Tamworth musician Ashleigh Dallas releases new single 'Couldn't Keep Up' about loss and grief, taking on new meaning in COVID-19

Tamworth's Ashleigh Dallas wrote her new single Couldn't Keep Up during what she described as a "therapy session" when an out of body experience overtook her in the night during a tough time, and the words flowed out.

"Life is too short and too precious, and life is too short to live in a way we don't feel happy," she told the Leader.

The lyrics were born out of heartbreak for the musician, who said a loss last year hit her hard.

"If we leave things unsaid, it makes the grief process for us left on the other end harder," she said.

"I hope that if there's someone out there going through grief, or hasn't been able to say goodbye, I hope they feel like someone else is out there and understanding."

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She said the vulnerable new song could take on a new meaning in the era of COVID-19, when lockdowns might make it harder for people to stay connected to friends and family.

"Distance at the moment is something we're all living with, we're not able to catch up, and if this [song] makes you think of somebody or reflect on a friendship ... it may be time to resolve it," she said.

Dallas said Couldn't Keep Up was also designed to start the conversation around mental health and remind listeners that even though medicine has come so far, there are areas we're lagging behind.

"If you're struggling at these times, reach out, admit it," she said.

She also said taking the time to really listen to people was important.

The new single has been released on platforms and will be part of Dallas' upcoming album.

A fresh song release has also been promised on September 20, an upbeat feel-good track called Lottery.

Dallas and her dad have been working on what will be her fifth album, slated for release next year, at the home studio in Tamworth for the past 18 months.

Although lockdowns have kept them apart, Dallas said she's excited for the album.

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