Naarm/Melbourne R&B trailblazer CD today unveils her debut EP, Blue Violet. LISTEN HERE.

Blue Violet is an open-hearted soundscape. Built on emotional intelligence, it tugs at the heartstrings and speaks to sentiments of relationship patterns, figuring out communication grey areas, body image and self-empowerment, all finessed through deeper inspirations that capture CD’s intent to make every track feel as though it’s been drawn straight from her mind. “The EP as a whole goes through my many R&B modes – with each song sounding completely different to the one before it. But what I feel ties these songs together, is that when I hear them, I hear them in colour. They have the same essence that can’t really be described in words – it’s more something you can feel. They’re all a part of the same world and ‘Blue Violet’ feels reflective of that” she shares.

“Purple was also my first favourite colour as a child which I only rediscovered about 2 years ago. It feels intuitive and reflective to name my first body of work after it as I’ve felt pretty represented by this colour throughout the process of finishing the project over the last few years. These songs are reminiscent of the music I grew up on, each in their own unique way, and I think the perfect introduction to my music and me is to show people my roots.”

Blue Violet is all about bringing the warm nostalgia of female-led 90’s R&B into a 21st Century soundscape. Joining the electronically-tinged ‘Ish You’ (prod. Gabriel LCR), the honeyed ‘Love Language’ (prod. Sam Varghese and Jay Cooper) and sultry ‘Catcha Grip’ with PANIA (prod. Sollyy) are three brand new tracks, each contributing to her intuitive approach to songwriting that has been crafted over the past three years.

Produced by Naarm-based multi-instrumentalist Nikodimos, EP opener ‘Purple Sun’ invites us in, diving headfirst into a dream-like atmosphere set by CD herself. “This intro feels like an ascension into a dreamy world” says CD. “Nikodimos, one of my long-time friends in music, really understood the assignment here. Through the use of synths and cosmic sounds to help elevate the spirit and the mind of the listener, it’s almost as if the song is beaming through your body”. Revelling in the wider culture of sexuality, ‘S.S’ is a liberating, trap-inspired anthem featuring Eora-based R&B songstress Ms. Thandi with production from Jimmy Pistachio and Sam Varghese, of which CD shares – “I hope this one makes you feel sexy!”.

Rounding out the six-track project is focus track ‘Inked In’, which marks CD’s first time working with collaborator Sam Varghese and dates back to early lockdown-era. It’s here that she makes her total subject matter clear through an embrace of early and current R&B influences, sharing that “This is another playful track that I had a lot of fun writing. It’s a play on words and a nod to some of my earliest influences like Michael Jackson, as well as some of my more recent influences like Don Toliver. I wanted to end the EP with the idea of being “inked in,” like a tattoo, unable to be removed/forgotten – really being solidified after this first little body of work.”

Hailing from Naarm/Melbourne’s Western suburbs, CD’s evolved palette that touches on influences of jazz, neo-soul and hip-hop has left many enamoured by a sound that’s of her own kind. As an established and in-demand vocalist, songwriter, and collaborator, CD’s musical candour has served her on anthems with Gold Fang, Nikodimos, Ray OTW and others, alongside her role as a key member of underground Melbourne music collective Picked Last. On the live show front, she recently supported Erika de Casier on the Eora/Sydney leg of her Australian tour, asserting her position as Australia’s most compelling new acts.