Woody Pitney Sometime, This Lifetime Interview

Woody Pitney is a Pop/Folk singer-songwriter from Melbourne, Australia and after isolating in a cabin during the Coronavirus pandemic, he triumphantly returns to the world with his new single "Sometime, This Lifetime". First gaining international attention in 2014 when his song "You Can Stay" was featured on the television commercial for travel company 'weg.de' in Germany, the positive reception Pitney saw Pitney climb to the top the iTunes Singer/Songwriter charts in several European countries while still an independent artist. After signing a record deal with Universal Music, Woody released the You Can Stay EP and began performing at festivals and touring across Europe, Asia, USA and Australia. Since then, Pitney has continued to generate global hype with this music; achieving Spotify playlisting, charting on iTunes internationally, gaining airplay on both independent & commercial stations around the world, and indie chart success with multiple songs topping the Triple J Unearthed charts.

Produced by Eddy Barbour in Melbourne and mastered by Steve Smart at Studios 301 in Sydney, Pitney explains "The song is essentially a break-up song with the logic that no matter how bad the relationship ended, there will come a time when all the bitter feelings and dark emotion will eventually dissolve over time." With lockdowns coming into place earlier in the year, Pitney adapted with his producer and finished the track remotely, sending audio files and mixing tweaks across from the home studio setup he assembled in Central Victoria. The raw, heartfelt lyrics are juxtaposed with the uplifting energy of the track, assisted with Ollie Whitehead (Dhana Bhutan, Animaux, Cousin Tony's Brand New Firebird) featuring on the saxophone.

Pitney's 2019 EP Hear Me Out also features collaborations with internationally renowned producers John Castle (Vance Joy & Dean Lewis) and Charlie Hugall (Ed Sheehan, Florence & The Machine). The five-track EP showcases Woody's brand of honest and powerful music, with catchy hooks and thoughtful lyrics powered by tight Folk/Pop production. With his musical prowess and dynamic vocal ability, it's clear to see why critics have compared him to the likes of Matt Corby, George Ezra and Boy & Bear in the past. After spending the start of 2020 touring the NSW coast playing bushfire relief charity gigs, Pitney makes his mark with "Sometime, This Lifetime".

Interview with Woody Pitney

Question: How would you describe your music?

Woody Pitney: I describe it as Folk/Pop music, however there are definitely influences of Country and Rock music in a lot of my songs as well.


Question: Can you tell us about "Sometime, This Lifetime"?

Woody Pitney: It's essentially a break-up song with some dark lyrics juxtaposed with an upbeat and fun melody. It's also a song about resilience and perseverance, which is definitely something that is applicable to a lot of us in 2020.


Question: Is there a particular message you hope listeners take from your music?

Woody Pitney: I like to make relatable music that people can evoke a sense of feeling from. I do write a lot of my music with my live shows in mind. I really like to make music that I know can transform to a live environment well.


Question: Which is your favourite song to perform live and why?

Woody Pitney: At the moment, I have the most fun performing my song 'Lacerate' because I tend to jump into the crowd and have a big sing-along with the audience. Not too sure when I'll be able to do that again though!


Question: How does it feel to tour across the world?

Woody Pitney: It's a surreal feeling to go to all different parts of the world and have people you've never met before singing your music back to you.


Question: What motivates you most when writing music?

Woody Pitney: The thought of making better music and improving all the time is a big motivation for me. When it comes to inspiration for songs, I get motivated by all different types of things from relationships and friendships to things as simple as food.


Question: Which music/artists are you currently listening to?

Woody Pitney: I've been listening to a lot of Finneas lately. As an artist who writes and produces his own music himself, he's pretty inspirational.


Question: If you could collaborate with another artist, who would it be?

Woody Pitney: Considering everything he writes turns to solid gold, I'd have to say Ed Sheeran.

Question: How does it feel to hear your song played all over the airwaves?

Woody Pitney: It's a great feeling and super rewarding for all the hard work that it takes to get it to that point.


Question: What is the biggest challenge you have faced along the way to your musical success?

Woody Pitney: I've faced a lot of different challenges along the way and I don't think there's any that I would classify as my 'biggest', but I think like all challenges in life, the more you can take away from it, the better you will be for the experience.


Question: How has isolation (COVID-19) been for you?

Woody Pitney: Like all musicians, it's been really difficult. I think one of the main positives that I can take away from it will be that I've been able to write a lot of new music and teach myself to become better at recording and producing my own music.


Question: What's a typical day like?

Woody Pitney: Wake up, coffee, do a bit of uni study in the morning, and then spend the afternoon making music.


Question: What's next, for you?
Woody Pitney: I'm hoping to release more new music this year, as well as dip my toes in a few other musical projects.


Question: Can you share your socials? (links please)

Woody Pitney: Facebook 
Instagram 
Twitter 
YouTube 


Interview by Gwen van Montfort