Naarm singer-songwriter Hassall has today released her latest single ‘Dinner Table’; a colourful, earnest and brilliantly written tune that vulnerably details some of her life-long phobias. The track is the first single from her debut album ‘Means More To Me Than It Does to You’, which is set for release on the 3rd of July.
‘Dinner Table’ oozes personality from the get-go. Kicking off with a flutter of synths that ornate the track throughout its runtime, as soon as Hassall’s vocals begin in the opening passages of ‘Dinner Time’, you listen. With a confident performance full of conviction and charm, Hassall’s story-teller delivery on the track could be sonically likened to the work of legendary Australian songwriters such as Courtney Barnett,Angie McMahon or Middle Kids.
The theme’s on ‘Dinner Table’ initially spawned from her experience with Misophonia; a neurophysiological disorder that causes people to have an extreme reaction to specific sounds.
“Ever since I was a young teenager, I’ve had a pretty severely negative aversion to the sound of people eating. I would struggle to stay at the dinner table with my family and hated it when people got too close to me. Any kind of eating or loud breathing or sniffing sounds would result in me yelling or crying or leaving. I always thought this would be something that I got over, but the condition has only thrived over the years.
This song’s about that, and any other of my traits I naively hoped would ‘just be a phase’. I’m always suspiciously appreciative of anyone who’s still willing to date me or be a close friend once they’ve uncovered this crazy-woman side of me, and the song is about that too.” HASSALL
‘Dinner Table’ along with the rest of Hassall’s debut album ‘Means More To Me Than It Does To You’, was recorded with Dave Jenkins Jnr at Golden Retriever Studios; a seasoned producer, artist and session musician who has worked with Daniel Johns, Gordi and Vera Blue in the past.
“In the room was myself, Dave, and my partner-cross-drummer Will. This was one of the only songs that I had a reference track for off the bat – ‘Everyone I’ve Never Met’ by Leith Ross (such a beautifully written and recorded song). The parts came together really quickly, and I was even encouraged to track the bass myself, which was heaps of fun.
A highlight in the studio was getting Will to do take after take of the most out of time, whacky drum fill possible for the intro of the song. I really wanted it to feel as if you were off balance, and then suddenly snapped into focus as all the instruments entered.“ HASSALL
Hassall has made waves throughout the Melbourne indie scene for a few years now; supporting the likes of DICE, Adam Newling, You Am I, Jacob Fitzgerald and Little Quirks; and playing festivals such as Queenscliff Music Festival, Homegrown Festival, By The Pier and White Night Geelong. On top of that, Hassall has seen significant radio support from triple J Unearthed, SYN, Inner FM, 3MDR & PBS, and praise from local tastemakers Forte Magazine.
With plenty of new music on the way for Hassall as she unveils her debut album ‘Means More To Me Than It Does To you’ over the next few months, 2025 is shaping up to be a big year for the talented Melbourne up-and-comer. To celebrate the release of ‘Dinner Table’, Hassall will be playing a launch show at the Persa Bar in Fitzroy on Saturday the 22nd of February.
‘DINNER TABLE’ SINGLE LAUNCH
Saturday February 22 Persa Bar Fitzroy Fitzroy VIC