A soaring and potently stirring debut outing from Ngarrindjeri singer-songwriter Ellie Lovegrove, the brand new single ‘I’m Gonna Fly’ features none other than the late great Archie Roach AO, with the revered storyteller’s familiar vocals seamlessly blending into Lovegrove’s empowered tones. A soulful celebration of growth and letting go, ‘I’m Gonna Fly’ also heralds the release of Songs from the Kitchen Table; the ultimate illustrated commemoration of iconic Australian creatives Archie Roach and Ruby Hunter. Vividly told in songs, stories, photographs and tributes, Songs from the Kitchen Table is available now.
Following ongoing collaborations with an array of esteemed Australian musicians over the years, ‘I’m Gonna Fly’ unveils Ellie Lovegrove’s first official single release, with the poignant serenity flowing throughout the track attesting to Lovegrove’s powerful growth and aspiration that she experienced alongside reaching out to Archie Roach himself after spending time on the road with the iconic late artist.
“After sharing some time touring with Uncle Archie and listening to his stories, I had commuted back to Adelaide and written the song in a time of deep reflection,” shares Lovegrove of the ‘I’m Gonna Fly’ origin story. “With just the first verse and the chorus, I wasn’t sure as to where to go next and humbly asked if Uncle Archie would be interested in hearing what I had and if he would be interested in collaborating on the piece. I had no expectations, if anything I just wanted to share with him as he had with me and I was deeply taken back when I was told Uncle had included a verse to the song. To then be able to intertwine our voices together in the last chorus was a really special moment for me. ‘I’m Gonna Fly’ is a song I wrote about breaking free from things I felt were holding me back from being true to myself. It’s about personal growth and being in alignment with my miwi (Spirit) and trusting that despite the trials and tribulations I may face, if I am true to myself and my spirit, I will prosper, spiritually, mentally and therefore physically. This song is very sentimental, and it is about growth, letting go and overcoming those heavy feelings change can bring. I feel as though it will create a life of its own as different people interpret the lyrics to their own circumstances.”
Working alongside producer Craig Pilkington to bring the glowing new single to life, alongside a beautiful accompanying animated clip, ‘I’m Gonna Fly’ extended Lovegrove’s personal experiences into sublime new heights, with her musical journey coming full circle from growing up watching Archie Roach on TV to the pair performing ‘I’m Gonna Fly’ live in person together at Adelaide Fringe in 2015. “The first and last time I had the privilege of performing this song with Uncle Archie was in the Spiegeltent at the Adelaide Fringe when I had opened for him,” reveals Lovegrove. “I grew up watching Uncle Archie sing on TV. Having all of my family telling me how he was singing of the experiences our people have faced, I never would have thought that I would get to meet him let alone work/share space and stories and collaborate with him one day. Uncle Archie with the support of Aunty Ruby, to me, are to be considered one of our community’s most precious Story Tellers and Song Keepers. Their voices and music are timeless, and their stories will live on through all those that have had the privilege of hearing them.”
Fittingly released on the same day as the incredible new book Songs from the Kitchen Table, ‘I’m Gonna Fly’ continues the soaring and enduring legacy of Archie Roach and his craft, as well as the love of music he shared with his life partner and long-time musical collaborator Ruby Hunter. Featuring stunning illustrations, lyrics to over one hundred of Uncle Archie and Aunty Ruby’s songs, stories behind the compositions, artwork and beyond, Songs from the Kitchen Table was lovingly curated by Archie’s manager and friend Jill Shelton, with forewords also penned by the duo’s friends and musical collaborators, including Emma Donovan, Paul Kelly and Jack Latimore. A snapshot and a celebration of one of Australia’s greatest creative partnerships, Songs from the Kitchen Table also offers a testament to the ongoing power of plain-spoken truths.
A gifted singer-songwriter, mother, Aboriginal health worker and community advocate for First Nations People, Ellie Lovegrove has been sharing her stunning vocals with the world since the age of 10, first performing for her family and friends before inescapably capturing the hearts of Australia as a Top 12 finalist on Australia’s X Factor in 2013. Mentored and coached by international artist and producer RedFoo during her time on X Factor, Lovegrove went on to be the recipient of the New and Emerging Talent Award at the National Deadly Awards in 2013, and also won the Channel 9 Young Achiever of the Year Award, and the NAIDOC Youth of the Year Award for the SA Southeast. Over the years, Lovegrove has also connected and collaborated with the likes of Troy Cassar-Daley, Jessica Mauboy, Emma Donovan, Emily Wurramura and Paul Kelly, and has previously teamed up with hip hop artist Jimblah, which also saw her feature on two triple j Like A Version peformances. A popular and sought-after performer at First Nations corporate events in South Australia, Lovegrove recently featured on Tony Minniecon’s single ‘The Truth’ in 2021, a song for reconciliation written by Minniecon which was debuted live at the annual Reconciliation SA National Reconciliation Week Breakfast.
Armed with a remarkable vocal range, a passion for caring for community and a sonic warmth that permeates beyond her creations and unforgettably into your soul, Ellie Lovegrove is a breath of positivity on the Australian musical landscape, and her debut single alongside one of the all-time greats is a spectacular introduction into Lovegrove’s brand new creative chapter, as she concludes, “I am very excited to be releasing my very first single. I am deeply honoured that my first ever single will be one that I was able to collaborate with Uncle Archie on. It has great sentimental value to me and has been sitting in the archive for some time, so to be invited to share it in partnership with Uncle Archie’s song book is incredible.”