STACK #201 Jul 2021

FEATURE MUSIC

Delta was given a Britney-esque makeover that was a far cry from her girl- next-door, innocent- ingénue image

singer – specifically for Delta. Through her role as Nina, Delta scored a Logie for Most Popular NewTalent at the 2003 Logie Awards. Following I Don’t Care ’s disappointing chart performance, Sony agreed to present Delta more authentically, as a piano balladeer. They then suggested she team up with Zimbabwean producer and singer-songwriter Audius Mtawarira, for some songwriting sessions.

anxious to get going, but I thought she was a little young.” He eventually

Top to bottom: Delta on the Neighbours set in 2003; in character as NinaTucker; this year, in a promotional shot for her latest album Bridge Over Troubled Dreams

signed her to Talentworks, his management company, when she was 14. At just 15, Delta signed a record deal with Sony and the label commissioned a disposable

pop song in the vein of Christina Aguilera, I Don’t Care (an obscure Angela Via cover), to release as her debut single in 2001. The single flopped (peaking at #64) and Delta was shattered. “I had ripped out a [Top 40] chart to put on my wall, whited out whoever was #1 and written in I Don’t Care ,” Delta told journalist Bernard Zuel. “And when it didn’t go there, I was looking at my wall and telling my parents and my brother, ‘Something’s not right here. Why did that not work?’ I had to take a step back. It hurt.” For the accompanying film clip, Delta was given a Britney-esque makeover that was a far cry from her girl-next-door, innocent- ingénue image. But I Don’t Care served its purpose. After seeing this music video, Neighbours came knocking and developed the character of Nina Tucker – a shy school girl and aspiring

“Audius and I got on really well... He came out to our house, Mum made some lunch, and we wrote four songs,” Delta has said. “ Born To Try was the last one...” Continue reading about the rise of Delta in the UK, and how Innocent Eyes managed to spawn four more massive singles, and its ultimate legacy on Australian music, online at stack.com.au!

New album out July 16 Features the singles Low, Get High, Whatever Tomorrow and Feel Good

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