Woodes – Kingdom Come

By starrymag | July 18, 2023

By: Dianca Yssel

 

 

Q) Your music is described as alternative pop that combines elements of emotion, nostalgia, longing and hope in dynamic and dream anthems. What inspired your sound?

 

A) I love to write about childhood, relationships, quests and visions. I’ve always been drawn to music accompanying visuals and Woodes, as a project, has allowed me to do world building in a really unique way that I adore. I’m always processing and imagining an alternative land for Woodes to live in.

 

Q) Who are your musical influences and what about these artists resonate with you?

 

A) I got into production through Imogen Heap, Coldplay and Death Cab for Cutie. I was driven to storytelling in immersive production environments. I love James Blake, Danny Elfman, The Middle East, Aurora, Sigur Ros, Agnes Obel, Norah Jones, Dido, Caroline Polachek… I’m a big music fan.

 

Q) Congratulations on your new single, “Magic.” The song is described as being delicate and introspective. What story are you telling with it?

 

A) Thank you. “Magic” was the real time story of the end of a relationship. It wasn’t that the love wasn’t there…It was just that we weren’t able to problem solve our way back to common ground. At the beginning of the relationship, we had both acknowledged that a relationship was worth any potential heartbreak one day. Then, when it was at the doorstep it was the worst I’d experienced. It was really personal to write and kind of just charts out the ending.

 

Q) Following the same theme of the music videos for your two previous releases (“Forever After” and “Lifetime”), the music video for “Magic” features you hiking through a beautiful natural landscape. What is the story behind the hiking theme for the music videos?

 

A) I wanted every song to have a special hike around Victoria, in Australia. We went to the Grampians, the Dandenongs and The Great Ocean Road. It was a small group of people filming and we’d just see how the day would unfold. No plan! It was summer and the weather was so warm and inviting. I was chasing sustainability in my art and going hiking with friends felt really beautiful and healing. Victoria was in a lot of lockdowns through the pandemic, so getting outside the city and into nature felt special. I was craving it after so much time in the city.

 

Q) Is the great outdoors a source of inspiration for your music? If so, please tell us why and how it translates into your music?

 

A) I grew up as the only child of a park ranger and a marine biologist in Northern Australia. Nature has always been there as an inspiration, as a teacher and as something that you have to surrender to. I can’t help but be inspired by the patterns of nature and the joy and heartbreak of it. My parents understand nature in so many ways. I find that I know a lot of animal names and plants. I know how things relate to one another and feel really deeply for nature. It’s always been a sort of wonderland and a bottomless place of curiosity and lessons.

 

Q) You released a brand-new EP, Kingdom Come, this June. What is the story behind the title?

 

A) Kingdom Come was the idea of creating a castle with someone and then watching as it fell, brick by brick. Originally, I was thinking a lot about the surprise of things coming “undone” – watching things unravel, feeling solid ground crumble, seeing an uncharted path where there used to be stones and a well-lit map.

“Kingdom Come” was the first song written for this EP and it stayed as the heart of the world.

 

Q) What themes will you be exploring with Kingdom Come?

 

A) Self-love, power, breakups, intuition, sorrow, reflection.

 

Q) What is your creative process when making new music? Do you need lyrics before adding music?

 

A) For this, the lyrics were almost like a stream of consciousness, as they were right on the tip of my tongue. I was writing music and music simultaneously, but it felt like the words were just falling out.

 

Q) Which track(s) hold a special place in your heart and what makes it so significant for you?

 

A) There’s a song called “The Girl,” which is my personal favorite. I cried a lot making it. It was the idea that by breaking up, I was giving space for my ex to find his dream girl.

 

Q) What do you hope your fans will take away when listening to Kingdom Come?

 

A) If you’re going through similar things, I hope this can be a friend to you. A hug or a soundtrack.

 

Q) Your music has appeared on soundtracks for Netflix, Vogue and the hit American TV series, “The Bold Type.” Is writing songs for TV or Film something you wish to pursue more of in future?

 

A) Absolutely. It makes me sooooo happy when I see my music accompany film and TV. I’m living between LA and Melbourne and it’s exciting to be able to work on film projects here.

 

Q) You’ve collaborated with artists like Set Mo, Zolly, LEER, POOLCLVB, Slumberville and Tornado Club. Which artist(s) would you love to collaborate with on a song in future?

 

A) I’d love to work with Hildur Guðnadóttir, Hans Zimmer, James Blake and Bear McCreary.

 

Q) You have also appeared at multiple festivals, including Splendour in the Grass, SXSW and Beyond the Valley. Is there an event you played at that was particularly memorable to you?

 

A) Splendour in the Grass is like Australia’s Coachella or Glasto – it’s very special to be in front of a home crowd. It was so cool to be invited and put together a show of festival proportions. I’d love to do more and continue to build out set design and creative.

 

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who are fans and supporters of the music that you make?

 

A) Thank you for being here. For all the new listeners adding my music to your personal soundtrack – welcome and a special thank you to those who have been here from the start. Ever since I began writing music things have pivoted and changed and sent me on different paths. I feel very grateful to be able to do this job and follow the thread – and that is thanks to you, listening.