Tash Sultana appeared on the latest digital installment of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert‘s #PlayAtHome series this week, where she performed her song “Beyond the Pine”. The song will appear on Sultana’s forthcoming sophomore album Terra Firma, and finds the Australian singer-songwriter performing every instrument.
This performance of “Beyond the Pine” was released only hours after Sultana, who is non-binary and identifies as they/them, premiered the studio version of the song on their own YouTube channel. The song follows previously-released singles “Greed” and “Pretty Lady” which will also appear on the new studio album.
In the video, viewers join Sultana in the studio as the groundwork to the song is laid. With simple kick drums and ambient keyboard work, the song is formless as the rhythm begins to assimilate. Soon, delicate vocals come in as more and more elements enter the picture. Sultana harmonizes with Sultana, bass root notes, and the reverberated strum of a shimmering guitar all come into play as the song takes shape. Before long, the layers begin to stack further and further as “Beyond the Pine” is suddenly unrecognizable from the simple foundation that begat the now dense melody.
Watch Tash Sultana perform every instrument on “Beyond the Pine” for Colbert‘s #PlayAtHome series.
Tash Sultana – “Beyond the Pine”
[Video: The Late Show with Stephen Colbert]