PREMIERE: Paris Irwin returns with her most personal single yet ‘Alex’

If you aren’t familiar with Paris Irwin’s soaring harmonies, pulsating bass, and lush lyricism, then her newest single ‘Alex’ is a hypnotically beautiful introduction.

A ballad packed with positivity and admiration, ‘Alex’ is dedicated to Paris’ late friend Alex Seccombe who she says radiated generosity and warmth - themes of which she carried into the song. The track tributes those in our lives who are so talented at making us feel loved, without ever trying. It's about individuals who are intrinsically and unequivocally kind, the people who you know are doing the right things for the right reasons.

The gorgeously passionated track was built around a chord progression composed by Alex before his passing. All of the guitar on the song is from the original recording by Alex, completely unedited.

We’ve got the beautiful track here for you to listen to right now before it’s offical release tomorrow.

Give it a listen…

We also had a chat to the soulful singer-songwriter that is Paris Irwin all about the sentimental track…

LIFELINE 24/7 CRISIS SUPPORT: 13 11 14

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Hey Paris, how are you lovelyyyy?

P: This feels like such a generic answer, but to be honest, during COVID it has been so volatile. Sometimes I feel i’m really good at focusing on the positives and other times I feel like my hormones are dragging me through the Pacific Ocean. But overall, I’m happy to be in the position I’m in and I’m so incredibly excited to be releasing this song. 

First things first, for anyone that isn’t familiar with your music – describe it to us in 4 words…

P: Cathartic, vivid, visceral, exciting

Now today we are lucky enough to bring our audience a premiere of your new heartfelt single ‘Alex’ being released tomorrow… talk to us a bit about this song!

P: In 2020 my friend Alex sent me a guitar riff he had been working on because he wanted me to sing over it. As soon as I heard it I thought it was beyond brilliant because of how magnetising the melody was. A few months later he passed away before we got the opportunity to compose properly together. In the days following, his family asked if it was possible I flesh out his beautiful workings into a song, so that’s exactly what I tried to do. This song articulates the beautiful individual he was and also pays tribute to anyone in our lives who make us feel warm and wonderful without even trying.

I understand this release is extremely close to your heart, how did you navigate through song-writing and recording process?

P: To be frank I didn’t think about it too much otherwise it would have been too hard. Most of the decisions I made were straight from my gut and pertained to the message I’m trying to portray plus the story I’m painting. So as difficult as it could have been, I tried not to over think too much and I really relied on my natural lyricism to create the story I needed. 

Alex Seccombe’s guitars that he kept on the wall, including the specific guitar and amp used to play on "Alex". The instruments now hang on the wall of his brother's room.

What does the song represent and mean to you?

P: It represents telling the people we care about how much we love them. And how important it is to articulate our feelings toward another. I think we have a very peculiar societal expectation that it is somehow unflattering to be openly complimentary to people, friends or strangers. And that’s just the opposite of how I live my life. It is so important to tell people when they’re wanted, needed and loved. I don’t know why it’s frowned upon. We should do it often.

What do you want listeners to take away from the track?

P: That life is too short to sweat the small stuff. Speaking positively and protectively and loud. Only together can we make a substantial change.

The guitar riff on the track is a recording of a composition by your friend Alex, that’s beautiful. Tell us a bit about that.

P: I know that he had been working on it for a while (from his family telling me they had heard it it) but essentially I used the conversations we had had about music plus all of his public playlists on Spotify, to curate the song in a way that he would see fit. On top of that, the exact amp and guitar that you see on the cover art is what he used to play in the song. I made sure my producer did not re-record it and that Alex himself was the only other person making his musical debut in this song, so all the guitar you hear is him playing in his room.

What can fans expect from you for the rest of the year?

P: I will definitely be playing gigs all around town so if you want to support, follow me and my Spotify page to keep most in touch with my newest coming and goings. I have a brand new song coming out in a few months which I’m beyond keen to share with everyone too, so I’m just excited for everyone to hear it!

Now to support local, give a shout out to 3 other artists making their way through the music scene that you love.

P: Hope D, Bronte Eve, Tyra

Finally, to wrap it up let’s do a few rapid-fire Q’s:

·         Best song to sing in the shower to?

• P: Holding out for a Hero - Bonnie Tyler 

·         Favourite Brisbane venue?

• P: The Zoo

·         Best best beverage?

• P: Gin Sour 

·         If you could tour with one artist, who would it be?

• P: Lorde

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