After more than fifteen years building a reputation as one of Australia’s most respected guitarists, Melbourne artist Kathleen Halloran steps into her solo era with her debut album Nobody’s Baby. Blending swaggering rock and roll with deeply personal songwriting, Halloran’s latest single Showstopper captures the confidence, vulnerability and grit that define the record. Ahead of the album release and national tour, we caught up with Kathleen to talk about embracing her rock influences, writing honest music, and why she wants listeners strutting around their living rooms feeling like a showstopper.
Futuremag: Congratulations on your new release, Showstopper. How have people been responding to it? Have fans been reaching out and sharing their thoughts?
Kathleen: Thank you. Yeah, they have. It’s been really nice. Over the last couple of releases with Wolves and now Showstopper, I’ve had so many lovely reach outs. Different songs seem to attract and call out to different kinds of people. Showstopper has really hit the rock and rollers, which is really nice because I love that side of music.
Futuremag: The first thing that stands out is the title itself. “Showstopper” could mean a lot of different things to different people. What does it mean to you in the context of this song?
Kathleen: Showstopper is like, “Baby, you’re a showstopper.” The premise of the song is about being stuck on someone you know is not good for you, but you can’t seem to shake them despite all your effort. They become a bit of a showstopper for you. I wanted it to feel fun and have a bit of swagger about it. I was really playing with that idea while writing it.
Futuremag: It feels personal, but also universal at the same time. I think a lot of people can relate to that experience. How do you hope listeners connect with the song?
Kathleen: I hope people can just rock out to it and feel that sense of release and lightheartedness. I wanted to write something you could strut to. I want people strutting around their living rooms going, “Yeah, I’m a showstopper.” Not you’re a showstopper — I’m a showstopper. Really own it.
Futuremag: That confidence and energy definitely comes through. You mentioned the song is attracting some new listeners as well, especially rock fans.
Kathleen: Yeah, it’s been awesome. That’s the beauty of this record I’m putting out. It’s got elements of all my influences and different genres I’ve played over the years.
Futuremag: Were there any particular artists or sounds you were listening to while writing the song that shaped its direction?
Kathleen: You probably wouldn’t hear it straight away, but I was listening to a lot of St. Vincent for the swagger of it. At the same time, I grew up on classic rock and roll — Led Zeppelin and bands like that — so the guitar tone Tony went with definitely leans in that direction too.
Futuremag: Do you see yourself continuing further into this rock-driven sound moving forward, or will future releases still blend elements of your earlier work?
Kathleen: It’s hard to tell because I think all musicians and artists are transforming with every new song, every release and every gig we play. We’re always changing and developing. So I don’t think the sound will ever stay exactly the same. It’s inevitable that it’ll evolve. But at the same time, I don’t think I can get rock and roll out of my DNA. I think everything I do will always have an element of that in it.
Futuremag: How does Showstopper fit into the bigger picture of the album?
Kathleen: It’s a big part of the story and it really sets the mood and tone for this record. It’s the second last track on the album and it’s usually the encore song in my live set because it lends itself so well to performance. We extend the outro, have fun with the crowd and really let it breathe live. When I first started sending the album around to industry people and peers, this was actually the song that unexpectedly stood out to people the most. I didn’t expect that at the beginning, but it’s been the one people keep coming back to.
Futuremag: It’s funny how the songs you least expect can become fan favourites.
Kathleen: Totally. You can never tell.
Futuremag: Your songwriting is deeply personal and vulnerable. How do you navigate sharing so much of yourself while still protecting parts of your private life?
Kathleen: That’s a good question. I honestly don’t know if I have the answer. I’m a very sensitive person, and when I started this journey as an original artist a few years ago, it was really confronting to suddenly have this open diary situation where people had access to deeply personal experiences through my songs. But I had to confront that and just go for it anyway because I don’t think you can write genuine music unless it’s truly from your heart and your own life. I tried writing from a different place and I just couldn’t finish anything because it wasn’t true. Art has to be true. I also try not to get too caught up in reviews or online commentary. I put the music out and then try to stay present, especially when I’m performing live. Otherwise I’d probably scare myself thinking about it too much.
Futuremag: It must be difficult because even if you try to avoid reviews, people still share things online constantly.
Kathleen: Exactly. And honestly, 99% of the time people are lovely and supportive. But even with the really positive comments, I try not to get too sucked into it. You can end up trapped in this mindset of, “Everyone loves it, everything’s amazing,” and I’d rather stay grounded and focused on improving and moving onto the next thing.
Futuremag: You’re also heading out on tour shortly. How are you feeling going into this run?
Kathleen: I’m so excited. It’s been a long time coming. Me and my very small team have put the whole thing together ourselves, so I’ve been involved in every part of the process — booking it, promo, ticketing, all of it. I feel really invested in it, and I can’t wait to bring this album to places where I’ve never played headline shows before. It’s very exciting.
Futuremag: What do you enjoy most about touring?
Kathleen: Definitely connecting with audiences. But I also love the travelling side of it. I’m not really a holiday person, so touring is my version of that. I love finding little cafes in towns I’ve never been to before, taking drives between shows, meeting local people and discovering places that feel like little homes away from home.
Futuremag: Is there a particular moment in the live show you’re especially excited for audiences to experience?
Kathleen: I don’t want to give too much away, but one thing I’m deeply proud of is the musicians I get to share the stage with. They’re so skillful and amazing. The show is really built around creating moments where every musician gets to shine and lift the roof off the venue individually as well as together. There’s a lot of improvising and off-the-cuff moments in the set too, which makes every show feel special.
Futuremag: I love that emphasis on letting the whole band have their moments. Sometimes audiences discover new favourite musicians that way.
Kathleen: Exactly. They’re all incredibly talented, so we may as well use it.
Futuremag: Lastly, what’s next for you after this album cycle and tour?
Kathleen: Well, after this it’ll probably be round two and another record. I’m already that kind of person where I can’t stop creating. But honestly, I’m very in-the-moment right now. I feel like whatever happens during this tour and this album release will unlock the next step naturally. That’s usually how things happen for me. So I don’t know exactly what comes next yet, but there’ll definitely be something.
Futuremag: Before we wrap up, is there anything else you’d like people to know about the album or tour?
Kathleen: Just that people can preorder the album through my website. It comes out on May 8. And honestly, thank you to everyone getting behind my little album that could.
Futuremag: Perfect timing too — just before Mother’s Day.
Kathleen: Exactly! I can’t think of anything your mum would want more than an artist’s album.
Futuremag: Thanks so much for your time, and all the best for the tour and release.
Kathleen: Thank you so much. I really appreciate it.
