Sally Seltmann returns to Melbourne with a new album, Early Moon

When the song she co-wrote with Feist, 1234, became a worldwide hit in the late 2000s, Sally Seltmann’s life took some unexpected turns – including a stint living in LA to see if she’d hit more creative jackpots as a co-writer.

The decision to move to Silverlake in Los Angeles was prompted by work opportunities and a chance to live there while close friends were there too. But it was also a time that Seltmann discovered that, among the creative pursuits and excitement of it all, she was prioritising the work of others over her own. 

“This new career path felt very hit and miss,” says the singer who once had the stage name New Buffalo. “It was quite nerve-wracking, to be honest.

“You turn up to a writing session with people you’ve never met before and they’re talking to you like you’re their best friend and, from that, you make a full-on emotional piece of music that represents their life and feelings. 

“It’s a beautiful thing when it works, but sometimes I didn’t connect as well with people and that can be a little disheartening.

“It got me questioning why I was doing what I do.”

These days, Seltmann lives in Avalon, Sydney, with her husband Darren (The Avalanches) and their 13-year-old daughter Judy, who can belt out Lana Del Ray’s Venice Bitch on the harp and bring her mother to tears. 

She returns to Melbourne this week as part of an east-coast tour, and again in September as a part of the Melbourne Writers Festival. 

Her fifth studio album, Early Moon, is everything you’d expect from the singer-songwriter who leans on all shades of light and darkness with her harmonies and introspective lyrics.

She discusses female friendships in Please Louise and questions her life direction in Feel the Senses, while Nightbird is downbeat in sound but leans into optimism.

“I like writing emotional and raw songs because they touch people, and it’s nice to have that connection through music,” Seltmann says.

Early Moon was produced by Darren in their home studio.

“I was happy for him to be the producer again,” Seltmann says. “It was more about knowing when to give and take.

“I have already produced two New Buffalo albums by myself, so this time I learned how to collaborate better and let go of the decision making.”

She wrote a debut novel, Lovesome, in 2013 – around the same time she was diagnosed with bipolar II disorder. 

“I became quite unwell and until I was properly diagnosed it was a difficult time for me,” she says. “I had my suspicions I might have had it, but I hope that by saying I do can help others.”

She has fond memories of living in Melbourne for 13 years and recalls a sliding-door moment when buying an apartment in St Kilda East.  

“I’ll never forget Darren telling me he was going to wear his Ken Done jumper to the auction and have everyone there ask, who is this crazy guy?” she laughs.

Midway through the auction, I had a gut instinct and we pulled out of the bidding.

“That’s when a couple walked up to Darren because they liked his jumper. They told us they owned an apartment and offered to sell it to us privately. It was meant to be and yes, we bought it.”

SALLY SELTMANN \ Northcote Social Club, August 19 & Melbourne Writers Festival, September 10