Sarah Belkner’s second album, THE APPLE reflects on the essence of creativity, life’s challenges, and the simplicity of being alive. Her lyrics emerged as heartfelt poems, composed in transient moments on planes and hotel rooms, later set to music when she found respite from her rigorous schedule. Inspired by her travels, she delves into what it means to be creative in a constantly evolving world. At its core, the album encourages self-commitment and reminds us that life is a fleeting gift. Sarah Belkner’s musical journey has garnered widespread acclaim, starting with her debut solo album, BUT YOU ARE, BUT IT HAS, released in 2017. The album was celebrated as Double J’s Album of the Week. The “Cellophane” music video premiered exclusively on Rolling Stone. At the same time, her song “Susanne” left an indelible mark in a pivotal scene of the hit series Offspring. In addition to her solo work, Sarah Belkner has established herself as a sought-after touring musician and musical director, collaborating with esteemed artists such as Missy Higgins, Tim Minchin, Neil Finn, Sarah Blasko, OLYMPIA and NGAIIRE Belkner’s remarkable talents extend to production as well. She produced Missy Higgins’ single “Carry You,” written by Tim Minchin for the acclaimed series “Upright.” Furthermore, she co-wrote and produced Brendan Maclean’s debut album, “And The Boyfriends” (2019), which reached #2 on the iTunes chart. She lent her production expertise to Leah Flanagan’s album, “Colour By Number” (2020), which scored Double J’s Album of the Week.
‘The musicianship throughout is astounding, but never thrust in your face. It’s mature, timeless pop that nails those vital core elements.’ - Double J ‘Belkner emerges as a singular artist’ - Rolling Stone ‘Assured, fragile, tender, sexy’ - Melbourne Age
Her new album THE APPLE was recorded back in 2020 and then left to sit for a variety of reasons, it was a year that brought profound changes for Belkner. During this time, she became pregnant with her daughter Juno, witnessed her father-in-law’s cancer diagnosis and subsequent passing, and then also endured her sister-in-law’s battle and loss with cancer. During these personal trials, she navigated touring with a newborn during the pandemic. However, this tumultuous period unintentionally resulted in a poignant time capsule that captured life’s essence before everything
changed, offering a sense of simplicity and hopefulness. The recurring symbolism of the apple, present throughout history, religion, and popular culture, intrigued Belkner. She felt the profound meaning behind this simple fruit and how it represents complex concepts matched how the album’s surface simplicity belies its deep exploration of the human experience.