INTERVIEW: Delta Goodrem releases new album and book 'Bridge Over Troubled Dreams'
Image: Ashleigh Larden
It has been five years since Australian music icon Delta Goodrem released an original studio album and today she returns with not just an album but also a book, both called Bridge Over Troubled Dreams.
Although it was created after a period of personal difficulties - after undergoing surgery in late 2018 to have her salivary gland removed, she woke up to find she could not control her speech - the album is Goodrem at her very best, a collection of intimate and emotive songs, mixing up her trademark piano-infused pop with gospel, funk and rock. With more honesty and openness in her lyrics than ever before, in many ways this marks a new era for Goodrem as she embraces what she calls her first “woman” record. “This chapter is about truth,” she says. “It’s about transparency; saying things out loud that I’ve always held inside. It’s about who I am and who I have always been deep down.”
Alongside the album, the Bridge Over Troubled Dreams book also lands today, which reveals the intimate stories behind the songs on the album, accompanied by never-before-seen pictures from her personal collection: candid behind-the-scenes shots, unreleased tour photos and personal snaps from her childhood.
To celebrate the release of Bridge Over Troubled Dreams we recently caught up with Delta to chat more about the album and book.
Hey Delta! So good to be chatting with you today. Congratulations on the release of your new album Bridge Over Troubled Dreams, it is an incredible album. How does it feel to finally have it out in the world?
It is amazing to have my new album and book, Bridge Over Troubled Dreams out in the world for everyone to hear and read. They have been years in the making and I am really proud of the body of work created. It’s all live instruments, you can even hear my piano pedal if you listen close to some songs ha!
This album was obviously informed by the trauma you went through after complications from salivary gland surgery. How different do you think the album would have turned out if that hadn’t happened?
If I wouldn’t have had the nerve damage, the album most probably would have been completely different! That’s a real "back to the future" thought right there, ha (my all-time favourite movie)! However, in saying that, I was already on the path of wanting to go back to the basics of songwriting. That moment really felt like a very “still" moment, where it was all about taking the pause and reflection, listening and observing. The reset caused by my nerve damage definitely shaped the overall body of work, but I was ready to write a very personal album that was stripped back at my piano, staying true to where I started; barefoot at the piano writing from my heart, sharing lessons learnt, observations on society and embracing what is most important in life.
The single ‘Billionaire’ is such an incredible track. It is really cinematic and I can see it soundtracking an epic wild west Hollywood blockbuster! What was the inspiration behind the soundscape for this track?
I love that! That’s what I see with the song too! Musically, there was inspiration to create a track that had a blend of toughness and femininity, like a Nancy Sinatra track, with the lyrical vibes of her father Frank Sinatra’s ‘I Did It My Way’ or Shania Twain’s ‘That Don't Impress Me Much’. Not to mention the incredible Cher quote about telling her mum, “I am a rich man". When I was producing the song, I couldn’t help making it a bit more dramatic and playful in the sound as time went on – it had to have musical sass to match the lyrics. Fun fact: We recorded the song at United Recording in a studio where Nancy and Frank had made many records…so the soundscape of their spirit was in the room.
The album is very personal and many of the tracks see you really speaking from the heart. Is there ever a moment of fear or anxiety when releasing these songs that the whole world will be able to listen to, and pick apart, your innermost thoughts?
People connect to each other through shared experiences, and I hope that people find take-aways that are applicable to their own journeys. Of course it is scary to share your vulnerabilities, but I have always believed there is great strength in vulnerability, especially when you are sharing with the goal of helping others.
‘The Power’ is such an invigorating song with the 70s funk vibe and the electric guitar. What was the inspiration behind this song?
’The Power’ really started out as an emotional anthem about believing and harnessing the power we all have within us. I went back and reworked this song at the very end of the record as I decided whilst the album felt very introspective, ‘The Power’ lives within a different space and having that strong energy kick in was so important to the album’s overall power!
‘All Of My Friends’ is perhaps the complete opposite from ‘The Power’ sound wise, a gorgeous piano ballad about being away from loved ones which we can all relate to over the past 12 months. Can you talk us through the creation of this gem?
It was a really organic moment, I was genuinely just missing home, my family and friends. I sat at the piano and started writing this song through tears. I then had a writing session with the wonderful and talented Amy Wadge and finished the song together. We kept it really true to the heart and soul of what I was feeling.
It is coming up to 20 years since you first released music, what are the biggest changes you have seen over those two decades?
So much has changed from 20 years ago, we didn’t have streaming or social media. The music landscape looked very different. Life is about evolving and embracing change, while I miss some aspects of it being a simpler time 20 years ago, I am so grateful for how accessible music is for everyone and how connected we all are around the world.
You are also releasing your first ever book today - what was the experience of writing a book like?
Writing a book has always been one of my goals. Bridge Over Troubled Dreams is such a personal record that a book was the perfect way to take the stories from the album and go a step further to take readers on a deep dive into my inspiration for each song. Revealing the truth behind the lyrics and sharing never before seen photos. When I was growing up, I used to love to take an album booklet home and read all through it, this book is like an expanded and more in-depth version of an album booklet.
Your Bridge Over Troubled Dreams tour is kicking off in September - how does it feel to be able to perform in a stadium in front of real live people again?
I could not be more excited to be back out on the road and tour. I love performing live and have missed it so much. It is going to be incredible to bring live music back after the past year. Music is so healing, and live music is exactly what we all need along with a good night out! I can’t wait for everyone to see the tour creative as well!
New album, first ever book and tour is all coming up - what else is on the cards for Delta Goodrem in 2021?
I have lots of exciting projects in the works! I recently launched my own production company, Atled Productions, and we are currently developing a variety of projects. I also started my own foundation, and we are working closely with St. Vincent’s Hospital in Sydney to fund medical research in the area of cellular therapy with the goal of finding a cure for blood cancers and auto-immune diseases.
Bridge Over Troubled Dreams the album is out now via Sony Music Australia. You can buy and stream here.
Bridge Over Troubled Dreams the book is out now Simon & Schuster. You can buy here.
The Bridge Over Troubled Dreams tour kicks off in September and travels around Australia. Tickets are on sale now.
24 September - Newcastle Entertainment Centre
25 September - Royal Theatre, National Convention Centre, Canberra
30 September - WIN Entertainment Centre, Wollongong
2 October - Gold Coast Convention & Exhibition Centre
6 October - Townsville Convention & Entertainment Centre
8 October - Brisbane Entertainment Centre
9 October - Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney
13 October - RAC Arena, Perth
15 October - Adelaide Entertainment Centre Arena
16 October - Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne
