Photo: Ben Westover
Making your way through the music biz as a lady rocker isn’t just about dodging the odd guitar cable—it’s a full-on battle against the age-old boys’ club and their not-so-secret handshake. It’s about cranking up the volume of your talent and creativity in a mix that’s been pretty heavy on the bass.
Cue the entrance of Sydney, Australia’s Second Idol, stepping into the spotlight with their latest one-two punch banger, Boxing Ring. This battle cry is belted out by the fiercely talented Kate Olivia, smashing stereotypes with a rhythm that won’t back down and a melody that dares to stand its ground. The band explodes with raw honesty, exposed nerves, and the kind of grit that makes diamonds look soft.
“Boxing Ring is a reflection on being a woman in the music industry,” says Second Idol. “It can be a circus. It’s informed by the barriers women in music face. It’s about our aspirations, dreams, and struggles. The title refers to the continual fight that we face in the industry. That women, non-binary and trans musicians are often treated as diversity trophies, novelised, and not taken seriously. We’re constantly pitted against each other and cut down. It feels as though we’re thrown into a boxing ring with each other, fighting for scraps, where often the more femme-presenting individual wins and men leer from every corner. Join us in the ring to fight our way out.”
Rolling into the scene with a touch of retro flair, the latest music video from the gang, directed by Cameron Davies, takes us on a visual joyride from the graffiti-splashed lanes of Brighton Le Sands to the edgy streets of Sydney’s Inner West. Kicking off with cryptic peeks at street art, the band jams out against a dreamy beach scene that’s about as clear as a foggy day in London. But it’s the kind of mystery we’re here for. Then, in a blink-and-you-miss-it whirl of instruments, the video dives headfirst into the glorious, grainy world of VHS nostalgia, complete with those hues that remind you of your aunt’s 80s wedding video. Let’s not skim over Kate Farquharson’s powerhouse performance—her expressions pack more punch than a double espresso, bringing a raw emotionality to the table that’s as captivating as the vintage vibes.
Watch the video for “Boxing Ring” below:
Diving into the studio ring with ‘Boxing Ring,’ Second Idol threw some heavyweight punches with Clayton Segelov (Shady Nasty; Sleepmakeswaves) at The Brain Studios.
On the live circuit, Second Idol has rubbed shoulders and shared mics with The Buoys and Teenage Joans, not to mention throwing down with SCABZ, Baxter Dury, and Jen Cloher.
If ‘Boxing Ring’ has you throwing your fists in the air and begging for an encore, this track is just the opening act, a sneak peek of the headliner that’s on its way. Stay tuned: Second Idol’s got more up their sleeve, and the big reveal is just around the corner.
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