Melbourne's inventive/compelling multi-hyphenate singer/songwriter, Benedict reveals powerful new single, 'Wake Up'
Photo by Pep Phelan
Inventive and compelling, Melbourne based multi-hyphenate singer songwriter Benedict has today shared their powerful new single Wake Up, an anthemic call to action that speaks on behalf of all humanity, calling for understanding and peace. Wake Up is out now via Tomboi Records, and accompanying the track is a visually stunning and deeply emotive clip, co-directed and choreographed by Benedict, Andy Chappell and Kelly Thomas.
Haunting, passionate, and evocative of the alluring Massive Attack, legendary David Bowie and inimitable Prince, Wake Up is pervasive and truly moving. Produced by Dean Tuza (Stella Donnelly, The Rubens, Mossy) and mixed by legendary NYC-based producer Lee Groves (Madonna, Depeche Mode), soft synth pads create a perfect bed for Benedict’s poignant and nuanced vocal style, while colourful strings swell and propel the track forward, lingering and persuading the listener to pay attention.
When confiding in close friend and singer songwriter Chrissi Deralas over a zoom call, Wake Up was born in just ten minutes. Speaking on the inspiration behind Wake Up, Benedict explains, “Wake Up is a people’s anthem. I saw a need to speak out for all peoples, all nations with the shocking things we have witnessed over the last few years, through government issues, wars, COVID-19, Black Lives Matter and injustices for the LGBTGIA+ community. We all fight one another, but what is the truth? The truth is that we are all human. If we can come together, break down fear, lies, and fight the division, we will be free.”
An impactful song such as this requires an equally significant video – and the clip for Wake Up absolutely does not disappoint. Through considered choreography, moody, staccato lighting, and footage from historical protests spliced in, Benedict has created a perfect visual accompaniment to Wake Up, and it enhances the original meaning of the song ten-fold.
It’s a must-watch, as Benedict says, “When I thought about the film clip, the words that came to mind were unity, hope, world issues, our reality. I wanted to bring to light the suffering, pain, serious nature and traumas in this world we as humans experience and bring on each other – also, lies we believe from the government that cause division and brokenness within our society. In contrast, I then wanted to show the similarities as humans that we all carry everyday. I wanted to show that we are better together and, living in this controlled and manipulative societal structure, we could find peace and freedom by clinging onto each other.”
Benedict has always been drawn to a strong message, and always one to stand up against injustices in the world. They even started their own record label, Tomboi Records, with the goal of representing the under-represented within the music industry, as they explain, “My label aims to represent women in music and LGBTQIA+ artists in music. Two minorities that I believe do not get enough support in the music industry. Being a non-binary person myself, I felt the need to create a safe label where artists can create and be themselves with full support behind them. I have experienced both sides of discrimination and lack of support with the minorities I am representing, so I thought, ‘why not’!”
Wake Up is out now.