Melbourne-based Aotearoa/NZ songwriter Skyscraper Stan is back with a brand new single, his first release since the 2020 single ‘Words Like Repression’.

‘21st Century Lullaby‘ is a beautifully rendered baroque folk ode to a new family member, draped in melancholic strings courtesy of a string quartet comprised of members of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and delivered in Stan’s heartfelt and sonorous and resonant tones – part Callahan, part Nick Drake.

The song is about an uncertain future, questioning what it means to bring new life into the world today and the associated responsibilities that we, the living, have.

Skyscraper Stan penned the song for his niece; the first grandchild to arrive in his nuclear family – born during a time of pandemics, wars, faltering ecology and accelerating artificial intelligence. The song was recorded live in one take – strings and all – at the Rat Shack in Collingwood, Melbourne.

The haunting, perfectly matched music video, was generated using AI. “I was hesitant at first,” says Stan about producing the clip. “I think those of us who work in the arts were complacent about artificial intelligences. We thought human creativity was untouchable. Turns out we’re one of the first industries to be impacted…”

“There is something poetic about an AI generated video for a song about an uncertain future.”

Stan is launching the new single with a run of dates across VIC, NSW and SA.

09/06 – The Eastern – Ballarat / Wadawurrung 
10/06 – The Golden Wattle – AdelaIde / Kaurna 
11/06 – Three Brothers Arms – Macclesfield / Peramangk  
18/06 – Petersham BowlIng Club – Sydney / Gadigal 
23/06 – Odessa – Creswick / Wadawurrung
24/06 – Tanswells – Beechworth / Dhuduroa-Waywurru
25/06 – The Gem – Melbourne / Wurundjeri