Katy Steele achieved a significant milestone last year, reviving an aspect of her career that had been dormant for quite some time and surprising many of her fans in the process. In March, she made the announcement that Little Birdy, the band that catapulted her to fame during her teenage years in the 2000s and whose music continues to resonate with numerous Australians, would be reuniting.
After a lengthy hiatus, this Western Australian band took to the stage once more to perform their iconic 2004 album, BigBigLove, at a select number of concerts across the country. “It was an incredible experience, but also a significant event in my life,” Steele shared with Dylan Lewis from Double J. “We hadn’t performed together in about 15 years.”
This return to the band that kickstarted her career led to a new possibility: the idea of Steele re-recording some of their classic songs in a more stripped-down style. Although she was open to the concept, she found it difficult to define the rationale behind it.
Her upcoming EP, titled Undressed, which is set for release on April 24, reflects that relaxed approach taken during the recording sessions. Instead of crafting a completely new album, Steele has chosen to reinterpret some of her earlier work along with a selection of songs that have influenced her.
On Undressed, Steele bravely approaches some of the most beloved songs in contemporary music, including The Smiths’ “There Is A Light That Never Goes Out,” Lou Reed’s “Perfect Day,” Michael Jackson’s “Ben,” and Patti Smith’s “Because The Night.” Alongside reworked solo tracks, she also presents new interpretations of notable Little Birdy songs such as “Beautiful To Me,” “Relapse,” and the 2009 hit “Stay Wild.”
However, these versions differ significantly from the originals. Undressed strips down the arrangements, delivering some of the most intimate interpretations of these songs that fans have ever encountered. “It’s quite raw,” Steele remarked. “Some tracks consist solely of piano and vocals with a few harmonies. Some may find that a bit dull, and that’s perfectly fine, but it is what it is. I found it liberating to approach it this way.”
Reflecting on her earlier recordings with Little Birdy evokes a complex mix of emotions for Steele. “Listening to those old tracks is strange,” she admitted. “My voice sounds so youthful in those recordings; it’s surreal. I sounded like a child — because I was one. Now, my voice resonates more like that of a woman.”
Steele was navigating the transition from adolescence to adulthood when the band initially formed. Their rapid rise to fame meant she had to mature and hone her skills under the public’s gaze. “I was 18 when I picked up the guitar, and shortly thereafter, the band started gaining traction. It wasn’t long before [triple j] began playing our music. I essentially had to learn on stage,” she recalled.
The band’s breakthrough came with the release of “Relapse” in 2003, which made its mark on the ARIA charts and ended the year among the top 20 in the Hottest 100. Although Little Birdy would go on to produce even bigger hits, “Relapse” holds a special place in her heart due to its timeless quality. “It was the song that really put us on the map,” Steele reflected. “It was the first track that [triple j] played. To me, it has never felt outdated. It’s the first song I remember writing, which is remarkable since I don’t recall writing many others. I remember the emotions tied to it — the intensity of young love at 17.”
Steele is set to embark on a tour featuring these intimate performances in support of her new EP later this month. While fans eager for another Little Birdy tour may have to be patient, Steele has not ruled out future collaborations with her former band. “I’m currently focusing on my solo work, but Little Birdy is always in the back of my mind,” she stated. “We are spread across three different states, making it challenging to get everyone together, but we definitely have plans to create new music. We want it to be exceptional; we don’t want to release anything mediocre. So, we are taking our time while preparing in the background.”
Katy Steele will kick off her Australian tour in Hobart on April 23, followed by performances in Adelaide, Melbourne, Brisbane, Sydney, Canberra, and Perth. Her new EP, Undressed, will be available on April 24. Don’t miss Dylan Lewis on Double J Arvos every weekday at 3 PM, available on ABC listen.
