Hot on the release of her new album, country music artist Caitlyn Shadbolt is heading to Newcastle later this month.
With Bloom & Surrender now available, the former The X Factor Australia finalist (2014) will support Brad Cox at The Cambridge Hotel on Thursday 22 June.
Her latest offering explores the two sides of the accomplished singer/songwriter as a performer – the extroverted and introverted.
“For the most part, I’m a happy-go-lucky, country-loving, small-town girl,” Shadbolt said.
“But, like everyone, I also have a side that is reflective and introverted.
“I really wanted to share both of them.
“However, I was unsure how best to deliver it.
“So, here we are, with two ‘sides’, sharing the extroverted and introverted side of me.”
After her reality television appearance, Shadbolt secured a recording deal with ABC MUSIC and unveiled her debut, Songs On My Sleeve (May 2017).
Upon release, it reached #1 on the ARIA Country Album chart.
The first single, My Breakup Anthem, held the top spot on the National Country Airplay Chart for more than eight consecutive weeks and became the second most played song on country radio.
She was recognised for her achievements by winning the CMC Award for Best New Artist, along with a nomination for Female Artist of the Year.
Her next album, Stages, had a more polished pop country feel to match her developing songwriting and guitar playing.
It included the hits Edge of the Earth, Two Lost Lovers and Porcelain.
Shadbolt worked from her home in Gympie with producer Stuart Stuart, bringing it to life in his Brisbane Analog Heart studio.
She also collaborated with other songwriting talent including Sarah Buckley (The Buckleys), Alana Springsteen (US singer/songwriter) and Dylan Nash (Dean Lewis), to name a few.
Now, Bloom & Surrender is set to continue her impressive journey.
“You ever scream a song at the top of your lungs but don’t actually know what the lyrics mean?” she said.
“Yeah, that’s Bloom; this side is a party.
“Forget trying to be serious, let your inner child out for a moment and dance.
“This side feels like eating cake for breakfast. Or being the first person on the dance floor. Or going on an adventure, just because.
“Do all these songs make sense? No. But do they need to? Also no.”
Shadbolt’s current single, Monsters, is also lifted off the Bloom side and is the follow up to Lost On Me and the hit Dumb Decisions.
“Singing, writing – music in general, is so therapeutic to me,” she said.
“I started writing the songs from Surrender in 2020 (you know, that chaotic time).
“And, I felt like the word really encapsulated the essence of them.
“Surrender to having no idea. Surrender to expectations and how you think your life will unfold. Surrender to how you really feel. Just let it happen.
“Sometimes I write with intention and other times I write without realising there’s stuff I need to get out.
“I encourage you to interpret the songs however they resonate with you.”
The first single from the Surrender side, Fly On The Wall, was another taste of the album in the lead up to its release.
In 2023, Shadbolt will also hit the road, not only playing CMC Rocks but also The Big Red Bash, Mundi Mundi Bash and Gympie Muster.
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