Interview: Ally Palmer on Grief, Growth, and the Power of Water in Her Debut Album

With Take Me To The Water, Byron Bay-based singer-songwriter Ally Palmer delivers an album steeped in vulnerability, renewal, and emotional honesty. Across its genre-spanning tracks, Ally draws from personal experience and her deep connection to nature — particularly water — to craft a record that feels both intimate and expansive. We caught up with Ally to talk about the emotional heart of the album, the story behind its standout collaborations, and what it means to launch this body of work back home.
“Take Me To The Water” is such a raw and moving title track. Can you take us back to the moment of writing it?
That song came from a place of intense loss and shock. It was a really heavy writing process because I was pulling from real, personal experiences — I’d lost someone very special to me, and writing it became a way of releasing some of that pain. I knew early on that this track needed to lead the album. It sums up the overall message of the record so clearly — letting go, healing, and finding peace.
You made an interesting choice to split the song and its outro into two separate pieces. Why was that important?
During production, it became clear the outro had such a different energy to the rest of the song. The title track felt powerful on its own, and the outro worked better as its own moment. It’s like a deep exhale — a release after carrying so much emotional weight. That shift in tone almost represents a sense of relief or calm after the storm.
The album moves between soul, folk, and even touches of jazz. How did you approach blending such a diverse palette of sounds?
I really focused on creating a natural flow — something that feels good to listen to from start to finish. The record starts off quite soul-heavy, then gradually leans into a more folky sound. That transition felt organic to me, and reflects my own musical influences and the emotions I was moving through while writing.
One of the standout moments is “Let The River,” a collaboration with Dusty Boots. What brought you two together, and what’s the story behind that song?
We’ve been collaborating on each other’s music for a few years now. When we got together for some writing sessions, we ended up writing a song inspired by our local river. Both of us are really connected to nature — especially water and the ocean. The river is a place we go to for peace, for inspiration, for grounding. That shared connection really shaped the song and gave it this spiritual depth.
“A Change Is Coming Soon” moves from despair to hope. Did that emotional arc come naturally, or was it influenced by what was happening in the world?
It happened quite naturally. I started writing it on acoustic guitar and from the beginning, I could hear the full arrangement in my head. It begins in a place of disillusionment — losing faith in humanity — but I really wanted it to build into something more hopeful. That sense of wanting change, of believing in something better, is a big part of the record.
You don’t shy away from themes of grief and personal loss on this album. Was there a particular song that felt healing to write?
Yes, Never Stop Loving You was especially meaningful. I wrote it just after my grandmother passed away. Her loss was still so fresh, and writing the song was a way for me to process that. It was tough, but also really beautiful — a way to honour her memory and find a bit of peace in the process.
You’ve mentioned being inspired by artists like Norah Jones and Leon Bridges. What draws you to them, and how do you feel their influence shows up in your music?
What I love about those artists is how honest and authentic their songwriting is. Their music feels like a true reflection of who they are. With this album, I really wanted to do the same — to show a more vulnerable side in my lyrics and make music that feels like my true self. I wasn’t trying to fit into a particular genre — I just wanted it to feel real.
And finally, you’re launching the album with a hometown show in Byron Bay. What does that moment mean to you?
Byron has such a rich creative energy. Being surrounded by so many artists here has helped me grow — not just creatively, but personally. It’s helped me become more open, more vulnerable in my songwriting. I feel so excited to be sharing this album and this new sound with the world, and it means a lot to be starting that journey right here at home.

To celebrate the release, Ally will launch the album with a special, free hometown show at Electric Mermaid Barbershop in Brunswick Heads on Friday, July 19.