Bec Sykes Releases Mesmerising Debut Album ‘Pepperpot Magic’
The album is 11 tracks of alt indie-folk tied together by Bec Sykes incredible vocals.
Image by Jeff Andersen Jnr
Rising Aussie artist Bec Sykes has delivered her hotly anticipated debut album, Pepperpot Magic (listen here)
Out November 1, the album is 11 tracks of alt-indie folk exploring themes of trauma, anxiety and heartache, with Sykes’ hypnotic tones transporting you into her technicolour universe.
After coming to the attention of music lovers in 2020 with her hit single ‘Edithvale’, Sykes soon found herself supporting the likes of Telenova, Josh Pyke, Teenage Dads and Katy Steele. Having spent the post-COVID years writing and recording, Sykes is excited to share her debut album with the world.
From the opening piano ballad ‘Marlene’ to the rich storytelling found in the devastating ‘Six’, Sykes has crafted a textured record showcasing a singer-songwriter who is coming into her own as an artist.
“Pepperpot Magic is all the things I've been too afraid to say out loud that I've instead poured into these songs,” Sykes said in a statement about the album. “It contains all the feelings I can't put into words. I wrote the songs when I was going through the worst anxiety of my life, and they were all written as a self-soothing mechanism.”
Recorded at the Rat Shack in Naarm/Melbourne, Pepperpot Magic was produced by Robert Muiños (Didirri, Julia Jacklin, Rowena Wise) and features a lineup of incredible indie-folk musicians – Matt Dixon (The Paper Kites, Hannah Cameron) on pedal steel guitar, Sam Raines (Mia Wray, Didirri) on drums, Brad Ellis (The Hunter Express) on guitar, Ronana Nicholson on bass and Rose Bassett (Half The Andes) performing backing vocals.
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The album’s most recent single, ‘Last To Know’, was inspired by old journal entries and voice memos and was described by Sykes as the “least cryptic’ track on Pepperpot Magic. Over a light piano line, Sykes spills the beans on a failed relationship, detailing the hurt and frustration that comes with being constantly let down by someone you love and need to let go of.
Sykes also shot the accompanying music video on Super 8 film. The clip features footage Sykes shot while in Meanjin/Brisbane for BIGSOUND and in Naarm/Melbourne’s inner north, including Trang Bakery & Cafe and watering hole The Gem.
Yet to announce a national tour, Sykes is playing two special shows in Naarm/Melbourne. The first is at The Grace Darling supporting El Tee on Saturday, November 23, and the second is at Northcote Social Club with Elaura & Pia and Anna Schneider (WA) on Monday, December 9. Tickets for both shows are on sale now.
You can listen to Bec Sykes’ debut album Pepperpot Magic here.
