Nashville-based singer/songwriter, Zoe Butler, has had a rather busy year so far. With three successful singles already under her belt, the musician has just released her fourth with ‘Last I Heard’. Instrumentally, Butler veers from her Americana and folk roots to produce a soft indie-rock tune that will undoubtedly appeal to a wide audience. Lyrically, however, she stays on course, serving up a deeply personal song that explores memory, trauma, and ultimately, healing. “Last I heard he was on a bridge, and his friends all said I was water under it”.
Drawing on influence from the likes of Lucy Dacus, Phoebe Bridgers, and Holy Humberstone, Zoe Butler has done what is vital in order to make it. She’s manufactured a sound that is uniquely hers. It’s a sound that we at Indie Top 39 can’t wait to hear more of when her upcoming debut EP finally gets released.
‘Last I Heard’ shows a rockier side of Butler. It also shows that she can comfortably mix it up with the best!
INDIE TOP 39
What does the song mean to you?
This is a song about reconciling the ways that violence harms both the survivor and the perpetrator. At its core, this is an anthem to the process of healing.
What inspired you to share the song with the world?
I never planned on releasing this song. I usually write Americana folk songs and this is definitely not a folk song. This song is about healing from trauma and I didn’t think other people would resonate with it. My producer Mike Fahey was the one who suggested I release this song. He truly worked his magic on this song to make it what it is.
What are your favourite lyrics in the song?
“I’ll be a ghost to the girl he marries.” This lyric speaks to the way in which our traumas not only follow us but also the people around us.
What would your life be like without music?
Music is a way for me to heal. Most of my music is about my two friends who took their own lives when I was 18. My upcoming EP is dedicated to them. Writing music has always been a way for me to process trauma.
Make sure to connect with Zoe Butler on Instagram » Facebook
Now you can listen to all the 39 songs in one place, right here on Spotify!
