Gumbaynggirr/Bundjalung singer-songwriter Jem Cassar-Daley today drops her new single and video Slow Down. The catchy bop is the follow up to her heavily streamed – 1.5M and counting – King of Disappointment.
Jem’s voice enters as a refuge among a sea of dreamy guitars, in the opening bars of Slow Down; something you can’t help but cling to as the track rises and falls. Somewhat of an oxymoron – the track races to an energising beat yet feels carefree.
That paradox is echoed by the song’s lyrics, circling around the chaos and calm of a breakup. “It touches on the time post-breakup that’s spent wondering what the other person is doing, having conversations with yourself, and learning how to process your emotions,” explains the young storyteller. “I think learning how to make time for yourself can be challenging and finding work/life balance can feel near impossible sometimes. I think this song is an important reminder to try and slow down and take life one step at a time.”
Recorded in peaceful Byron Bay by Garrett Kato, the new single was an incredibly collaborative process. “We used some inspiration from the original demo that we recorded when I wrote the song with Jason Schoushkoff, Nick, Timm and Joe de la Hoyde in Sydney, and the de la Hoyde boys share the producer credits with Garrett and myself.”
Since her explosive debut in 2021, Jem’s authentic brand of Indie-Pop has earned her a lot attention. Her previous single King of Disappointment not only eclipsed 1.5M streams but also hit #8 on the National Indigenous Music Chart. This year she was named as the star to watch in the Queensland Sunday Mail, received the APRA/AMCOS NATSIMO Youth Professional Development award and performed on Triple J’s renowned, Like A Version.
Hot on the heels of a stellar run of showcases at The Great Escape in the UK, Jem is set to perform at Sydney’s SXSW in October and will be appearing at the Sugar Drop Festival (QLD) and Queenscliff Music Festival (VIC). Currently on tour with Busby Marou on their ‘Blood Red’ national tour, Jem will also be opening for multi award-winning Tina Arena in Sydney and will be performing alongside Tia Gostelow on the Sunshine Coast in November.
With a fresh Indie-Pop sound and the voice of a seasoned storyteller, Jem Cassar-Daley is an inimitable talent. The infectious Slow Down sounds like the work of an artist on the fast track to stardom.
UPCOMING TOUR DATES
**Tickets are on sale now and available HERE **
9 September – Princess Theatre – Brisbane, QLD (w/ Busby Marou)
10 September – Moonee Beach Hotel – Moonee Beach, NSW (w/ Busby Marou)
14 September – Anita’s Theatre – Thirroul, NSW (w/ Busby Marou)
16 September – Sugar Drop Festival – Harrup Park – Mackay, QLD (w/ Tia Gostelow)
7 October – Night at the Barracks – Manly, NSW (w/ Tina Arena)
13 October – Riverside Precinct – Rockhampton, QLD (w/ Busby Marou)
14 October – Harrup Park – Mackay, QLD (w/ Busby Marou)
19 – 20 October – SXSW Sydney – Sydney, NSW
3 November – Solbar – Maroochydore, QLD (w/ Tia Gostelow)
18 November – This Is Livin’ Festival @ Rainbow Beach Sports Club – Rainbow Beach, QLD
25 – 26 November – Queenscliff Music Festival – Queenscliff, VIC
With thanks to Wildheart Publicity