Caught in the storm of life at 16, Catie Alison stood stilled by what appeared to be an impending, life-altering event. She only questioned herself: “What is it that you want?” From that introspective moment sprung ‘To Please Her,’ a dream-folk lullaby that delicately walks the line between innocence and maturity.
Catie Alison does such intricate production work on this track that it’s really quite entrancing. It starts out with a childlike, playful quality and builds into this rich tapestry of swirling cello and twinkling piano. Much like her own journey, the realisation of growing up is one full of layers and complexity. The influences are very much through in the delicate, ethereal harmonies used and thoughtful, poetic lyrics characteristic of Sufjan Stevens.
Written in 2019, ‘To Please Her’ emerges as the long-overdue centrepiece from Catie’s self-produced EP, ‘The Risk of Winter’. This release epitomises a pivotal moment for the Geelong-native artist, along with her remarkable development and depth into her musical skills.
This music from Catie Alison speaks to her creativity and to her understanding of the emotional power of sound. She weaves together music and poetry in a way that is at once intimate and expansive. Whether recording songs in her bedroom, teaching Celtic and Classical Cello, or playing music with her family, Catie does it with a keen sense of passion for what she does.
‘To Please Her’ is indeed the type of song that lets the listener step inside the young artist’s mind, a deep thinker trying to answer some of life’s biggest questions. The result is a track that seems both personal and universal, creating a place of solace and inspiration for anyone who listens to it. As the first single from ‘The Risk of Winter,’ it sets a high bar and leaves us eagerly anticipating what Catie Alison will share next.
‘To Please Her’ is a salve to the swirling madness of the world—a reminder to sit still, look inside, and ask oneself what really matters. Catie Alison’s voice is a soft guide through this process, and her music is a present to us all.
You can listen to ‘To Please Her’ below: