If you’ve ever had it bad for someone who was yet to see your worth, I know you’re going to fall for Hattie Oates’ latest single “You Could Love Me Back.” This is a perfect piece of indie pop music, with a catchy melody and lyrics that speak right to your soul.
“I wrote this song early last year in Sydney, with one of my favorite co-writers/producers, Liam Quinn. It was our second session together, and we wanted to try something a bit more down-tempo and heartfelt. I had typed the first verse in my notes that morning, so once we’d settled on some chords, it all clicked into place fairly quickly; we were done in a few hours. I remember listening back to it on the drive home and thinking … ‘OMG, this needs to be in a movie scene!’ I felt like it held a sort of cinematic emotion; I may have cried a little haha!”
Hattie has been having a ball seeing the sights of London of late (follow her on Insta for all the pics!), but hopefully she’ll be back playing shows for us all really soon.
Maybe it’s the opening of the Barbie movie this week, or the hot pink boots I just received in the mail, but I’m in a bit of an upbeat poppy mood. If you are too, you’re going to love Hattie Oates’ latest single “Buy Me a Dream.” It’s not all sweetness and light though. While it’s got an effervescent energy, its lyrics have some real edge.
“I wanted to write a song about the times you feel like you are giving so much to something or someone, without receiving anything in return,” Hattie explained. “Whether it’s generosity that goes unnoticed or just feeling like you are always the one trying to reach out or check in or make plans.”
Eora/Sydney artist Hattie Oates has been a favourite of mine since I started hearing her music back in 2019. She was just 15 then, but she showed maturity beyond her years. However, like so many artists who start out so green, I think her music is getting better and better with every passing year. Her latest single “Terrified” is an accomplished piece of indie-pop that I can’t stop listening to.
“I wanted to write a song about leaving the safety net of school and diving straight into the music industry. I moved to Sydney literally the day after my last exam and began trying to answer questions about myself that even I didn’t know the answer to,” said Hattie, who hails from Kamilaroi Country/Tamworth.
“When Ben Oldland (producer and co-writer) and I were in the studio, we spoke about growing up surrounded by a “follow your dreams, you can do anything if you put your mind to it” attitude, while also knowing that the higher you jump the further you fall. But I always knew I’ was going to jump, I couldn’t stay put even if I tried,” she said. “This song is about trying to figure out who you are, while navigate a new environment … That feeling of stumbling through the dark trying to grab at anything that’s going to help stabilise you.”
Hattie is clearly embracing life in the big city, as she shot the video in the Northern Beaches. Directed by Will Hunt, Hattie was inspired by the eeriness of Stranger Things and Kate Bush’s “Running Up That Hill.”
“As the song has its own chaos about it, I wanted to emulate a chaotic chase through the forest, being hunted down by an unknown being, so by stumbling, running, tripping, I wanted to convey the terrifying feeling of being chased by the unknown. But while trying to escape, I never really leave, so it’s full of fear, angst, determination, wonder,” Hattie explained. We filmed it at the West Head Lookout in the Northern beaches, a stunning location with an abundance of scenic trails, drives and national parkland… oh and on the day of filming I got bitten by a bull ant, accidentally pulled a tree over and had blisters on my feet from running on the hot tar.”
Hattie told fans on Facebook she had so much to show us in the New Year, so hopefully this is the first of several new releases for 2023.
Hattie Oates has given me chills with her latest single “Waste My Time.” It’s a gorgeous stripped-back ballad with minimal production ensuring your focus is solely on Hattie’s delicate voice. Her vocals drip with emotion, ensuring listeners feel the heartbreak behind her bittersweet lyrics.
“This song is about the emotional journey you take when ending a relationship,” she explained. “And then getting to the other side, where you suddenly see all the wasted time you spent stuck in the past with them, instead of just moving on.”
Every time I hear a new song from Hattie I marvel at what she’s achieving at such a young age. This is another stellar single from one of the country’s most exciting talents.
I fell in love with Hattie Oates’ music when she released her debut single “She’s All Yours” in early 2019. She was just 15 then, but I saw something so special in her. Now 17, with a little more life experience behind her, I think she’s sounding even better. Her latest track “Used To Be” is a brilliant track that’s sure to resonate with fans of Amy Shark and G-Flip. This is approachable, honest pop music with a fresh sound that begs for repeat listens. While it sounds cutting-edge, Hattie took inspiration from the past.
“In a nutshell, this song is about nostalgia. Whether it’s a person, place or time, it’s a memory that is forever repeating itself in your mind, and one you just wish you could go back to,” Hattie said. “Honestly, it is probably one of the most personal songs I have released yet. Every time I sing it, I’m hit with a highlight reel of the one of the best summers of my life, hence why I want to go back to how it ‘used to be’. But even so, while the core message is a little sad, performing it is liberating.”
While she hasn’t got any upcoming gigs, give her Facebook page a follow so you can be first to know when she’s hitting a venue near you.
Hattie Oates first hit my radar back in February with the funky “She’s All Yours.” The 16-year-old has done a real 180 with her latest single “Bad,” proving that she’s far from a one-trick pony.
You need real talent to go from upbeat soul to dark, brooding alt-pop as Hattie has done, but she’s got skills to spare. I can’t say it won’t alienate some of the people who liked her debut, but it’s strong enough to win her some new fans.
“This song is about that undeniable feeling of temptation that takes over when you have two options, a good one, and a bad one,” she explained. “It’s the compelling danger and mystery beneath that choice that makes you feel like you don’t have one.”
A Tamworth local, Hattie will play a special Christmas Eve show tonight at Manny’s on Marsh in Armidale.
She might hail from Tamworth, but Hattie Oates has more in common with Amy Winehouse or Joss Stone than any of the city’s country darlings. Her debut single “She’s All Yours” showcases the funky soul-pop leanings of this young talent. And did I mention that she’s just 15?
“I chose to release this as my debut single due to it’s catchy, fresh pop sound just in time for summer,” Hattie explained of this song, which explores the trials and tribulations of living in a love triangle.
“She’s All Yours” comes from Hattie’s debut EP, simply called Hattie, which is available now.
