Chelsea Manor Venture Into Unnerving Territory For New Single, ‘Predator’
Chelsea Manor. Image: Supplied
Mount Gambier trio Chelsea Manor have returned with their first piece of new music since 2022’s ‘Tide Times’, unveiling their latest track, the powerful ‘Predator’.
It’s been a few years since Chelsea Manor first formed, emerging onto the scene with great acclaim as they played massive shows with equally-large names from the Aussie music scene. It took no time at all for the trio to start cranking out massive tunes with a gritty pop-punk lean, exuding an inimitable sense of raw power and unbridled confidence at every turn.
Following on from singles such as ‘Breathe’, ‘Lotion’, ‘Shakin’, and a cover of the theme song to classic ABC children’s series Round The Twist, the group have unveiled ‘Predator’ as their most ferocious and personal song to date.
“I remember when I started writing ‘Predator’, it began as a safe space to confide in, a place to put some words to paper to help process what I was going through at the time,” explains vocalist/guitarist Bianca Hendy. “Anyone that knows me knows I thrive on figuring out how things work.
“I don't tend to leave any mystery unsolved (mystery gang unite) and I don't like to leave things unsaid. So how does one cope when they aren't able to express how they feel to the person directly? The way I've always known how; to write, to scream, yell, and make myself heard.”
The recording process of the song was an undeniably personal one, with bandmates Michael Collins and Ivan Heenan, alongside producer Tyson Fish, helping Hendy to work through the confronting emotions that emerged out of the studio time, ultimately resulting in a performance that is among the group’s best.
“I didn't realise at the time but I was still deep in the depths of processing while heading away to Melbourne to record ‘Predator’,” Hendy recalls. “It was the first time away from home for a while. I'm feeling so vulnerable, anxious, and fearful when it should be an exciting time.
“It was time to do the vocals, there is something about being in a dark soundproof space alone with your thoughts, I could feel the welling sensation, the pain in the back of my throat. ‘Please no, not here, don't cry’. And then it started. The first tear, followed by ‘I'm fine’ – the magic words to start the tsunami of tears about to swallow me. Either Ivan or Michael rushed for the tissues, 'You need water or anything?', 'Yes please', as I wanted to simply blend in with the depths of the wall never to be seen again but Tyson [Fish, producer] sprung into action: 'Cry as much as you need, and when you feel better, let's redirect, do the heavier scream parts, and help let some of this emotion out'.
“And that's what we did. I cried, I yelled, I screamed, I put everything on the table,” adds Hendy. “I think that's a tribute to a great producer and great person. He took on that emotional toll with me and ultimately It gave the track the emotive rawness it required. We wanted to capture the fear, anxiety and anger that had been spreading within me, release it, and give it back to them.”
The resulting three minutes are easily some of the most raw, personal, powerful, and truly confronting in the group’s ever-expanding catalogue. It’s a fitting addition to their ferocious live performances, and it’s one that comes from a place that we’ve all witnessed over the time, but never had the courage to venture into deeper.
“‘Predator’ is unnerving, chilling and unapologetically in your face,” concludes Hendy. “It's a letter to a ‘nice guy’. The one who wears a façade, no matter the mask you put on, people will always see you for what you truly are; they all know.”
Chelsea Manor’s ‘Predator’ is out now.
