In 2017, Odette released a debut single that demanded attention. Watch Me Read You blended her soulful vocals with gentle piano and spoken word, breathing something special into the Australian music scene. Since then, the artist – real name Georgia Sallybanks – has released two Aria-nominated albums full of introspective meditations on relationships, struggle and the self.
This summer, she’s stepping on stage for something different – as “vocalist in residence” for the Gatsby at the Green Light, a cabaret variety show at the Sydney Opera House Studio.
Sallybanks took up the piano because of her grandfather who, along with her dad, taught her to play. Here, the Sydney-based musician tells us about the note from her grandfather she’ll never part with, as well as sharing the stories behind two other important belongings.
What I’d save from my house in a fire
I have a medium-sized wooden box carved with lovely pictures on it that is full of important things I’ve collected over time: my old passports and birth certificate; gifts from friends who I’ve lost and still love.
Most importantly, it has a morse code cheat sheet my granddad, who programmed the morse code machines during the second world war, wrote out for me before he died. I could count on my hands the number of times I saw him, because he lived in England, but he was one of my best friends. Written at the top of the sheet is: “I love you! Grandad George.” It is probably my most important possession.
My most useful object
My crochet hook – you can make almost anything with it.
I started crocheting during a mental health-related stay in hospital last year. When things felt especially tense with some of the other folks in there, we’d often go off to have a “stitch and bitch”. Believe it or not, some girls finished entire blankets in days because of those stitch and bitch sessions, and I think it was often just as effective at keeping the peace as the sedatives. (That’s a bad joke!)
I often think about the friends I made there and miss them. Some of them got married, some of them moved overseas, but all of us are still battling. I love them very much and hope that wherever they are, they’re OK – and have a nice warm blanket and a crochet hook somewhere nearby.
The item I most regret losing
Whenever I go on tour, I always go shopping at the local Vinnies. I love seeing what the knick-knack situation is from state to state. A while ago, when I was touring my album Herald, I stumbled upon the most glorious necklace. It was a chunky gold chain with a massive amber glass jewel. It was oversized and perfect.
I lost the necklace somewhere along the way and remember realising it was gone just before a show. It was pure horror. I’m sure someone somewhere out there found it and hopefully treasures it to this day. That being said, if that person stumbles across this article: please give my necklace back. I’ll dance for you. I would literally move my body and bones for that sweet jewel.
Odette appears in Gatsby at the Green Light, which runs at the Sydney Opera House Studio until 25 February 2024
