Ella Hooper dug deep on her 2023 solo album, Small Town Temple, and the story is complete with the final single from the record.
‘Oh My Goddess!’ is the sound of an artist coming to terms with her past – “shaking my demons out” – and asserting her independence.
Ella unleashes the goddess within, declaring: “I ain’t gonna kneel for no one. I ain’t gonna smile and sing along. I’ll be my own goddess, I’ll be my own man.”
“This song has been a clear crowd favourite,” Ella says. “It’s about geeing yourself up, slapping yourself on the back, accepting what you’re still working on and taking the plunge anyway.”
“It’s kind of the flip side of ‘Old News’, the very first single, which pondered similar themes from a less convinced, confident standpoint. ‘Oh My Goddess!’ is the results – a rallying cry! Not to sound too trite, but self-work works.”
It’s a song that everyone can relate to. “We all have stuff,” Ella notes. “And not all of it is rosy.”
The release of ‘Oh My Goddess!’ caps a remarkable year for the singer and songwriter. “I put big things out there and sometimes big things happen,” Ella smiles. “I always need new challenges, I need to throw myself curveballs, and new material is the best way of doing that.”
Small Town Temple – a deeply personal exploration of family, friendship, community and childhood memories – had a Top 10 debut on ARIA’s Australian albums chart. And it’s been the most critically acclaimed album of Ella’s career, which started when she was a teenager.
Stack: “The strength of Small Town Temple shows that some lives do indeed have a second act. This is the sound of an artist recapturing the joy and innocence of youth and taking control of her career.”
The Age: “The strength of her new album is in the more worldly insight that lights up its darker corners.”
The Canberra Times: “Her voice has never sounded more comfortable, breezing through sun-soaked melodies.”
And Rhythms magazine called Ella “a modern-day Linda Ronstadt”, adding, “This will definitely be one of the albums of the year.”
“It’s been a very rewarding year,” Ella says. “Changing things up made it all feel fresh again. And I’ve realised that making music and playing it live for people is the best job in the world.”
Ella hits the road with ’Specia Guest’ Van Walker to launch the ‘Oh My Goddess’ single throughout October – December
Shows (Silver & Bronze Membership)
11/11/2023 8.00pm | Admin Fee $12.00 | Book Tickets
Brunswick Ballroom
314 Sydney Road
BRUNSWICK
Melbourne, Victoria
3056
Australia
