Canisha, another artist from Melbourne music scene, sings passionately, yet professionally. Following in the footsteps of Adele and Harry Styles she has created her own niche for this genre where pop music can be emotional and storytelling at the same time.
Her new song entitled “Save You From Yourself” is all about the domain of mental health and substance dependence and what it is like to remain as a spectator. The track further establishes Canisha’s ability to turn private suffering into public empathy; a talent that is making her famous across borders much as she grows popular domestically.
With help from acclaimed producers Anthony Liddell and Jake Amy, Canisha took the song from stripped back acoustic beginnings and molded it into a slick electronic production that still retains a lot of live instrumentation. Featuring Melbourne soul artist Bumpy injects the track with both additional meaning, and even more, a personal touch creates the song’s narrative and takes it to another level. Canisha reveals the process of creating this powerful music and shares the story behind those songs rooted in her own life experience.
Listen to Save You From Yourself below
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Congratulations on “Save You From Yourself”! What sparked this song’s concept and message?
I had someone close to me who was struggling with their mental health and turning to alcohol to cope. I was too scared to tell them I was fearing for their safety, so I wrote a song about it as an outlet. I never intended for anyone to ever hear the song, I wrote it for me and for them.
How does this single fit into your artistic journey and musical evolution?
It had been a while since I wrote a powerful ballad like this, I had been releasing a lot of pop songs. I don’t want to be stuck in a box of just releasing cheesy pop love songs. This song showcases my vulnerability and my powerful vocals.
What emotions or experiences do you hope listeners take away from this song?
I want to promote talking about mental health, seeking help and support for mental health and checking in on your loved ones to let them know they are not alone.
Can you elaborate on the theme of self-salvation in “Save You From Yourself”?
Those with addictions and mental health can only be helped by others so much, they need to want it for themselves. But encouragement and support from those around you is so important for self motivation.
What personal experiences or observations inspired the lyrics?
The loved one that this song is about had a history of suicide attempts. I lived with the trauma of that for a long time. There was a time during COVID that I couldn’t get in contact with this person, so immediately my mind thought the worst. I went to their house and I kept knocking on the door but no answer. Eventually I managed to find a way into the house and found them in bed passed out after a night of drinking. Relief and anger came over me, relieved that they were ok, but angry because they had been drinking while I was scared for their life. I wanted them to know how I felt, but the conversation was too hard to have, so I wrote this song.
How do you envision the song impacting fans struggling with self-doubt or inner turmoil?
I want everyone to know they are not alone, that it’s okay to need help. I want them to want to help themselves, they need to want to help themselves. Because their struggles impact those around them as well.
Which artists, genres or albums influenced “Save You From Yourself”?
Adele has always been a major influencer for me and my music. I grew up listening and belting out the words to ‘someone like you’ and ‘rolling in the deep’. When I started busking, I loved singing Adele songs. I felt like you could always feel the emotion and power in her songs and I want to write like that.
Adeles bridges are what really get me and I knew I wanted a powerful bridge like her songs.
I was lucky enough to write this song alongside Bumpy – soul artists from Melbourne. I remember seeing Bumpy for the first time at Sidney Myer Music Bowl and there was instant adoration. I cried when I found out I was going to work with her. Bumpy helped me with my vocals and bought so much more power out of me.
Can you walk us through your songwriting process for this track?
So I wrote this song in about 30 minutes during an online songwriting course. That week the topic was drink. I used a youtube piano track to sing along to.
I then took this song with me to the singing our futures program writing camp, where I was paired up with Bumpy and producer Anthony Liddell. I showed them the song and they helped me bring it to life.
I sat there with Bumpy at the grand piano and we figured out the chords and developed them further.
We wanted to bring a darkness to the song, and anthony did that with his amazing production skills. (check out verse 2)
How did you balance vulnerability with musicality in this song?
With each lyric, I thought about the moment those lyrics are describing and thought about the emotion.
I emphasised certain lyrics with powerful vocals so the message of the lyrics was louder.
Will “Save You From Yourself” be part of an upcoming album or EP?
I released my first EP in Jan 2024 and I’m excited to let you guys be the first to know that I am working on my debut album which will be produced by myself, along with Candice Lorrae.
Save you from yourself is a stand alone single
How do you maintain creative motivation and inspiration?
Just keep on writing and moving onto the next thing. Don’t stew too long on one track when it doesn’t come out like I want it to. Don’t think about what others want, I need to focus on what I want people to hear.
Its easy to fall into the trap of trying to recreate what’s trending, but you gotta stick to what you want to do.
What message would you like to share with listeners worldwide?
It’s ok to not be ok. Even if you’re not alright right now, you will be alright eventually. Check in on your loved ones and reach out for help when you need support.
How does “Save You From Yourself” reflect your personal growth?
I wrote this song from scratch by myself, whereas in the past I struggled to write without a track from the producer first. I am growing as a songwriter.
What impact do you envision this song having on your discography?
It shows that I am capable of different styles of music, that I can be real and vulnerable or fun and cheesy. You don’t have to stick to one genre/style.
I am a real person who has struggles. Everyone has their struggles and things aren’t always what they appear to be on the outside.
I want to decrease the stigma around mental health and addiction. Addiction is an illness and they need help and support.
Addiction and mental health impact those around the individual as well.
