Thief.
Growing up surrounded by the diverse musical influences on the Bellarine Peninsula, Chitra’s sound is unrefined by formal training and blossoms with the self assuredness and freedom of a coastal kid.
Chitra recorded this debut Self-Titled EP with new collaborators Dylan Young (Way Dynamic, Emma Russack, Snowy Band) on guitar & piano, Lehman B Smith (Totally Mild, Grand Salvo) on bass and Maria Moles (Jaala, Mild Life, Doroth) on drums. With the band and production team emerging from different backgrounds, each bringing their own musical language to the table. Chitra braved the highly vulnerable process to capture each specific feeling in its entirety through collaboration, trial & error and embarking on unexpected avenues of discovery for a formerly solo artist.
Chitra’s effortlessly cool energy and endearing magnetism emerges from her definiteness to remain wholly herself in her writing and music, making work that is deeply grounded in the honesty of her day to day. She represents a strong and free thinking creative emerging within Australian culture that strives for creative authenticity rather than conventional milestones of the past.