Today, rising singer-songwriter Tish Melton, releases her debut EP, When We’re Older, into the world. The 5-track EP is a stunning introduction into the 18-year-old singer-songwriter’s razor sharp writing and storytelling, and was produced by nine-time GRAMMY Award-winning artist Brandi Carlile, who is a mentor to Tish.
Released alongside the EP is a stunning, cinematic music video for lead single “Sober,” directed by Gus Black (Phoebe Bridgers, Lizzy McAlpine). The EP finishes with “Sober,” an emotional, extended rock-out ode to her friends and a wish to stay clear-eyed to keep their memories intact as they prepare for adulthood. Melton’s vocals soar with lush harmonies over strumming guitar, punctuating piano and propulsive percussion.
“When I listen to this song, I think about sleepovers and dinners and late-night conversations – I think about the experiences that I still remember vividly and that made me who I am. The speaking at the end is me introducing myself to the world through a poem, and Brandi responding with lyrics from one of her favorite musicians – you can figure that out if you’d like.”
When We’re Older features 5 tracks, each dissecting a slice of teenagehood. From unpacking the nostalgia of being a kid, and the fear of what’s to come on cathartic, crescendoing “Long Drive,” which features Carlile on vocals, to an ode to her friends on the extended rock-out “Sober” (which features Tish and Brandi reading aloud lyrics from Joni Mitchell and Leonard Cohen) to the angsty, petty kiss-off track “The Chase” to understanding hurt and unrequited love/friendship on “Michelle” and “Damage.”
When Tish was 16, she played an acoustic set at LA’s famed venue the Troubadour (where Joni Mitchell, Elton John and Carole King have all performed). Her performance was bookended by 5-person noisy bands, and she was nervous to go up on stage, alone with just her guitar. Her set hushed the entire room. A video of that performance made its way to Brandi Carlile–via legendary producer Linda Perry–who instantly saw a familiar spark in Tish. Someone who was destined to sing her stories and could silence a room with them. Their musical chemistry is undeniable, rooted in mutual respect, shared taste, and an appreciation for good songwriting and musical catharsis.
Meanwhile, Tish had been making music in her bedroom for years. She got her first guitar at age 14 and spent the pandemic learning the songs of Taylor Swift and Lucy Dacus, whose clear-eyed storytelling and straightforward indie-rock sounds she admires. She started writing her own songs (and re-writing, and re-working). “As a songwriter, I’ve realized you can just tell stories,” she says. “They don’t have to be big, dramatic moments. Personally, I learned how to write songs by simply sharing my journey and feeling how I naturally do.”
Those songs made their way to Carlile whose suspicion was confirmed – this girl has it – and she offered to produce. Together, they recorded what would become the EP during sessions in Brandi’s Seattle studio and at Shangri-La Studios in Malibu.
Brandi Carlile says of Tish Melton, “Tish is so young and so brilliant. Like most lessons in life, I learned this one while I thought I was teaching it. We should guide youth in music but there’s no question that it should lead. My favorite thing was excitedly trying to explain that all the ‘new sounds’ Tish was into were actually the sounds of my city (Seattle) when I was exactly her age. A wonderful artist can plug you back into past parts of yourself you maybe should’ve stayed connected to?”
Tish Melton might be recognizable to some, featured in her mother Glennon Doyle’s book Untamed in a memorable moment and lesson about sensitivity as strength. As the daughter of Glennon Doyle and Abby Wambach and father Craig, she has the unique perspective of being raised by two formidable mothers, and having a thriving and creative network of gifted storytellers.
Brandi and Tish’s first recorded collaboration was in writing the theme song for her mothers’ podcast “We Can Do Hard Things.” Tish has previously joined Brandi onstage at Mothership Weekend in 2023 as a guest performer, has played the Troubadour, with live dates to be announced. Tish is currently performing at Brandi Carlile’s 5th Girls Just Wanna Weekend on January 18-21, 2024.
Track List:
1. The Chase
2. Michelle
3. The Long Drive (Featuring Brandi Carlile)
4. Damage
5. Sober