At the age of 19, Tasmanian-based artist Medhanit has just released her debut single Her.

Born in the African country of Ethiopia and adopted at the age of 6 months, Medhanit grew up around music.

“It feels like it was inevitable; as a baby, I would nap in the sound room at my Dads music store, so I like to think that had something to do with my passion for music now”.

Medhanit’s writing now explores provocative themes such as cultural and racial matters, drawing inspiration from her own and others’ social experiences. But, most of all, Medhanit is fascinated with the human condition. Feelings of both broken and divine love, crippling jealousy, conflict and peace; how we emotionally evolve.

Growing up performing and writing acoustically, Medhanit decided to move into the world of production so her songs could exist in a bigger sonic space.

Medhanit speaks of the story and inspiration behind the single,

“Her is a tale of quiet but fierce desperation, craving somebody’s affection so much that you’re willing to surrender your physical and emotional self to their diminishing attention span. Comparison, ruthless jealousy and vulnerability, Her is looking for healing at the hands of the one who hurt you. I don’t personally know what it’s like to have the amount of love I receive in a relationship be determined by my partner’s alcohol intake, but I do know what it feels to forget how to breathe while a love that feels vital becomes circumstantial. Her is a story of frantic fragility”.

Medhanit will be bringing this song and more, due for future release, to the live stage at Mona Foma, Party In The Paddock, Taste of Tasmania and more over summer.

She chatted to Graeme Watson about her career so far, wiring music and getting out in front of audiences to perform live.

Take a listen to the chat.