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DIDO The Perth connection


We love a local good news story. With a little help from a Perth-based songwriter, international UK-based artist Dido released her new album Still On My Mind in March, five years after her previous album, Girl Who Got Away. Perth-based Rob Agostini, and Denny Thakrar, who lives in Mumbai, helped to write the first track off the new album, a powerful ballad, entitled Give You Up. In May, Dido is embarking on her first worldwide tour after 15 years to showcase the new album.

Give You Up is edging closer to the top 10 of the Adult Contemporary Billboard Chart and the lyrics boast edgy confidence as she sings in the chorus: “I found a way to let you go/ It’s gonna rip your heart out.”

The song shimmers with brutal honesty about finding the strength to move on after heartbreak and seems almost a follow-up of her 2004 hit, White Flag, in which she sings about the emotional devastation after the breakdown of a relationship. Dido’s lyrics have always been relatable, edgy and authentic – surprisingly juxtaposed with her melodic, ethereal and lilting Celtic-tinged voice, and this has been a huge part of her timeless appeal. Give You Up continues to build on her brand of relatable adult contemporary pop, and may even win her a Grammy, thanks to Agostini and Thakrar.

“Dido is a long-established artist with a solid fan base. Considering the response so far, we are predicting big things. It’s received a lot of international coverage. It’s too early to see how it’s charting, but given Dido’s global appeal obviously we’d love to see it win a Grammy,” Agostini and Thakrar commented.

After working in the music industry together for more than 10 years, the songwriters were presented with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to write for Dido, by their US-based manager. The track was written four years ago in collaboration with UK-based songwriters, Si Hubert and Dee Adam, and involved numerous trips to London over a year.

Agostini is well-respected in the local Perth music scene as one of Perth’s best producers, running Soundbaker Studios. Thakrar currently resides in Mumbai and writes songs for Bollywood productions. After such outstanding results, the songwriting duo plan to continue to connect with artists and labels in the UK.

Still On My Mind is out now.

 

 

 

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