Katy Steele Releases Stripped-Back EP Undressed and Embarks on National Tour

Australian musician Katy Steele has released a new EP, Undressed, and begun a national tour. The project features minimalist recordings, including cover songs and reinterpretations of her past work with the band Little Birdy and as a solo artist.

EP Release and Content

Undressed was released on April 24. The EP's tracklist is a collection of ten songs:

Four cover songs: "There Is A Light That Never Goes Out" (The Smiths), "Perfect Day" (Lou Reed), "Ben" (Michael Jackson), and "Because The Night" (Patti Smith).
Three reinterpretations of Little Birdy songs: "Beautiful To Me," "Relapse," and "Stay Wild."
Two reinterpretations of songs from Steele's solo catalogue.
One previously unreleased original song written by Steele several years ago.

Recording Process and Style

In statements provided to media, Steele described the recording process as spontaneous and enjoyable. She characterized the EP's sound as raw, noting that some tracks feature only piano, vocals, and harmonies.

Steele stated that working in this minimalist style felt "liberating."

Background and Context

Steele was the lead singer of the band Little Birdy, which formed when she was 18. The band's 2003 single "Relapse" was its first song played on national radio station triple j and charted on the ARIA charts.

In 2023, Little Birdy performed its 2004 album BigBigLove in full at several shows. Steele stated this marked the first time the band had performed together in approximately 15 years. She indicated that revisiting this material prompted consideration of re-recording classic tracks in a stripped-back style, which led to the Undressed EP.

Reflecting on early Little Birdy recordings, Steele noted the difference in her voice, stating, "I sound like a woman now."

Future Plans for Little Birdy

When asked about future activity with Little Birdy, Steele stated that the band members live in three different states, making collaboration logistically challenging. She confirmed there are plans to develop new music but emphasized a focus on quality.

Steele said the band is "taking our time but, in the background, we are preparing." She stated she is currently focusing on her solo work.

Australian Tour

Katy Steele has begun an Australian tour in support of the EP. The tour schedule is as follows:

Hobart – April 23
Adelaide – Date specified in sources
Melbourne – Date specified in sources
Brisbane – Date specified in sources
Sydney – Date specified in sources
Canberra – Date specified in sources
Perth – Date specified in sources

The interview statements referenced in multiple reports were conducted by Dylan Lewis for Double J.