Artist info
Genre
Indie, Pop
Sounds like
Dusty Springfield, My Bloody Valentine, Nick Cave
band members
Felicity Groom with other fun folk
Influences
Francois Hardy, Kate Bush, Melanie
Website
Bio
Trophy Talk video - http://youtube.com/watch?v=1npcnbzkMpI Trophy Talk EP - https://itunes.apple.com/au/album/trophy-talk-ep/id581452440 The west coast city of Perth doesn’t have a heck of a lot of iconic landmarks, but who gives a rats when instead there’s iconic Perth musicians like Felicity Groom making sounds that ring through the country greater than any Belltower could. Yep, Groom ticks some impressive boxes, alright: she’s got the cool, feminine confidence of a 60s pop princess like Francoise Hardy, only her sugary melodies are peppered with bouts of wailing and growling sure to appeal to fans of the dirty rock of Nick Cave or PJ Harvey. This sultry songbird has a talent that’s seen her wing it ‘round the world, first warbling her dark, folk-pop compositions through London, Paris and Berlin, before making her nest in Perth, where she decorates it with shiny things, like her West Australian Music Awards for Best Indie Pop Act (2009 and 2010) and Best Commercial Pop Act (2011). Triple J got wind of Groom’s 2009 debut EP, Treasures, and immediately whacked it on high rotation and made Groom a feature artist, so all could share in the brooding melancholy of magnetic tracks like ‘Criminal’. Up pricked the ears of Tim Rogers, Paul Dempsey, Sally Seltmann, Sarah Blasko and Tame Impala; who have all called on Groom to support their shows. Speaking of mates, Groom ain’t short of ‘em: rock up to one of her gigs and there’s always a lucky dip of (sorta famous) Perth musicians causing a ruckus with striking lead singer Groom on stage. Expect to see members from Jebediah, Tame Impala and Pond join in on any given set list. They, like us, are in constant awe of Groom’s instrumental talent (on guitar, autoharp and keys) and revel in the exciting musical arrangements she comes up with. Groom smashed out the mega catchy Finders & Keepers late 2010 (accompanied by an ultra-rad video clip) and we haven’t been able to stop humming ehhhhh-yeah-ehhhhh-yeah to ourselves since. It’s the first taste from her upcoming 2011 debut, Gossamer – given the solid history of success its creator has enjoyed up until this point, there’s no doubt this album will take Groom from local landmark to major attraction. http://spinningtopmusic.com
Felicity hails from Western Australia and is the kind of singer songwriter who effortlessly exudes songs full of dark melodic folk music. She has been writing songs since she was 11 years old, and she is now backed by local all-star band The Black Black Smoke.
Felicity is one of our winners from the Top Song competition! Check out the winners from each state and all the details on the competition page »
Describe your music
I have trouble describing the style, so I aways listen to what other people say...and the desciption I have most been able to understand was dark folk pop.
How do you go about writing a song? Lyrics or music first?
Generally a little melody will pop up in my head like a friend calling in for a cup of tea and I'll sing it for a while with words that make no sense at all, until I realise that there's something in what I was singing about and thats when I make it into a song.
Who would you most like to tour with or learn from as a songwriter?
I always say Nick Cave. The man is not a stones throw away from pure divine genious. Infact if you threw the stone it would hit him so hard he would write another killer song about killing the man who threw the stone.
What was the last CD you bought? what made you buy it?
The last CD I ordered in at my work was a Tim Hardin Best Of. It took forever to come in at the shop but very much worth the wait. I didn't know much about him until I heard him on the soundtrack to 'The Future Is Unwritten' and fell in love with the song 'Black Sheep Boy'. That song makes me cry. He was definitely as Joe Strummer said, a 'lost genius of his time'
What do you do when you're not making music?
I work in a CD shop...so I listen to other peoples music.
What have you got planned for the future?
I am good at planning. My diary is full until about the year 2023 but its all tenative. One thing always depends on another...but if over the next few years I can travel the world with my music, well then I would be pretty happy.
Australian music is...
I have come to realise after living away that Australian music is music that is written by an Australian. Australia doesn't escape you when you leave this place. You are forever writing from an Australian perspective. I wrote my most Australian songs in a small apartment in Brixton, London in the middle of one freezing cold winter.
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another stunner from Felicity off a hugely accomplished album
another stunner from Felicity off a hugely accomplished album
Review
There's a real depth to this WA talent. Her album shows a real sense of adventure and thought to her songwriting.
There's a real depth to this WA talent. Her album shows a real sense of adventure and thought to her songwriting.
Review
This song lives and breathes fun and adventure. The percussive elements just keep it running on such a high. Absolute love for this song.
This song lives and breathes fun and adventure. The percussive elements just keep it running on such a high. Absolute love for this song.
