XANI reveals collaborative single ‘You Make Me Complete’
“Xani is the first musician I think of when needing a collaborator. She has a deft, romantic touch that can transform into thrilling chaos on the turn of a heel.” – Tim Rogers
“Of all the countless violinists I’ve played with over the years, Xani stands out as one of the greatest. She’s got that rare thing called soul.” – Jens Lekman
"Xani has raised her bow, and raised the bar, yet again.” – Clare Bowditch
Melbourne-based violinist and singer songwriter XANI reveals her latest dreamy folk-pop ballad ‘You Make Me Complete’. Following her recent anniversary EP Depths, which marked a year since her debut album From the Bottom of the Well was unearthed, ‘You Make Me Complete’ presents a new exercise in experimentation and improvisation, birthed from the innovative artist’s recent creative live-streams. To celebrate the new offering, XANI is excited to announce that she has signed with Amy Laidlaw at i hear django agency for bookings joining the likes of Above The Bit, Nigel Wearne and The Maes. Xani will be launching the single with a live show presented by the agency at Melbourne’s Bar 303 on Sunday 28 November.
Out today via CD Baby, ‘You Make Me Complete’ is the third tantalising taste of a series of experimental singles XANI has been cultivating throughout lockdown. Earlier this year, the visionary violinist embarked on a one-of-a-kind project announcing her upcoming single releases through real-time creative sessions on Twitch, kicking off every Sunday across three months. In an attempt to completely flip the current release model on its head, XANI invited her loyal followers and supporters to join her on an exciting journey fuelled by audience interaction and improvisation to cooperatively create three new singles inspired by various themes and influences.
Utilising live loops, grooves and effects with DIY writing tactics, XANI built single ideas from the ground up with listeners invited to provide live feedback and stream-of-consciousness suggestions, in a fruitful exploration of raw conceptualisation and collaboration. For the final month of this project, XANI pursued writing and creating the perfect love song as part of the chosen theme, ‘VOWS’. XANI used mandolin and violin to come up with the initial improvised takes, before shaping and moulding them into fully fledged heart-throbs. ‘You Make Me Complete’ was voted the clear audience favourite and is XANI’s final offering to be shared from the fruitful creative process.
“This song actually ended up being quite personal. Spending so many months locked down with my fiancé, Cristian was a true test of our relationship. Through all the ups and downs, we became a team, ebbing and flowing through each other's anxieties and helplessness, but also sharing in the gift of time to spend together. Despite the best of plans, we still haven't had our wedding. That's why this song is so special. It's a song I wrote about us, and then I got Cristian to play on it with me.” – XANI
Despite receiving little government support or financial assistance throughout 2020, XANI remained staunchly active with her music-making. She live streamed on Twitch twice a week for nine months and performed online for a global audience. She was a winner of the Goffin and King Iso Competition, a recipient of two Creative Victoria grants, a winner of the Inverse VR Backer’s Fund and a Round 2 candidate for the APRA Professional Development Awards. Most recently, Xani was a shortlisted candidate for Music Victoria’s coveted Outstanding Woman in Music Award at their annual Industry Awards and was a finalist in the 2021 Folk Music Awards for Best Contemporary Folk Album.
Be sure to join the acclaimed Melbourne creative when XANI takes to the stage in her first IRL performance in over a year to launch ‘You Make Me Complete’ and share fellow cuts from her recent creative project on Sunday 28 November at Bar 303, Northcote.
‘You Make Me Complete’ Single launch
“I hear django presents XANI”
Sunday 28 November
303, High St Northcote
5.00pm AEDT
Tickets via Trybooking
‘You Make Me Complete’ is out now via CD Baby
XANI Linktree
‘You Make Me Complete’ Credits
Recorded by Xani Kolac
Mixed and Mastered by Isaac Barter
Violin, vocals - Xani Kolac
Guitars - Cristian Barbieri
Bass - Isaac Barter
Cover art by Meg Kolac
This project is supported by Creative Victoria.
