Melbourne based indie-folk songwriter has released her debut single ‘Take My Heart With You’ and is launching it at Bar 303 on September 18.
“Life is hard, therapy is expensive, songwriting is free.”
For singer-songwriter Ruby Dattner, writing songs is a way of grieving, processing and moving through life. Dattner says she wants her music to be a reminder that anyone can pick up a guitar and “talk about it”. The same rings true for her new release ‘Take My Heart With You’. Sonically, it’s heartbreak with somewhere to go: rich guitar riffs and lush harmonies from Dattner’s sisters sit beneath bright vocals before the track kicks into a driving catchy chorus. Then comes the bridge, a turn towards soft rock that gets the feet moving, the heart soaring and, eventually, the chorus circles back for a final breath out.
The song moves through the fixations, frustrations and oscillations of a relationship falling apart, “I don’t know how to lose you,” she sings. “It’s just true for me. Lover, friend, foe…If they’re leaving me, they’ll be taking my heart, or at least a part of it with them. I’m not so good at goodbyes.”
It’s vulnerable and honest, but it’s not supposed to leave you sitting sadly in the corner all day. Dattner has little interest in the idea that sad music has to be miserable. “If I’m going to write songs about sad things, I want to make sure it’s helping people move on so they can go and get shit done. That’s exactly what my music does for me.”
Raised in a family of musicians and inspired by artists including Gillian Welch, Laura Marling and Angie McMahon, Dattner brings stories of grief, love and loss into an indie-folk sound with plenty of room for humour, joy and a bloody good time. “I can’t wait for more, I have so many songs and stories to share with you all”.
Dattner will launch ‘Take My Heart With You’ at Bar 303 Bandroom on September 18, alongside Hannie Day and Banjo Lucia.
So, bring your heartbreak. Bring the feelings you’ve been avoiding.
Have a cry. Then have a dance.
And get on with it.
