Award-winning Australian singer-songwriter Melinda Schneider returned to her country music roots, delivering a powerful message in her new original single, ‘Open Up’, which was released on March 14.
‘Open Up’ has struck a chord with Apple Music, being added to NMD, New In Country, and Aussie Country on release.
‘Open Up’ has hit the AMRAP, 2TM, Country Radio Charts, Country Songs Top 40 Charts and the Australian Country Radio Top 10 and is on high rotation on Today’s Country 94One and is getting strong support from commercial and community radio and ABC.
The track, co-written with the late Karl Broadie, Nick Barker (and the Reptiles), and Michael Spiby (The Badloves), has been waiting in the wings for 18 years, finally finding its place as the first single from her upcoming album, ‘Tender’.
Originally written during a Mushroom songwriting retreat, ‘Open Up’ came about when Schneider, Broadie, Barker, and Spiby were thrown into a room together. The result is a edgy and hard-hitting song with grit, passion, and a message that remains just as relevant today as when it was first written.
“The song is about encouraging your partner to not be afraid to open up and trust you,” Melinda said.
“It’s a very female song, but it’s also something the guys I wrote it with really related to. We all get scared sometimes, no matter who we are, and the only way to build trust and connection is through honesty and communication; it’s a shortcut to intimacy.”
Melinda describes ‘Open Up’ as a song with strength and attitude—one that she hopes will encourage meaningful conversations.
“I’d love for people to hear this song and take it as a gentle nudge to communicate more openly with their partners,” she said.
“Maybe someone who needs to hear it will get the hint.”
The cover art features Melinda’s painting ‘Open Up’ from her exhibition titled, Tender, which featured paintings inspired by the names of each single from the album.
‘Open Up’ marks the beginning of a new chapter with ‘Tender’, an album exploring the many shades of vulnerability, love, and human connection.
Featuring a mix of deeply personal songs and powerful duets with special guests, the album brings together a lineup of musicians from the cream of Australian music, including producer Rod McCormack (multi-instrumentalist), Ian Lees (bass), Rod Motbey (guitars), Clayton Doley (Hammond and keys), and drummers Pete Drummond and Glenn Wilson.
“I’ve always believed that vulnerability in songwriting has the power to heal and connect us” Melinda said.
“This album reflects that in so many ways.”
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