Brissie singer-songwriter Hope D has charmed the nation with her extraordinary storytelling and gritty, heart-on-sleeve alt-pop offerings, which scored her the Emerging Artist Of The Year Award at the Queensland Music Awards in 2020. Her debut LP ‘Clash Of The Substance’ could not arrive sooner, packed with guitar-led ruminations that unpack the queer coming-of-age experience, with lyrics that make everyday mundane moments sparkle.
Known for her spirited live shows, Hope D has played at Groovin The Moo, BIGSOUND, Falls Festival, and Party in the Paddock, and is now set to embark on a massive headline tour, where she’ll treat fans to tracks from the new record. We caught up with Hope to chat about the power of honesty, the awkward situation behind her favourite track on her new album, and the female/non-binary folk who inspire her.
Best Before: You recently played a huge set at Party In The Paddock. What was that experience like for you?
It was so incredible! The band and I were pretty nervous because it was our first time playing with tracks, plus the album had come out the day before! The crowd was incredible and someone made a sign that said ‘Gay for Hope D’, which made my bloody year. And the vibe of the festival was so lovely and inclusive and we just had the best time! Good god it was hot though.
Congratulations on ‘Clash of the Substance’! Absolutely loving the record already. How does it feel finally having it out in the world?
It feels like I have been pregnant for six years and I have finally had the baby. It is such a relief and it’s so nice for it to be out and to genuinely feel like all the work I have been doing for so long can finally be heard! I’ve received so much love, it is incredible. I don’t know what I was expecting, but all the positive feedback has been so lovely!
“It’s been so incredible to share the stage with, not only my best friends, but with a band that identify as queer and female/non-binary.”
Do you have a favorite song from the record? What’s the story behind it?
For sure – it would be “Doormat”! It’s a song I wrote about my ex-partner and about when we broke up, I had to move out of the house we shared together, which was really upsetting. The breakup was so heartbreaking and traumatic enough, but working out who got to take which board game with them was unexpectedly painful. She had a party at the house which I wasn’t wanting or supposed to see, but I did and it felt so terrible not being able to recognise not only the people who were there but the house itself. It’s about the specific story we went through with the process of splitting ways, but we are great friends now, which is so amazing. The song and the story mean a lot to me.
How do you think your sound has evolved since between your ‘Cash Only’ EP and now?
It has absolutely gotten cleaner! Like cleaner, but not necessarily not-dirty, if that makes sense. Everything I write and record just feels like it has so much more intention and purpose now which is super cool ! I feel like I’ve also settled into a more solid and consistent sound as well.
While your lyrics are very much personal, your songs have resonated with so many people – what do you think it is about the stories you tell that connect with listeners on a deeper level?
I think that I talk about a lot of things that are typically shoved to the bottom – which I do a lot – and also, even though a lot of the stories I share are so specific, the themes tend to be quite relatable. I feel that people can appreciate being so honest. I find that when I hear stories or songs that don’t necessarily relate to me , that I have such a connection to that honesty and ability to share the story that I sometimes feel like I can feel it too.
It’s been a really big couple of years for you – have you had a moment to pause and take it all in? Has there been a particular moment that’s stood out so far?
I would say last Christmas, 2022 – that was a nice time to pause! But the album came out the same weekend we went to Tasmania for PITP, and we had lots of downtime together and time to chill, party and take it all in, which felt so incredible to be able to do with the band there too. Felt like a birthday and a Christmas all in one! I will admit though, that it somehow still feels like it hasn’t properly hit me yet, but I know it will. I reckon it’ll be on the tour for the album.
“It feels like I have been pregnant for six years and I have finally had the baby.”
What is your earliest memory of music? Do you remember the first song you learned on guitar?
Pretty sure the first song I could properly play was an Ed Sheeran song. Would’ve been “The A Team” or something similar. But before then, I just fiddled around with a barbie guitar that my dad and uncle got me, and made random sounds with that.
Can you talk us through your songwriting process?
I keep hundreds of notes on my phone of lyrics I think of, or concepts to write songs about if I am stuck. But otherwise, it comes pretty naturally to me and I can write about what I’m feeling at the time. And I just put it to chords that I think suit the song. Orm I write a tune or melody chords first, and write lyrics to match it. I also find that I get quite emotionally affected by stories I hear around me, and find it easy and therapeutic to write songs based on those.
For your live shows, you play alongside an all-female, all-queer band. What impact has that had on your performances and live show experiences?
It’s been so incredible to share the stage with, not only my best friends, but with a band that identify as queer and female/non-binary. It’s so great to put us in the spotlight and show people that bands don’t have to be composed of typically male musicians. People often tell me how empowering it is to see us all up there too, which means so much.
You’ve become a role model for many, including but not limited to young queer musicians/creatives. Who are the role models in your life?
This is such an incredible concept to think that I could have that impact on people, the same way others have had on me! Mine would be G Flip, Julia Jacklin, Sahara Beck, Tia Gostelow, Samantha Andrews, Asha Jefferies, Abbie Chatfield, King Princess, Remi Wolf, Phoebe Bridgers, Jess Day, and heaps more female/non-binary people that aren’t afraid to do what they do, even though it’s not easy and can be scary.
You’ve played some of the country’s most prestigious live show slots, from Laneway, to BIGSOUND, and Splendour. Do you have any pre-show rituals to get in the zone before stepping on stage?
I usually have a beer with my band, do some vocal warmups, go over my lyrics and hype us up before we go on! Nothing too crazy.
Your next headline tour is right around the corner. What can audiences expect from your live shows?
A completely different setup and sound to what they’ve heard before – a couple surprises too! Lots of gems from the album and just a really fun, safe and high energy show. We are so excited for it. Also, incredible sets from my mates The Dandys and my partner and her band Asha Jefferies! It’s going to be so bloody fun.
Watch the video for “Doormat”:
HOPE D ‘CLASH OF THE SUBSTANCE’ | TOUR DATES
Supported by triple j, New World Artists + Sunroom
w/ special guests Asha Jefferies and The Dandys
Friday 24 March – Max Watts, Melbourne VIC – 18+
Saturday 25 March – Crowbar, Sydney NSW – 18+
Friday 31 March – Rosemount Hotel, Perth WA – 18+
Saturday 1 April – UniBar, Adelaide SA – Lic/AA
Thursday 6 April – The Triffid, Brisbane QLD – Lic/AA
Photos by Dave Mahon.