Hayley Marsten Hayley Marsten Brisbane “Sweetheart, I ain’t playing second fiddle.” It’s the opening declaration on Hayley Marsten’s brassy second release, and a statement you’d be a fool to doubt. The Gladstone songwriter and purveyor of bold country music is older and wiser on Lonestar, which is at once playful and deeply personal. Marsten has moved past the heartache that permeated her debut release, Even, and through collaboration with acclaimed artists, such as Lyn Bowtell and Aleyce Simmonds, has brought a more mature songwriter and performer to the surface. The marriage of feisty tracks like opener ‘Second Fiddle’ and the stark reflection of ‘Coming Home’, proves a potent combination. Life experience has ultimately imbued this collection of songs with a more intimate yet worldly view, with the support of fellow songwriters giving Marsten the confidence to be direct with her audience. The title track exemplifies her determination, the desire to forge a career in the face of a doubter. “You said I’d never make it to the top, girls like me they always stop, and I just listen to your big talk… I’m in a Lone Star State.” Playful defiance, strength, fun and resilience flow throughout each song. This emotional diversity was a key aim for the burgeoning music star. “I actually knew what the new record would be like after I wrote 'Lonestar',” Marsten explains. “It was a turn in the right direction. I knew the other songs would fit around that song and I knew it would be the title track too. Even was filled with a lot of break-up songs and didn't really have a lot of different emotions or stories, and that's one thing I wanted to be different on this record.” Marsten recorded Lonestar at Love Hz Studios in Sydney with sought-after producer Matt Fell. His guidance added layers of production and ideas that took “these songs to the next level”. The six songs on the release are buoyed by tasteful, minimal arrangements, allowing the strength of Marsten’s voice and lyrical wordplay to sit front and centre. The order of the songs tells the story of a woman regaining her sense of self. Hayley Marsten’s tracks Spectacular Heartbreak by Hayley Marsten published on 2019/07/19 08:36:55 +0000 Hitch Your Wagon by Hayley Marsten published on 2019/07/19 08:36:51 +0000 Grocery Line by Hayley Marsten published on 2019/07/19 08:36:48 +0000 Wendy by Hayley Marsten published on 2019/07/19 08:36:44 +0000 Green & Blue by Hayley Marsten published on 2019/07/19 08:36:39 +0000 Watch Me Dancing by Hayley Marsten published on 2019/07/19 08:36:36 +0000 Cry In Your Beer by Hayley Marsten published on 2019/07/19 08:36:34 +0000 Pretty by Hayley Marsten published on 2019/07/19 08:36:29 +0000 Red Wine White Dress by Hayley Marsten published on 2019/07/19 08:36:24 +0000 Call It A Day by Hayley Marsten published on 2019/07/19 08:36:20 +0000
