Pōneke-based indie artist Goodnight My Darling has returned with her beautifully swampy new single ‘The Empress’, out today
Listen to ‘!The Empress’ HERE
‘The Empress’ is the first single to be released since Goodnight My Darling, aka Maxine Macaulay released her stunning self-titled debut album at the end of 2022, along with a band tour and subsequent shows and travel. With the artist’s talent for storytelling and hypnotic vocals, this smoky, sometimes cheeky, swampy treat is sure to transport listeners to a variety of worldly and otherworldly places. It would not be out of place on a movie soundtrack. With its strong vocals, lush sound and cool delivery, it conjures up Quentin Tarantino films and old westerns.
Goodnight My Darling says that the song subtly explores themes of global warming and climate change, and was inspired by award-winning Aotearoa novel ĀUE by Becky Manawatu, a Mark Rothko painting and the ‘Empress’ card in her Tarot Deck.
“The song references themes from the book,” explains Maxine, “like the cyclical nature of grief and patterns of pain that we get stuck in, and I guess that is also evident with how we are currently placed with global warming. The Empress Card represents the loving, protective mother that cares for all. And I had a Mark Rothko painting poem reflection on me, and wove pieces of this in. I like piecing lyrics together like this sometimes.”
Recorded and mixed by celebrated NZ producer Toby Lloyd at Tiny Triumph Recordings, ‘The Empress’ was mastered by Robin Schmidt, 24-96 Mastering - Berlin and is yet another release that reinforces Goodnight My Darling’s growing reputation as one of Pōneke’s most exciting new acts. Her work is contemplative, cleverly crafted and soul-stirring. An impressive songwriter, producer and vocalist. Goodnight My Darling is a storyteller, an avid explorer and human experience researcher who draws upon her adventures living and performing abroad in Melbourne, Japan and Berlin. Her artistic endeavours began from a young age, singing for Kapiti-based bands, choirs and learning to play trumpet, taught by her grandfather who was a conductor and musician in the New Zealand National Band. In 2018 Maxine was one of the first graduates from Massey University's Bachelor of Commercial Music in Wellington. Her debut self-titled album was written during a seven-month lockdown in Berlin, early 2021 and was released December 2022. It is a mix of soul-stirring tunes including ode to love, loss and rebirth ‘The Carriage’, ‘Until I Return’ and the story of a relationship’s end in ‘The Trees Have Eyes’.
Inspirations include Angel Olsen, Nadia Reid and 90’s shoegaze. Macaulay says her ever evolving vibe is a poetic expression of her life and the places around her. Her songs take you on a cinematic journey, while her ethereal vocals lull you into a quiet sense of peace and appreciation. With much more to come - including a “Hollywood Dream with a twist” music video - now is the time to step into the immersive and cinematic world of Goodnight My Darling.
Listen to ‘The Empress’ HERE
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