Perth’s queen of wide-screen alt pop, Cecilia, celebrates the launch of her first single for 2023, Stay, with a massive party at Mojos.

Stay marks a major progression in Cecilia’s song writing. It’s underscored by music that is both uplifting and, on subsequent listens, creates a sense of foreboding that gives the song the urgency of a John Williams film score. The music provides plenty of space for Cecilia to create a vocal for Stay that is authentic and speaks to the hearts of youth everywhere. The lyric speaks volumes in so few words that comparisons to Paul Kelly’s lyrical genius are not out of place. This is a song of self-reflection and survival.

Joining Cecilia on the night are some of Perth’s best loved artists.

Luke Dux & Atomic Lunchbox

Luke Dux & Atomic Lunchbox are a music explosion. Luke Dux (the Floors, the Kill Devil Hills, Dom Mariani and the Majestic Kelp, Timothy Nelson, Thornbird) starts the song and his special guests hold on tight. They have made sound at Falls Festival, Wave Rock and Rodney’s Bait & Tackle. Taking influence from such acts as Mississippi Fred McDowell, John Lee Hooker, Canned Heat, Yoko Ono and Harem Scarem.

Timothy Nelson with full band

Timothy Nelson fuses clever lyricism with unforgettable hooks; the guy has a bit of a reputation for putting out ear worms. With dozens of songwriting awards under his belt it’s no wonder the versatile Perth songwriter has collaborated with artists including the like of folk artist Liz Stringer to hip hop legend Drapht. But Timothy Nelson’s solo project draws influence from many of the great from decades ago presenting you with something entirely new, with ample helpings of something familiar.

Stella Cain

The wildly eccentric Stella Cain describes her family dinners growing up as “one big band practice”. As a young artist she first discovered performance through her father’s eighties cover band, “Oats Supply”, where she established her timeless sound and mesmerising stage presence. Stella remains true to her own story with honest, soul-bearing song craft that is progressive and feminist-focused exploring life as a queer woman in this world. Stella’s powerfully fluid and nuanced voice fused with her definitively comical personality makes her a new but polished talent on the Perth music scene.