Tracey Sutcliffe; aka Subtlety
In the next few days, Mayfly Records will be pointing a well deserved spotlight on its roster’s esteemed talents and associations. In WordPress form. *cough*
Beggers can, in fact, be choosers.
We soldier on with an interview conducted with highly regarded singer, songwriter, and pianist, Tracey Sutcliffe. Fans in the know will know her better under the stage name Subtlety. And those same in-the-knows will instantly recognize that voice upon one listen.
Hailing from the mysterious, poisonous, and all-together dingo eaten Australia, Subtlety burst upon the independent scene with her early ’24 full length album ‘Meant to Be‘. A piano balladeer at heart, she has developed quite the following amongst fans and her fellow artists alike.
But what sets Subtlety apart is her willingness to embrace and further the avant-garde.
Q: Tell us a little about yourself.
What are some of the things that have shaped you?
My early years as a child involved living a sort of vagabond lifestyle, where my family never stayed too long in one place. The result was me having to attend 5 different Primary Schools in Western Australia and South Australia before the age of 8 years old. I believe that this may have resulted in myself carrying a level of detachment below the surface to survive, to this very day. I also believe it may have given me the courage to perform on stage later on.
What are some of the things that you are most proud of?
I participated in high level competitive sports like Tennis and Netball and enjoyed various success in both, representing my schools and clubs in South Australia and Interstate. I am also proud that despite the number of schools I attended, I was able to finish at the required highest level and proceed to further education.
Who are some of your favorite artists?
Popular artists in the charts have always gained my attention. It was only as I got older that I became more discerning with my own tastes and not just what the radio feed was. I always appreciated great songwriting with poignant messages from the Bernie Taupin and Elton John era. The ethereal, progressive Pink Floyd appealed to me intellectually and I got swept away into the New Romantic synth laden genre of the 80’s.
What is your favorite book?
It’s actually a book on Philosophy that I have continuously revisited whenever I have felt that some perspective was needed in any situation that I have had to face. It is from 1968 and it is still worth browsing through.
Is happiness the main gauge of Life?
I suppose being at peace with oneself is the most important and that should bring you happiness.
When was it that you decided that music and/or sound design was a passion?
Music has always moved me, it’s a release, it gathers your thoughts, makes you feel and see what words sometimes cannot convey. In that respect, it has always been one of my closest friends.
Is it a passion?
Yes, as important as breathing, melody is always present in the mind.
Why?
I don’t have a choice really, it always draws me in and if I can’t hear it, my mind will search for it. Maybe it’s a comfort that is needed to feel alive.
What is it that you are trying to get across to the listeners you manage to snare?
The human spirit to me, is so complex and challenged. I think music may be the only way to truly bring people together in harmony, so by pairing thoughtful lyrics to emotive melodies I hope to provide a welcoming space for the listener to reflect on their own internal spirit and how that may help them navigate the environment around them.
What have been your artistic highlights?
Well, being able to compose and write my first song, felt that I had unlocked a key to a very private box, that only few had opened. Artistically, I can honestly say just being respected by my peers who also compose original music has been so rewarding. Collaborating with others to create art in music brings its own freedom and accomplishment, for which I am eternally thankful for, as it makes me feel like we’ve contributed to the artistic environment we live in. Oh and of course joining the artist roster on Mayfly Records!!
Many claim that we do this for ourselves – but if that were truly the case, we’d all pull an Emily Dickinson and keep the work to ourselves:
From where have you gained the confidence to put yourself out there (musically or otherwise)?
It was a bandaid initially that just had to be ripped off. I needed to express myself in a way that was going to relieve the internal emotional pressure that had been building up from just years of participating in life and all the pressures it accompanied.
Finally,
This is a question inspired by the interviews conducted by Deb LeMotta: If you could go back and give your younger self a piece of needed advice, what would it be?
Life is a diary, just keep writing.
Thank you for reading. In addition to her own Bandcamp page (linked above), you can find the works of Subtlety on the Mayfly Records Bandcamp page. There you can find the various collaborative efforts that she has contributed to – Uned Drydan’s C3: C4: Energy, the Mayfly Radio compilation, and her work with Bärkər.
Power to the Imagination.