Getting to know Libby Steel

Surf coast singer-songwriter Libby Steel has shared her new single Antidote, ahead of the release of her upcoming debut EP. We asked her to tell us about herself:

I am on my way home from two weeks in NSW where I played my first ever Byron Bay Bluesfest! I’m excited, full of adrenalin, exhausted and inspired all at once!

Antidote is sultry and smooth. It’s the fourth single from my debut EP which I wrote in 2021 and recorded with John Castle in his Coburg studio.

It’s about a toxic relationship and asking your partner who is going to save them from their own toxic behaviour when you leave them.

My upcoming debut EP will be worth the wait! I never anticipated it would take so long to release, but throw a pandemic in the mix and here we are!

But, it’s finally on it’s way and I couldn’t be more excited to share it with all of your ears in May!  

Home is…. not a place, but a feeling. I’ve had many different homes over the years, from growing up on a dairy farm in regional Victoria to living by the coast. Now, I’m about to shake it all up again and jet off to Europe for 6 months to record and play. It won’t feel like home at first, but in time I know it will.

I spend too much time wearing my ‘business’ hat, and not enough time creating. It’s a struggle every independent musician has to juggle.

I look forward to focusing on the creative side of things in Europe. I’ll be picking up my guitar a lot more, channelling all of the beautiful sights and experiences into my next body of work.

I’ve never felt more confident in my sound. One silver lining of the pandemic was having time to slow down and hone in on my craft. In the past, I have doubted my writing ability and shied away from production as it’s quite intimidating for a newcomer!

I taught myself how to use Ableton during lockdown and started writing and recording the EP. Through the process, I have gained a better understanding of who I am as a musician, what I am capable of and what music I want to create.

Playing at Byron Bay Bluesfest was a pinch myself moment! It’s not everyday you get to play at Bluesfest, so I made sure to slow down and take in every last moment. It was my first time, but it definitely won’t be my last.

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Visit: libbysteelmusic.com.

Interview by Bobby Townsend. Photo by Zoe Strapp.