Many of us can link a certain album to pivotal moments in our lives. Whether it’s the first record you bought with your own money, the chord you first learnt to play on guitar, the song that soundtracked your first kiss, the album that got you those awkward and painful pubescent years or the one that set off light bulbs in your brain and inspired you to take a big leap of faith into the unknown – music is often the catalyst for change in our lives and can even help shape who we become.
In this series, Music Feeds asks artists to reflect on their relationship with music and share with us stories about the effect music has had on their lives.
Melissa Ramsay – Little Hell by City And Colour (2011)
Spoiler alert: I’m a massive City and Colour fan. The album Little Hell solidified my lifelong City and Colour fan status. It was released in 2011, the year I was finishing school and transitioning into “the real world” and it takes me back to this time every time I listen to a track off the album. I used to go for walks after school and get lost in this album. As soon as I got my licence, I’d go for drives and listen to this album. Little Hell was both an escape and a soundtrack to a challenging and formative year.
Dallas’ voice is smooth, unique and delicate and each song is crafted artistically and beautifully. The songs are pensive and personal and that can be heard in every note that Dallas sings. City and Colour’s writing can often be reflective in nature or conveying sad emotions. He (Dallas) tends to turn his thoughts and pain into sonic bliss. If I had to choose a favourite song from the album, it would have to be ‘Little Hell’ (although that kind of feels like choosing a favourite animal or child).
I think this album has been one of the most influential pieces of work to my own creative process and how I write my songs. This album made me realise how much I liked writing in a similar melancholic way. I love the way that Dallas delivers his vocals; the phrasing, the melodies and his tone. City and Colour’s music continues to influence and inspire me to this day.
I’m forever a fan and look forward to their future releases!
—
Melbourne-based artist Melissa Ramsay has just unveiled her ethereal debut single ‘Halo’, a slice of indie electro-pop heaven, produced and mixed by Hayden Jeffery (Woodes, Wolfjay). Listen below!
