
Kathleen Halloran effortlessly closes the 20 feet between her storied career as a sought-after ensemble guitarist, and an exciting new solo chapter, today sharing her debut single, Free With Me – a self-assured and wide open declaration of liberty, channelled through Halloranâs expert feel for guitar-driven pop-rock.
If she seems a dab hand, itâs because sheâs got the experience to back it up. âI am very excited about this song and what it says about my life as an artist,â she says. âI couldnât be happier to be finally releasing something of my own into the universe after a few special years on the road, soaking up inspiration from some powerhouse artists.â
âPowerhouseâ is right; Halloran has performed with the likes of Kate Ceberano, Katie Noonan, Felix Riebl (The Cat Empire), Ash Grunwald and Tania Doko to name a few. Her talents as a session musician have seen her guitar-playing feature on countless recordings, in orchestra pits for many musical theatre productions, and on major festival stages all around the country.
Free With Me displays the artistâs easy grace at the mic and on her instrument, and includes a stunning guitar solo which sees her fly across her Fenderâs fretboard before assuring listeners sheâs no âcollectible, delectable memento,â but rather an emancipated spirit who wonât be pigeonholed.
âThe song is for all those people, like myself, who have a strong resistance to being put in a box, and those who donât come with a manual!â she explains. âIt draws from past experience of being perceived as âtoo much of thisâ or âtoo little of thatâ, which I believe is a pressing struggle for ambitious, passionate people in this current climate. The over-arching message of the song is inner and outer freedom: to be proudly comfortable with who you are and to quit having to prove yourself or try too hard to meet other peopleâs perceptions, views or limitations. Just simply to be you!â
Produced by Ross Irwin (The Cat Empire, The Bamboos, Paul Kelly), engineered and mixed by Ben Edgar (Gotye, Angus and Julia Stone, Matt Corby) and mastered by Lachlan Carrick, Free With Me is accompanied by a video which makes Halloranâs performance prowess clear. âThe video clip is my band and I performing Free With Me in my most favourite local cafe/restaurant, âSorsi E Morsiâ in St Kilda!â she says.

âTo say I love my local is an understatement. I am there every day I am home, and in spending so much time on the road, itâs actually one of the most grounding and calming routines I have when I get home from the busy-ness of tour! The idea came to me one night while I was enjoying a meal with some friends there. I really wanted to capture the local spirit and vibe that is a big part of my life, and also wanted to do something a little outside of the box! I love the idea of a world where we are engaged in our local communities, know each otherâs coffee orders and share a friendly smile and wave in the street.â
The chance to see Halloran perform Free With Me is just around the corner, and the artist has some treats in store for attendees of these single-launching dates. âThey can expect lots of epic guitar moments (drawing inspiration from some of the greats like SRV and Van Halen) in and around my new material, and a few covers as a tip of the hat to some idols,â she says. âI am so excited about the live band Iâve assembled, so audiences can definitely expect some pretty wild, âoff tapâ jams as well!â
âI love being on the road,â she adds. âTo me, making music and living life are the same thing.â
Donât miss your chance to see Kathleen Halloran live for the launch dates of Free With Me, which announces Halloran as an inimitable and absolutely undeniable solo talent.
Free With Me is out now.
KATHLEEN HALLORAN â UPCOMING SHOWS:
THU 5 DEC | THE TROCADERO ROOM, SYDNEY NSW
Tickets available from Moshtix
https://moshtix.com.au/v2/event/kathleen-halloran-free-with-me-single-launch/173543
WED 11 DEC | THE GASOMETER HOTEL, MELBOURNE VIC
Tickets available from Oztix
https://gasometer.oztix.com.au/outlet/event/86410132-3105-4707-940f-31770ab56f35