Domini Forster is fast establishing herself as one of Melbourne’s brightest new voices in modern folk. The singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist is currently preparing to release her debut album. Hovering deftly in the breathless spaces between light and dark, Raven is an unfeigned paean to the shadow. Steeped in melody and awash with ornate chamber arrangements, the album was produced by indie ‘it kid’ Nick Huggins (Kid Sam; Hello Satellites; Oscar + Martin), and recorded in the fading light of late summer at the sleepy coastal village of Point Lonsdale.
Elegant chromatic lines weave, ivy-green, through a tapestry of ukulele, piano, banjo, guitar, and acoustic bass. Throughout it all, Forster’s distinctive vocal shifts effortlessly from a commanding, reverb-laden call to a lilting, whisper-close falsetto. It’s no wonder the elfin songwriter is earning comparisons to the likes of Laura Marling, Sufjan Stevens and Joni Mitchell.
Forster is a Byron girl, born into an unusually artistic family. Her mother is a filmmaker and fine artist (Susie Forster) while her father has a background in theatre, the performing arts and clowning. At age eight she took up the violin, with piano, guitar, and various other string instruments following in time. Teenage-hood opened her eyes to a new realm of eclectic musical worlds – from 60s and 70s folk balladeers, to Led Zeppelin, Queen, Polyphonic Spree, The Mountain Goats, pop phenomenon Destiny’s Child and the poetic flow of rap music.
In 2013 Forster was hand-picked by renowned Australian songwriter Lior to support on his national tour. A strong creative friendship formed over 60+ shows across the country, and Lior eventually invited Forster to sing onstage beside him at the Opera House, accompanied by the Sydney Symphony Orchestra.
Catch Domini Forster on her home coming with a gig at the Poinciana Cafe in Mullumbimby on Friday from 6.30pm.
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