This Album Changed My Life: Siobhan Cotchin on Bruce Springsteen’s Darkness on the Edge of Town

Alt-country singer-songwriter, Siobhan Cotchin has released Highways and Heartbreaks today. The 5-track debut EP transports the listener to another time and place – travelling through the depths of heartbreak, isolation and a longing for escape. 

With the influence of contemporaries like Orville Peck and Bruce Springsteen-esque storytelling, she creates a neo-western landscape that is completely and refreshingly her own.

Last year, Siobhan became one of Australia's favourite new artists, winning over hearts with her debut single Tear Myself Apart and trifecta of much talked about tracks Do You Know What I Mean?, Just The Way It Is and The Fair-Weather Friend Blues. 

Her heart-hitting songwriting earned her a nomination for ‘WAM Song of the Year’,  a spot in triple j Unearthed Top 10 best discoveries of 2020. As well as the Fairbridge & Nannup Music Festival's Emerging Artist Awards, ‘WAM’s Best Country Act’ and a nomination for ‘Best Blues/Roots Act’ and ‘Most Popular New Act’ for 2021.

We caught up with Siobhan and asked her to tell us about an album that changed her life.

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Siobhan Cotchin on Bruce Springsteen’s Darkness on the Edge of Town:

"Darkness on the Edge of Town is such an important album to me because it appeared at a very important time in my life and helped me further understand the reasons why I love songwriting. Springsteen is one of my favourite songwriters of all time and I think this record perfectly captures his ability to take stories and experiences and turn it into music that is coming straight from his heart. 

The past few years have been difficult for everyone, and the music scene was hit really hard by COVID. Because we couldn’t go out, travel and play shows, I think most of us were feeling really restless and trapped. I think that Springsteen perfectly captures these feelings in his music, especially in Darkness on The Edge of Town. After reading his autobiography, I discovered that a lot of the things he writes about come from those around him, not his own experiences. I find that really interesting and inspiring. I love writing music that is super character driven and I think Springsteen is the master of that.  

This album depicts an honest and raw image of a small town and the people that occupy it. My favourite track would have to be Racing in the Street. Whilst I know absolutely nothing about cars, I really connect with this song, especially the line “she sits on the porch of her daddy's house, but all her pretty dreams are torn. She stares off alone into the night with the eyes of one who hates for just being born”. Ouch! That line gets me every time. I love the bleakness of this album but also the triumphant, hopeful moments such as The Promised Land. It has such light and shade and truly captures the essence of what it means to be human."

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For more of our This Album Changed My Life series, go here.
Keep up to date with Siobhan Cotchin on her Facebook page here.