Magnets returns with sparkling indie-pop single, 'SPEAK'
Photo credit - Nick McKk
Naarm/Melbourne-based artist, Magnets returns with a brand spanking new single in ‘SPEAK’ - an inspiring call to step up to the plate in whatever fight you are facing.
The solo project of disabled artist, advocate, and multi-disciplinary Siobhan McGinnity, Magnets crafts sparking indie-pop that sits at the intersection of art and science.
‘SPEAK’ recycles late 80s/early 90s nostalgic indie pop, re-imagined and brought to new life with sunny optimism. Magnets brings together a beautifully simple, invigorating and shimmery track, bursting with glittering guitars, smooth rhythm section, and a touch of pads to back up her sweetly-tuned vocal. ’SPEAK’ is light, airy, and full of heart.
When writing ‘SPEAK’, Siobhan was inspired by the climate crisis, particularly the effect of fast fashion on the environment. Siobhan recalls, “During a flare of one of my health concerns, I was housebound, unable to walk for months. The answer to my loneliness was a sale at Spotlight, and a half-price sewing machine on the kitchen table. In the process of teaching myself how to sew, I deep-dived into fibres, manufacturing, the treatment of garment workers, and the extreme toll our waste has on the planet. Heavy with all I’d learned, I decided not to buy clothes for two years, including my wedding jumpsuit and four bridesmaid dresses which I made myself (which featured in bridal magazine, Hooray - viewed here)
Siobhan turned her passion for sustainable fashion into a tool for online advocacy, growing over 37k followers on TikTok. This energy is channelled into the new single ‘SPEAK’, where Siobhan encourages listeners to take their own form of action, whatever that may be. Describing herself as “not very good at angry activism,” she adds, “my safe space is creating art that makes people reflect.” Armed with acoustic guitars and soaring pop melodies that create a summery sound, 'SPEAK' is an anthem for advocacy and hope.
The new single follows the release of ‘Down’ in November 2023, the first new taste of music from MAGNETS since 2017. ‘Down’ received well-earned praise with features from the likes of Rage, Rolling Stone, Tone Deaf, and Pilerats.
Recorded with ARIA-nominated producer Terry Mann, MAGNETS' sound is characterised by textural layers, chorus pedals, a driving rhythm, and a healthy dose of nostalgia. Across her career to date, Siobhan has secured a publishing deal with Gaga Music, and completed a groundbreaking PhD thesis titled "Hearing Injury in the Music Industry," which earned multiple accolades from the prestigious National Hearing Conservation Association in the USA.
The new release, 'SPEAK', further establishes that MAGNETS is an electrifying force in music, showcasing her ambition to initiate change through the fusion of art and activism.
‘SPEAK’ is out now on all streaming platforms.
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