In a dusty corner of a Sydneyside garage, a forgotten two‑inch tape was recently unveiled by drummer Charley Drayton, who had kept it safe after a 1998 studio session with the late rock star Chrissy Amphlett.
The tape, discovered in 2023, contains three songs that have been lost for over a decade. Their recovery offers a living reminder of how archival treasures—whether carved stone, oral histories, or recordings—can return to the community to inspire and educate new listeners.
Amphlett, the charismatic frontwoman of the band Divinyls, was celebrated for hits like "I Touch Myself" and "Pleasure & Pain". The newly found tracks, set to be released under the EP title Some Times, showcase her distinctive husky voice and her collaborative synergy with New Zealander Tim Finn, the former lead singer of Split Enz.
Finn recalls meeting Amphlett in 1998 in Sydney, noting they felt an instant bond as ex‑leaders of pioneering bands. The trio recorded over several days, with Drayton on drums, producing music that reflected Amphlett’s persistent sense of focus and artistic desire.
For many Indigenous cultures, music is a vessel of story and identity—an oral tradition whose preservation is paramount. The rediscovery and upcoming release of Amphlett’s songs echo that guardian role, reminding us of the power of archived voices to connect present audiences with the past.
By bringing these lost tracks into the public ear, the contributors honor Amphlett’s creative legacy and highlight the broader significance of preserving cultural heritage, ensuring that the music, like ancient songs and histories, continues to resonate through time.
