Didirri’s highly anticipated debut album, Caught In The Act is finally here, and it’s his most breathtakingly honest and artistically mature work yet.
The eleven-track record is dripping with unfiltered songwriting, emotive vocal tone and soothing melodies. Trademarks that established the young artist as an important Australian voice to watch after his first two Eps, Sold for Sale (2020) and Measurements (2018).
Didirri Peters already has an impressive string of accolades behind him, with sold-out local and international tours, and performances at Splendour In The Grass, The Great Escape, Latitude, and Primavera Sound, supporting Kate Miller Heidke on her Australian tour, as well as receiving over 75 million streams globally and an ARIA gold-accreditation for his release ‘Blind You’.
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Now, his debut album, flourishing with introspection and nuance, proves the 28-year-old’s profound commitment to truthful storytelling, peeling back another layer of the already-authentic artist with reflections on anxiety, romance, grief, uncertainty, passion, and dread.
“The record title, Caught In The Act, came about when I was thinking about Imposter Syndrome. If someone were to see that I am not necessarily what they think I am, would they be okay with it?” Peters says.
“I Wanted It Easier Than This really kind of summed up the feeling I had going into the record. The song goes through the prospect of being yourself and not presenting a more palatable version of yourself to people.
“When people see my true self, I feel like I’m getting caught out and it’s actually a really pleasant experience.”
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Already, cuts from the album including ‘Begin Again’, ‘Obsolete Machine’ and ‘You Know What’s Good For You’ have played on community radio, been playlisted across Apple Music, Spotify and Amazon and added to double j and ABC, and received praise from the likes of NME, MILKY and Happy Mag.
Written during the global pandemic, the eleven new tracks weave together this tapestry of life lessons and sonic influences, visiting subjects and questions society steers clear of.
“The theme of death and finality is really woven through the record too. I lost two family members during Covid, and it just really put things into perspective.
“You really do have a limited amount of time to enjoy what you do on this planet. There’s a lot of contemplation on that in ‘Obsolete Machine’ and ‘Begin Again’ in particular.
“Obsolete Machine is about my body… a machine that’s going to one day break down and the work that you do and the love and relationships that you cultivate over your life, they’re finite – and that’s kind of what makes it beautiful.
“There’s a reason that plastic flowers aren’t as pretty as real flowers.”
Recorded at Sauna Studios in Melbourne and co-produced with Rob Muinos (Julia Jacklin, Nat Vazer), the record blends what we’ve always loved about Peters’ sound while bringing it into a new era.
“Rob’s production is really central to the whole development,” Peters says.
“He’s the first producer I’ve had who has a solid opinion, and he’s not afraid to say it.
“It was a really trusting experience, making the record.
“This record is very raw. It was recorded live in the room and all the microphones are bleeding. We didn’t isolate the bass or drums or guitar… It was very much a product of live musicians listening to each other.
“Sam Rains and Richard Bradbeer are the bass player and drummer… they just have a friendship and a musical connection that really is the heart and soul of the record.”
The album also features Peters’ partner and fellow singer-songwriter, Rowena Wise.
“She’s a vital part in the way things get written now… It’s a really special musical moment for us.
“She has a record coming out next year that feels very much like a sibling record to this one, they were written and recorded around the same time, with Rob producing her record as well.”
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In the album, we hear a tapestry of influences, with tape delay reminiscent of Emmylou Harris, songwriting inspired by Bob Dylan and Big Theif, and the live band sound inspired by Tom Waits’ 1999 record, Mule Variations.
Now Peters is getting ready to hit the road with a full band for a 10-date Australian Tour, beginning with four Victorian shows in Anglesea, Castlemaine and Melbourne.
“It’s going to be really nice just to go home and be on the road, but in my comfort zone.
“As community and people, we evolved to need each other, and I think music is this really special thing in the room that can’t be replaced…. And meeting people is just an essential part of that.”
Didirri – The Caught In The Act Tour
Sooki Lounge, Belgrave 5 October
Sound Doctor, Anglesea, 7 October
Howler, Melbourne, 12 October
Theatre Royal, Castlemaine, 13 October.
Purchase tickets here.
