Black Dahlia, an avant-garde artist navigating between Britain and Australia, cuts a singular figure in experimental art rock. Deeply rooted in theatre and dance, her performances blend jazz-inflected intricacies and progressive eccentricity. The stunning Bodyguard exemplifies this fearless fusion, pushing boundaries in both sound and spectacle. Draped in dramatic oversized suits, her makeup recalling Steve Strange’s striking visage, she channels Laurie Anderson’s adventurous energy. Dahlia’s eclectic expressions echo art rock’s most iconic innovators: the theatricality of Talking Heads, the flamboyance of Klaus Nomi, the adventurous imagination of Peter Gabriel and Kate Bush, and the restless reinventions of Bowie.
In celebration of the one-year anniversary of Bodyguard, Black Dahlia is offering an exclusive release via the label imprint, School of Dahlia.
“Bodyguard is a theatrical exploration of gaining a new body but your soul remains,” the artist explains. “It is a sonnet to your past physical body in this realm and the new union that will inevitably be formed. A harsh and gentle celebration of your capabilities, your limits, and your destiny.”
The video barrels forward boldly, with frenetic choreography, whimsical montages, and vivid green-screen gambits. One especially arresting scene conjures surreal hospital musicals reminiscent of Dennis Potter’s revered series, The Singing Detective. Enlivened by spirited cameos from Melbourne’s eclectic art circle: Bura Bura portraying Dr. Barget Hower, Manda Wolf as Dr. Avanti, and Cong Josie embodying Dr. Cong – the piece revels in collaborative mischief. Here, in this jubilant collision of eccentric performance and visual delight, Bodyguard becomes an affectionate homage to artistic absurdity.
Watch the video for Bodyguard below:
You can listen to Bodyguard at the link below and purchase the digital single here.
The special 12-inch vinyl single features Bodyguard on Side A, and an additional bonus track—the original 2018 demo—on Side B. The package includes a printed insert with lyrics, accompanied by the storyboard from the music video. The Bodyguard 12” vinyl single ships at the end of May. Pre-order vinyl here.
Black Dahlia’s early years, divided between Germany, the UK, and ultimately Australia, formed her distinctive musical identity. Immersed in experimental sounds from childhood and formally trained in vocals, dance, and keyboard, she honed her talents through local performances and later at a performing arts high school, where her skills in songwriting and production flourished. Inspired by Düsseldorf’s New Beat and atmospheric synthesizer pop, her dedication earned two honorary scholarships. Relocating to Sydney in 2015, she established the hyper-vintage-pop project Daisy, known for its flamboyant style, performing at festivals like Beams and Heaps Gay. In 2016, she joined Sydney’s prog ensemble Zu Khanu. Often likened to Klaus Nomi and Peter Gabriel, her international releases and notable appearances, sharing stages with Kris Baha, Buzz Kull, Zanias, and Rebel Yell, and performing at Tasmania’s Dark Mofo festival alongside Kim Gordon and Chelsea Wolfe, affirm her place in Australia’s avant-garde music landscape.
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