MELL HALL BECOMES FIRST
FEMALE ARTIST TO TOP
ARIA CLUB CHART WITH
A DEBUT SINGLE
IN 13 YEARS
In a tremendous milestone for female producers, Adelaide based Mell Hall has today made history; becoming the first female artist in 13 years to sit atop of the ARIA Club Chart with a debut single.
Mell Hall, who recently announced her signing to Club Sweat, achieved the distinction after her first original production as a solo artist, ‘Knock Knock feat. Thandi Phoenix’, jumped from fifth to top spot in the chart. The last female debut #1 in the club chart was fellow Australian, Zoe Badwi with her 2008 release ‘Release Me’ – staying in pole position for seven weeks. The moment also signals feature artist, one of Australia’s leading dance-pop talents, Thandi Phoenix’s first foray into the ARIA Club Chart.
The disco producer’s ‘Knock Knock’ dropped just over three weeks ago via Club Sweat, and entered the club chart at #34 before promptly climbing the ranks to claim top spot in its fourth week in the chart. The track knocked Mind Electric’s ‘Party People’ off its rank, seeing Mell Hall join an illustrious group in becoming the fifth Australian solo female artist to top the chart after Beth Yen (2019), Helena (2012), Zoe Badwi (2008) and Sarah McLeod (2006).
On the success of her debut single in the ARIA Club Chart, Mell Hall said, “WOW! So unbelievably overwhelmed to have a #1 ARIA Club record. I knew ‘Knock Knock’ was something-special from day one, but never expected this result! When I found out I was the first female debut number one in 13 years – gobsmacked – truly honoured, there’s been some tears! Endless thank-you’s to my team, my label and everyone involved in the record. And of course Ms. Thandi Phoenix for dominating that vocal. Big love to everyone playing and listening to ‘Knock Knock’, forever grateful.”
General Manager of Club Sweat, Danny T, lead the congratulations to Mell, saying, “Huge congrats to Mell, the funkiest one of them all! What an incredible accomplishment, an inspiration to all emerging women in Australian dance music and beyond. We couldn’t be prouder. Girls to the front every damn day!”
The stand-out single draws influences from classic disco and funk records, with an uplifting piano melody, and horns aplenty, for an energetic and vibrant dance anthem. To complement the funk fueled production, Mell enlisted powerhouse vocalist Thandi Phoenix, who’s prowess for blending pop with electronica and dance has seen her collaborate with the likes of Sigma, Dan Caplen, Rudimental, and Cassian. The Sydney singer-songwriter’s raw, sultry vocals evoked a powerful moment for two of Australia’s rising female artists, which has evidently resonated with industry across the country.
‘Knock Knock’ made a splash upon release, named as triple j’s Friday Night Shuffle ‘Tune Of The Week’ before being added on rotation across triple j Unearthed. After Mell Hall’s signing to Club Sweat was announced by The Music Network she went on to receive further press support from the likes of Pilerats, AAA Backstage, and Life Without Andy. While ‘Knock Knock’ signals Mell Hall’s introduction as a solo artist, her production capabilities have not gone unnoticed, with stellar remixes for Torren Foot’s ‘More Life’ featuring Tinie Tempah and L Divine, as well as for David Penn and Milk & Sugar’s ‘Happy People’. More recently she remixed one of the biggest dance records of 2020 in ‘Energy’ from Stace Cadet and KLP, which has clocked over 4 million streams across platforms.
No stranger to her peers, Mell and her signature disco edits have been the go to support for some of the world’s best touring DJs – Disclosure, Basement Jaxx, Crazy P, Norman Jay, Todd Terry, Late Nite Tuff Guy and Weiss – just to name a few. While Mell Hall has flourished rubbing shoulders with some of the world’s most influential, the success of her debut single signals a sign of things to come as she is set to become a mainstay on the Australian dance scene.
‘Knock Knock’ is out now via Club Sweat.
Mell Hall (top) and Thandi Phoenix above
STREAM / DL ‘KNOCK KNOCK’ HERE
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