Charlie Lane Releases New Single “Gold Drips”

An edgy and propulsive new sonic delight from Melbourne singer-songwriter Charlie Lane, the single Gold Drips out now meshes layers of indie pop and rock edges with some new wave charm alongside Lane’s trademark self-aware lyricism. Also accompanied by an aptly gold-themed music video, Gold Drips is a shimmering return.

Drafting what would become Gold Drips back in 2019 alongside co-writer Lyra Caltabiano, Lane returned to the track in 2021, taking it to fellow co-writer and producer Adam Jack Heath and developing it together into its final form. Inspired by an eclectic array of artists, including The National, Joy Division, Amy Winehouse, Pink, Kate Nash and Blondie, Lane fused her creative knack for weaving sunshine into relatable honesty alongside diverse inspiration, emerging with a new wave-hued edgy charmer laden with powerful meaning.

Embracing all things gold for the accompanying Gold Drips music video, Lane worked alongside her press photographer Marcus Coblyn to ultimately bring the clip to life. Seemingly simplistic but pulsing with creativity and cohesive meaning, the Gold Drips video first evolved from ice coffee meetings and the fortuitous discovery of a gold-adjacent air stream. Charlie tells Hi Fi Way more about the single.

How has the build-up been leading up to the release of Gold Drips?
It’s been a long build-up but a good one. I guess it’s a mixed bag of emotions, I’ve been stressed, nervous, excited, and now it’s finally out, I feel pretty damn good. Building up to a release I just don’t think a lot of people understand what goes on pre release of a single, EP or Album.

Was the process of making your single and Album as challenging as you thought?
I absolutely love the writing, recording, and studio process. The biggest challenge was that I started writing during Covid lock downs and I couldn’t record the demos with the session musicians I needed. I was sending voice memos back and forth, having zoom meetings with the gang and it just wasn’t working, so it took away a lot of time from the album even getting started. As soon as we got out of the last lockdown it all became much smoother and the demo was done in a couple of months.

Sonically, how would you describe your music?
My music is quite eclectic. I aim to engage the audience not only sonically, but also emotionally. I would say I fall under the Indie sub-genres.

Who would you consider to be the biggest influence on your music and why?
If I had to pick one person, probably my dad. He’s not a musician, you’d probably think I’d pick a musician. But honestly, he introduced me to blues, soul, and the history of music in general. He loves it! He has a collection of records for days on end and he really makes me think deeply about sounds and how they work in the world. Like when I was a kid, we would just go outside and listen to bird calls and he would mimic them, he also just makes up little tunes on the fly which I think is so impressive. They aren’t even bad, they’re actually good. Dad’s also such a deep thinker so I think it rubbed off onto me and my music.

Best piece of advice you have been given?
Take your time with your album. There is no point in rushing something because you feel the pressure from others. If it’s not ready, it’s not ready.

Also, I started in a gospel choir early this year to try and learn harmonies a bit better. I felt completely out of place, and perfectionism got the better of me. I called up an old mentor that reminded me that as artists, we should put ourselves in unfamiliar positions to learn from one another. It’s a good thing, not a bad thing.

What is the “Charlie Lane” life story?
I’ve been writing songs since I was sixteen. Sometimes I couldn’t quite say what I needed to, and music was always a therapeutic release. I studied music at JMC academy in my early twenties and started performing live as Charlie Lane with session musicians straight after. My first performance took place at the 2013 cabaret festival in Melbourne, but I turned into more indie waters soon after. I soon felt I had found my place as a singer – songwriter and now I’m here with two EP’s, a couple of singles and this brand spanking new single ‘Gold Drips’ and album I’m really looking forward to releasing later this year.

Are you looking to tour more broadly?
Yeah, most definitely. I’ve put in a few festival applications that are interstate. I would like to do a regional tour at some stage this year or the start of next and take it from there.

What’s next for you?
Next, I’ll be releasing the second single off the album, I’ll then be releasing the album toward the end of the year so sights are set to really get the live shows up and going as much as possible throughout the year, then set off on tour.

Who’s your favourite Adelaide artist/group at the moment?
Big fan of Wolf & Cub.

Interview By Rob Lyon

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