The other Kylie goes disco

With summer just around the corner, local soul sister Kylie Auldist releases her third solo album, Still Life, at exactly the right time. It’s a warm, lush mix of soul, R&B and disco that seems destined to soundtrack many a relaxed BBQ over the coming months.

“I’ve heard people say it’s a really summery album, particularly tracks like Changes. It’s working for Australia – now I’ve just got to get it out there for the European summer,” Auldist told the Star Observer.

Changes is the current single and an absolute highlight of the record, as Auldist ups the tempo for an infectious tribute to the disco divas of yesteryear.

“Before we did the album I said to Lance (Ferguson, producer and co-writer) that I wanted to do a whole disco album – Donna Summer is one of my heroes. He said, ‘Well, I don’t think we’re going to do a whole disco album – how about just the one song?’”

Auldist’s creative chemistry with Ferguson has been bubbling away for over five years now, ever since she joined his Aussie soul outfit The Bamboos in 2006. Having grown up on a farm in rural NSW and cut her teeth singing country & western songs in pub bands, she said joining the band was when she finally felt at home on stage.

“I’ve sang in pub bands, country bands – but when I started with The Bamboos it was a real Cinderella moment. I found the sound that suited my voice, and it’s been a natural progression from there.”

But with Ferguson helming both The Bamboos’ group efforts and Auldist’s solo efforts, it seems there might be an interesting power dynamic going on. Does she enjoy working on her solo projects more, given she’s the focus?

“Lance is really the star – there’s no way I was going to do an album without him. When I was first signed and asked to do an album, I thought, I wouldn’t have the slightest clue where to start. I’d probably still be in my bedroom trying to write a song if it wasn’t for Lance. He waves a sharp stick at me! ‘You are going to write a song a week – twice a week – and HURRY UP’,” she chuckled.

Auldist will hit stages across Australia in the coming months to introduce Still Life to audiences. She admitted it was always a struggle to recreate the magic of live performance on her albums.

“I love singing live – that’s what it’s all about and that’s what keeps me going. But to recreate that sound in the studio is very difficult for me. We bring beers into the studio and have friends over, just so I feel like I’ve got an audience to perform to.”

INFO: Still Life out now. Tour dates at kylieauldist.com