Indie-pop star E^ST’s recently released single Fresh Out of Love is another addictive melody full of rich vocals and dramatic, melancholic baroque-pop notes.
Fresh Out of Love is an exciting follow up to her 2019 single Talk Deep, which earned the songstress a spot in Triple J’s Hottest 100!
Melissa Bester, the artist behind E^ST, is an accomplished artist who has supported the likes of Panic! At The Disco and Twenty One Pilots on tour. She has also become an in-demand writer, sharing her talents with the likes of international names including Noah Cyrus.
We chat to E^ST about her latest single, new creative direction and navigating the music industry from a young age…
Marx Music: You describe your latest single as a reflection of feeling empty after giving something your all and it not being returned; but there is a definite undercurrent of promise and hope. Could you please explain these contrasting elements and why they tie in so well in this song?
E^ST: Well I guess there’s an element of learning in this song, and that might be where some of that hopefulness is coming from. There’s a realisation in the song that if you give all your love to someone else, obviously you won’t have any love left for yourself, and that’s a really rough spot to find yourself in.
MM: Having written for, supported and worked with world-renowned names in the music industry, what has been a highlight in your career?
E^ST: One memory I always look back on fondly is opening for Twenty One Pilots around Australia a couple years ago! They’re one of my favourite bands and going on the road with them opened my eyes to so many things and I left that tour feeling really inspired.
MM: Your debut album I’m Doing It takes a new direction, allowing room to move through and explore feelings of heartbreak and isolation. Were these always themes you wanted to explore musically?
E^ST: Yeah these are definitely recurring themes in my music. I guess this upcoming album deals with those themes in a really personal and upfront way, because as I was writing the album I was dealing with those feelings day to day, and in writing the album it helped me learn and realise a lot about myself and my life.
MM: Having been discovered at a young age, how did you navigate the music industry while staying true to your own creativity?
E^ST: It was pretty challenging, it’s hard to stay true to yourself even at the best of times. But by making mistakes, I learnt so much about myself and what I really wanted, and now as a young adult I feel more sure of myself than ever.
MM: What does it mean to you to be a female musician today?
E^ST: It’s very exciting! Women’s voices all over the world are getting heard more and more as time goes on, and I feel lucky to be part of that movement.
With her album I’m Doing It set for release in a few short months on June 12th, 2020 is gearing up to be an exciting year for the Australian musician and we can’t wait to see what she’s got planned next!
Check out E^ST’s latest single Fresh Out of Love below!
