AAA Backstage Archive

Thelma Plum Changes Her Tune

She was only nineteen… well, she is only nineteen. Singer-songwriter Thelma Plum is showing fans that she is more than just a girl on a guitar, albeit a very talented girl on a guitar.

Plum has followed up the success of Rosie with a new EP, Monster. The first single, a moody and fast-paced pop tune How Much Does Your Love Cost?, was released this month, and she will be touring in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane in July.

Having been plucked from relative obscurity through Triple J Unearthed in 2012, the talented singer from the tiny northern New South Wales town of Delungra, backed up the plaudit a year later with the release of her debut EP Rosie, an eclectic mix of bittersweet indie folk songs that showcased a compelling young star on the rise.

However, Monster represents a significant shift in direction for Plum. Describing the sound as a melting pot of folk, pop and hiphop there are mentions of extensive collaborations with talents such as M-Phazes and Eric J. Dobowsky.

The decision to reinvent herself was an organic progression and is partly to do with growing up, "I've always wanted to do stuff like this and make music that is just a little bit more than a guitar but I've never really known how to do that," she says, "I've been thinking about it for a really long time and obviously I was a little bit nervous because when people started listening to my music it was just me and my guitar and recordings that I did in my cupboard.”

Plum drew inspiration for Monster after finding out M-Phazes had worked his magic on the work of hip-hop star Illy. Plums new direction is representative of a new wave of Australian talent, which is making a big noise in music circles.

Thelma Plum is touring nationally in July:

Newtown Social Club, Sydney, July 4

Northcote Social Club, Melbourne, July 5

The Old Museum, Brisbane, July 10