Sarah McLeod's Homeless Appeal

Aussie rock chick turned electro-pop diva Sarah McLeod has launched an initiative to help keep homeless kids off the street. From now until Christmas, Sarah will be donating ALL the proceeds from her cover of Bruce Springsteen's "Dancing In The Dark" to Father Chris Riley's Youth Off The Streets program. For a lousy $1.69 you get an awesome song - which is currently sitting pretty at #9 on the ARIA club chart - and the satisfaction of knowing you helped a homeless kid find a bed for the night. Bargain! Watch the ex-Superjesus frontwoman talk about the campaign below. Oh and make sure you swing by her website to pick up a copy of her EP. It's a limited run of 500, so get in quick. They are individually numbered, come with a personal message and a poster. I've already ordered mine!

Sarah McLeod - Dancing In The Dark

Sarah McLeod's latest single is a dark and dirty cover of Bruce Springsteen's "Dancing In The Dark". It's an interesting choice after dabbling in upbeat electro ("Tell Your Story Walking") and Rihanna-esque pop ("Double R") but it works. In fact, of the three singles, I think this suits Sarah's voice the best. Her two pack a day rasp squeezes every last drop of angst from the lyrics, making this a worthy rendition of the 80s classic. My only reservation is the fact that it's a little too faithful to the original. The killer remixes - courtesy of Christian Luke and Chardy - drag the song into 2010, while the radio edit sounds like it should be on a JJJ "Like A Version" compilation. That's not a diss - those things fly off the shelves - so fingers crossed Sarah finally gets some airplay and chart action. The video (below) is a simple affair but I kind of like the grainy, fly on the wall aesthetic. I hope this means the album is almost ready because I've been waiting since 2007!

Catching Up With Sarah McLeod

About a month ago I posted Sarah McLeod's new single "Double R". I still think it's one of the best Australian pop songs of 2010 and can't wait to hear her half a decade in the making sophomore album when it drops next month. Sarah is currently on the promo trail to pimp and kindly took some time out to talk about her new electro sound, those pesky Rihanna comparisons and the Australian pop scene. Note to self - asking someone how they feel about their last flop is not the best icebreaker. It was said with love!

Sarah, it's been a year since our last chat. What have you been up to?
I've been living in New York, recording and producing music with a selection of different producers and musicians. It was great fun.

I loved "Tell Your Story Walking" but it didn't really take off the way you would have probably liked....
No, I love it when no one buys my records.

You've re-invented yourself again on "Double R". The sound is slightly darker and dirtier. Who or what inspired the track?
This song is about what a risky manouver it is getting intertwined in other peoples lives.

It's hard to avoid the comparisons with Rihanna - who also had a song called "Russian Roulette" and an album called "Rated R". Are you a fan? I remember you saying you liked "Breakin' Dishes".
Ha, yeah I am a fan but I didn’t know about the "Russian Roulette" thing till it was too late. My song is actually a few years old, and her one totally sucks.

Your sophomore album has been so long in the making. Are you constantly adding new tracks or does it have the same tracklisting as the one you talked about last year?
I wrote "Double R" in 2009 but all the rest are new. I have been adding and morphing the tracklisting for years.

I still want to know if "White Horse" made the cut!
Hate to break it to ya.....

Boo! Will there be songs on it for the fans who loved "Beauty Was A Tiger" or is it exclusively electro?
Well if it's guitars you're looking for you’ve come to the wrong place, but I've got some pretty rockin' tunes on there with some huge dirty synths. There's one song in particular called "Love And Honour" that is just ferocious .

How hard is it for pop acts to break in this country if you're not from Idol or a soap?
You have to work very hard to be in this business, there are no short cuts and it's not easy. You have to be good live. If you're good live you’ve got a chance of longevity.

Will you be doing gigs to promote the album?
The gigs are starting in October, stand back!

Finally, I'm a closet Living End fan. Would you ever work with Chris Cheney again?
I love Chris’ voice. I would work with him again if the project was right.

"Double R" is available to download from iTunes. There are currently no plans for a video, so check out the track below.

Sarah McLeod - Double R

Sarah McLeod has become something of a regular on Pop Trash Addicts over the years. Her first venture into clubland "He Doesn't Love You" featured high on my best songs of 2006 countdown (along with modern classics from Katie Price, Bionda and Melissa Tkautz - LOL!) and I covered her return to the Australian pop scene late last year with "Tell Your Story Walking". We even had a little chat about her love for Rihanna's "Breakin' Dishes" but more about the poor man's Shontelle later. Unfortunately that song didn't really take off. Happily, I think she'll have better luck this time!

Yes, the ex-Superjesus frontwoman is back for another stab at electro-pop glory. "Double R" is already burning up dancefloors around the country (the Grandtheft remix is my jam) and could be Sarah's ticket back to mainstream radio. I liked "Tell Your Story Walking" but this is a massive improvement. Everything about it is bigger, badder and better. The production packs more punch and the chorus is irresistible. I've always loved Sarah's two pack a day voice and this song showcases it perfectly. My only concern is the Rihanna influence. Sarah's re-visited her Russian roulette metaphor, called the song "Double R" (a homage to "Rated R"?) and even looks a bit like RiRi in the promo pics. Girlfriend needs to stop getting down to "Rude Boy" and open her heart to "Licky" but I digress! "Double R" really is strong enough to stand on its own merit. Give Sarah's jam a spin below and make sure to download the track when it hits iTunes on the 25th of August. Bring on the video!

Sarah McLeod's "Double R"