Work Like That is the debut album from YoWo Music, the Melbourne-based contemporary music program for girls and gender diverse youth in high school. Produced with support from Creative Victoria and Australia Council, Work Like That is a strong, heartfelt collection of songs from Melbourne’s brightest young female and gender-diverse musicians. Work Like That is preceded by single Built For Boys, a warm exploration of identity.
Through guidance and mentorship from professional musicians, current YoWo Music participants and alumnae teamed up to create Work Like That, a nine-track collection of diverse and skillful songwriting and performing from these young musos. YoWo Music founders, Lena Douglas and Claire Cross, both agree that this is a pretty special release, as Lena describes, “These are all original songs written and played by teenagers – and despite us not setting a theme for the album, all the tracks seem to have something in common; they all say something about navigating relationships and trying to find your place in the world.” From Self Love, which describes accepting one’s complexities as a person, to Suck It Up, about navigating selfishness within a ‘dysfunctional’ teenage relationship, these songs each speak honestly about feelings that most people have felt before. Work Like That demonstrates an affection for and exploration of a number of different genres - from pop, rock, jazz, and folk. The process of creating the album from start to finish was a unique learning curve for the participants, as YoWo participant Isabella Munoz says, “This would be the first time that I've done something as important as this. Being able to be a musician and release an album with an amazing group of people, both those who I've known for a while and those who I've met briefly, is such a privilege. I'm so happy to be involved and to share a part of our creations.”
On top of current artist mentors Francesca Gonzales (Franko Gonzo, Cousin Tony’s Brand New Firebird) and Maggie Rigby (The Maes), the YoWo team expanded greatly this semester, as Work Like That was written and recorded over a six-month period – it was all hands on deck, as Claire explains, “We are so lucky to have an incredible team that has worked on this album. Emah Fox worked closely with our bands and mentors in pre-production sessions to really develop the songs for recording. Once we were in the studio, Emah continued to produce, with Anna Laverty taking on the role as producer/engineer. Anna has also done an amazing job mixing the album for us too. We have a really lovely relationship with the team at Rolling Stock Studio (Myles Mumford, Jem Savage and Tom Strode), which is where we recorded this album as well as our first YoWo EP in 2016. Myles has brilliantly mastered the album for us. We also had Hannah Reaney onboard for all of the recording sessions, being a general legend and studio assistant. It was pretty exciting to see, at one point, about 4 female studio engineers in the same room at the same time! Having so many female role models in the same room was a fundamental aspect of this project, and I think the album and confidence of our participants has benefited hugely from this positive influence.”
Lead single Built For Boys, written by YoWo alumna Lily Harnath, is evocative of the DIY styling and pop songwriting of Alvvays and Japanese Breakfast, boasting driving guitar and percussion, and sweet, clever lyricism. With a heady vibe and undeniable chorus hook, Built For Boys feels like a track you’d Shazam while driving along to triple j. Speaking on the inspiration behind the track, Lily says, “My song is about one of my friends trying to find her identity, but I also think it relates to most people’s search for where and how they belong in the world.” Built For Boys is accompanied by a beautiful clip, directed and filmed by Billy Crombie, which gives a deeper insight into the creative process behind Work Like That.
This project was supported by the Victorian Government through Creative Victoria.
This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body.
credits
released November 23, 2018
Produced by Emah Fox and Anna Laverty
Co-produced by Francesca Gonzales, Maggie Rigby, Lena Douglas and Claire Cross
Recorded at Rolling Stock Studios on 8, 9, 15 and 16 September 2018
Engineered and Mixed by Anna Laverty
Studio Assistance from Hannah Reaney
Mastered by Myles Mumford
Album artwork by Blair Leggatt
Album design by Georgina Bendall
Strings on ‘Self Love’ played by Clare Gorton, arranged by Claire Cross
Special thanks to:
Erica Tucceri, Francesca Gonzales, Maggie Rigby, Myles Mumford, Jem Savage, Hannah Reaney and everyone at Rolling Stock Studios, Howard Norsetter and Moreland City Band Hall, The Brusch Family, Clare Gorton, Bianca Milani, Billy Crombie, Ella Thompson, Kate Duncan and The Push, Hudson Whitlock, Miriam Crellin, Harry Cook, Sonja Horbelt, Chris Gill, Ella Hooper, Stikki Roder, George Bendall, and all the YoWo families.
“Melvin Is A She”, tracks 5 & 9
Bridget O'Meara - keys
Ella Berlowitz - bass
Francesca Gallagher - drums
Genevieve Boardman - vocals
Lottie Jennans - vocals
Mia Coleman - ukelele/vocals
Mentored by Francesca Gonzales
The Seoul-based indie pop duo lean deeper into the interplay between dance and emotion on their second album for Beeline Records. Bandcamp Album of the Day Aug 31, 2023
A nostalgic record full of ambling rhythms, vivid imagery, and cotton-soft melodies tapped out on an ever-present ’70s synth-organ hybrid. Bandcamp Album of the Day Nov 11, 2021
The Perth dream-poppers energize their enigmatic art-pop with cinematic string samples and churning, stadium-sized choruses. Bandcamp New & Notable Apr 15, 2020
Bouncy, jangly power pop with a slash of acidic shadow, as the very best twee always has. From Boston, they met at band camp (not Bandcamp). Bandcamp New & Notable Jul 2, 2019
