Jo Davie Binds A Book Of Stories In Debut EP 'Nothing Comes Free'

Rest your head and listen to the stories Jo Davie has to tell in her debut EP, 'Nothing Comes Free', a rich anthology told through gorgeous indie-folk and her spellbinding voice, coming out on Friday, May 2.

For as long as it's been around, music has been used to tell stories, and since graduating from the Queensland Conservatorium in 2017 with First Class Honours and the University Medal, Jo Davie has been channeling her ancestors, telling tales through songs live on stage at festivals like Woodford Folk Festival (QLD), The National Folk Festival (ACT), and the Caloundra Music Festival (QLD), connecting with an audience and giving them something to bring home with them.

Her focus on human connection has resulted in her earning the Carol Lloyd Award at the Queensland Music Awards, selling out her shows, and supporting ARIA-winning artist Katie Noonan across a variety of venues, all while working on her PHD.

Now, she is releasing her debut EP - a 6-track journey into the wonderland of her mind, played across a variety of instruments from strings to synth. It begins with 'Throw Me A Rope', a slow jam woven from a lilting voice that rises and falls with the grace of a songbird and instruments with a noncorporeal nature brought in through the fuzz of the guitar and soft echoing effects. This tells the story of a love left away from harbour but not let out to sea, how it feels to want to either be loved or 'let go', but not left drowning in the middle.

The second track, 'Cemetery', is equally as tender and vulnerable, highlighting Jo Davie's acoustic roots within an immersive, swirling soundscape. Twinkling picked guitar enchants when paired with gentle violin and her captivating voice, with grounding drum cycles that support the track as it reaches out to the sky. There's an air of sadness to the track, though it finds peace in an atypical situation, mourning the loss of a relationship in the place where things are laid to rest.

The third track, 'Sandcastles', was a semi-finalist in the International Songwriting Competition. Its clear opening and drum cycles invite the listener into pure indie-rock Australiana, evoking sad memories on a sunny day. This song explores loss in all its forms– even when a sandcastle gets destroyed by the tide, it will live on in beautiful memory.

'Say The Word' is a break from her usual folksy style, opening with vocoder harmonies that stand alone to be joined by subtle, complimentary synth, bringing to mind the gentle sounds of a church organ and images of digital angels. It captures the strange feeling of devotion, knowing just a word could convince you to stay forever.

'Colder' is a folk-pop tune that sounds like a well-worn memory. With dreamy instrumental construction and Jo Davie's powerful yet vulnerable vocals, this song is an intimate dwelling on a relationship's end and finding the beauty that blooms in the emptiness they've left.

The track sharing the name of the EP and its finale, 'Nothing Comes Free' is a perfect example of the tenderness and vulnerability that Jo has mastered. Gentle guitar and layered vocals are a warm blanket, something familiar and nostalgic with a twist, as the electric guitar solo brings the music to a hopeful peak. This song is a three-act story in its own right, exploring how easy it is to worry so much about something that you forget to enjoy it, and the other side of that coin– finding the beauty in the moments as they come.

Accompanying the release of the EP is the title track's music video, filmed by longtime friend and collaborator Caleb Colledge. Shot on the quiet shores of Stradbroke Island/Minjerribah"a place Jo describes as "maybe my favourite place on earth""the video captures a golden afternoon spent chasing the sunset. With her family memories tied to that beach and the song's message about finding peace in the present, the setting couldn't have been more fitting. It's a visual reflection of the track's core: letting go of the end and choosing instead to be right where you are.

As of May 1, Jo Davie is officially on tour, giving people a chance to engage with her stories face to face and share the moment in a community of listeners.

Get immersed in Jo Davie's world with her magical debut EP 'Nothing Comes Free', out Friday, May 2nd.

'Nothing Comes Free' Tour - Information