Gordi (musician)

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Gordi
GORDI BON IVER SYD JORDAN MUNNS @jordankmunns-8.jpg
Gordi supporting Bon Iver at Aware Super Theatre in Sydney, 2023.
Background information
Birth nameSophie Payten
Born (1992-12-28) 28 December 1992 (age 32)
Origin Canowindra, New South Wales, Australia
Genres
Years active2013–present
Labels Jagjaguwar, Liberation Music
Website gordimusic.com

Sophie Payten (born 28 December 1992), known professionally as Gordi, is an Australian folktronica singer/songwriter. Her music has been featured in various television series and films: her 2015 single "Can We Work It Out" featured in the seventh series of The Vampire Diaries , her 2017 single "Heaven I Know" featured in the tenth series of The Walking Dead , and her 2017 song "Something Like This" featured in the 2020 teen romantic comedy To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You . [2]

Contents

Career

Payten began receiving both national and international attention after playing independently across Sydney whilst at university and releasing tracks online through government-funded national Australian radio station Triple J's Unearthed radio. Payten was nominated for the 2015 Unearthed Artist of the Year J Award from Triple J, [3] the 2015 Next Big Thing SMAC (Sydney Music, Arts & Culture) Award from FBi Radio, [4] and was dubbed one of the 40 best new bands of 2016 by Stereogum. [5] Payten signed record deals with Jagjaguwar in the United States in February 2016 and Liberation Music in Australia in April 2016. Payten then released her debut EP Clever Disguise in May 2016. [6] The EP was written entirely by Payten, collaborating with producers and mixers Ben McCarthy, Alex Somers and Francois Tetaz.

Payten has toured with Bon Iver, [7] Of Monsters and Men, [8] The Tallest Man on Earth, [9] Highasakite, [10] and Ásgeir. [11] Payten also sang backing vocals for Bon Iver on their appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in September 2016. [12]

Payten's debut LP Reservoir, released on 25 August 2017, was co-produced by Payten in part with Alex Somers in his studio in Iceland, Tim Anderson in Los Angeles and Ali Chant in New York City. On the album track "I'm Done", S. Carey is a featured vocalist. Payten is credited with singing backing vocals on S. Carey’s 2018 album Hundred Acres. She is also featured on "Postcard" from Troye Sivan’s 2018 album Bloom.

Gordi at The Great Escape Festival 2025 Gordi-6.jpg
Gordi at The Great Escape Festival 2025

Throughout 2019, Payten worked at Prince of Wales Hospital as a junior doctor, after completing her medical studies at The University of New South Wales in 2018. She quit the position in January 2020 to work on her second studio album, Our Two Skins, but went back on call in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. [13] [14]

In January 2020, Payten released her first single in almost three years called "The Cost", with profits going to the 2020 Australian Bushfire Relief. She also released a single "Indifferent" with Willaris. K, which appeared on his EP Lustre.

Payten released five singles ("Sandwiches", "Aeroplane Bathroom", "Volcanic", "Unready", and "Extraordinary Life") ahead of the release of her second studio album Our Two Skins on 26 June 2020. The album, co-produced by Payten with Chris Messina and Zach Hanson, was recorded in a cottage on Payten's family farm in Canowindra.

Payten released her EP Inhuman on 19 August 2022. [15] It was Payten's first non-remix, live, or acoustic EP since the release of Clever Disguise in 2016.

Payten featured on John Raymond and S. Carey's 2023 album Shadowlands, including on the single "Steadfast".

In March 2023, Payten released "Broke Scene", which was co-produced by Ethan Gruska, [16] followed by her single "Lunch At Dune" (with SOAK) in October 2024. Both singles appear on her third studio album Like Plasticine, which was released on 8 August 2025. Singles "Alien Cowboy", "Peripheral Lover", "Cutting Room Floor", "PVC Divide", "GD (Goddamn)" and "Head Rush" also appear on the record.

Other roles and activities

In August 2023, Payten was appointed as one of eight members of the newly-formed Music Australia Council, a division of Creative Australia (formerly Australia Council for the Arts). [17]

Personal life

Payten has been in a relationship [18] with singer-songwriter Alex Lahey [19] since 2017. [20] In 2021 the two released a single, "Dino's", with a music video directed by Nick Mckk. [19]

Payten's 2020 single "Sandwiches" was dedicated to her late grandmother. [18] [21]

Discography

Studio albums

List of studio albums, with selected details and chart positions shown
TitleAlbum detailsPeak chart positions
AUS
[22]
Reservoir 20
Our Two Skins
  • Released: 26 June 2020 [23]
  • Label: Jagjaguwar
  • Formats: CD, LP, digital download, streaming
18
Like Plasticine
  • Released: 8 August 2025
  • Label: Mushroom Music
  • Formats: CD, LP, digital download, streaming
93

Extended plays

List of EPs, with release date and label shown
TitleDetails
Clever Disguise
  • Released: 13 May 2016 [24] [25]
  • Label: Jagjaguwar, Liberation
  • Formats: CD, LP, digital download
Beneath the Reservoir
  • Released: 31 January 2019 [26]
  • Label: Jagjaguwar, Liberation
  • Formats: Digital download, streaming
Refracted: Live at Phoenix Central Park
  • Released: 20 May 2021 [27]
  • Label: Jagjaguwar, Liberation
  • Formats: Digital download, streaming
Inhuman
  • Released: 19 August 2022 [28] [15]
  • Label: Jagjaguwar, Liberation
  • Formats: Digital download, streaming
Lunch At Dune
  • Released: 15 November 2024 [29]
  • Label: Mushroom Music
  • Formats: Digital download, streaming

Remix EPs

List of remix EPs, with release date and label shown
TitleDetails
Can We Work It Out (Reworks)
  • Released: 7 November 2018 [30]
  • Label: Jagjaguwar, Liberation
  • Formats: Digital download, streaming
Extraordinary Life
  • Released: 8 October 2020 [31]
  • Label: Jagjaguwar, Liberation
  • Formats: Digital download, streaming
Our Two Skins (Remixed)
  • Released: 27 January 2021 [32]
  • Label: Jagjaguwar, Liberation
  • Formats: Digital download, streaming

Singles

As lead artist

List of singles as lead artist, with year released and album shown
TitleYearAlbum
"Nothing's as It Seems" [1] 2014Clever Disguise [A]
"Taken Blame" [35] 2015
"Can We Work It Out"
(original or RAC remix) [36] [34]
"Avant Gardener" [37] 2016Non-album single
"So Here We Are" [38] Clever Disguise
"00000 Million" [39] Non-album single
"Heaven I Know" [33] 2017Reservoir
"On My Side" [40]
"Bitter End" [41]
"The Cost (Australian Bushfire Relief)" [42] 2020Non-album single
"Indifferent"
(with Willaris. K) [43] 		Lustre
"Sandwiches" [44] Our Two Skins
"Aeroplane Bathroom" [45]
"Volcanic" [46]
"Unready" [47]
"Extraordinary Life" [48]
"Wrecking Ball" (triple j Like a Version) [49] Non-album singles
"Dino's"
(with Alex Lahey) [50] 		2021
"Grass Is Blue" [51] Inhuman
"Wait" (with Troye Sivan) [52] 2022Three Months
"Way I Go" [28] Inhuman
"Inhuman" [15]
"Stranger" [53]
"Visitor" [53]
"Begin Again" (Gordi remix) (with Didirri) [54] Non-album singles
"One Crowded Hour / Unready" (live at Sydney Opera House) [55] [56]
"Broke Scene" [16] 2023Like Plasticine
"Covered in Chrome" [57] Mushroom: Fifty Years of Making Noise (Reimagined)
"Apple" [58] 2024Lunch at Dune
"Lunch at Dune" (with Soak) [29] Lunch at Dune and Like Plasticine
"Alien Cowboy" [59] 2025Like Plasticine
"Peripheral Lover"
"Cutting Room Floor" [60]
"PVC Divide" (featuring Anaïs Mitchell)
"GD (Goddamn)" [61]
"Head Rush"
List of singles as featured artist, with year released and album shown
TitleYearAlbum
"The Hummingbird"
(Josh Pyke feat. Gordi) [62] 		2021To Find Happiness
"Steadfast"
(John Raymond & S. Carey feat. Gordi)		2023Shadowlands
"Sir"
(Slowshift feat. Gordi)		World Going One Way

Guest appearances

Guest appearances, with year released and album shown
TitleYearAlbum
"Postcard"
(Troye Sivan feat. Gordi)		2018 Bloom
"Hang On"
(Le Youth feat. Gordi)		2022Reminders
"No One Else"
(Nils Hoffmann feat. Gordi)		2022A Radiant Sign
"New Meaning"
(John Raymond & S. Carey feat. Gordi)		2023Shadowlands
"The Other Side"
(Tyne-James Organ feat. Gordi)		2025The Other Side

Awards and nominations

AIR Awards

The Australian Independent Record Awards (commonly known informally as AIR Awards) is an annual awards night to recognise, promote and celebrate the success of Australia's Independent Music sector.

YearNominee / workAwardResultRef.
2021 "Extraordinary Life"Independent Song of the YearNominated [63] [64]
Our Two SkinsBest Independent Pop Album or EPWon

ARIA Music Awards

The ARIA Music Awards is an annual awards ceremony that recognises excellence, innovation, and achievement across all genres of Australian music. Gordi has received two nominations. [65]

YearNominee / workAwardResult
2020 Our Two Skins Best Adult Contemporary Album Nominated
2023 Sophie Payton (Gordi) & Jason Fernandez for RIDE - Music from the Film Best Original Soundtrack, Cast or Show Album Nominated
2025 Like PlasticineBest Adult Contemporary AlbumPending [66]

Australian Music Prize

The Australian Music Prize (the AMP) is an annual award of $30,000 given to an Australian band or solo artist in recognition of the merit of an album released during the year of award.

YearNominee / workAwardResultRef.
2020 Our Two SkinsAustralian Music PrizeNominated [67]

Australian Women in Music Awards

The Australian Women in Music Awards is an annual event that celebrates outstanding women in the Australian Music Industry who have made significant and lasting contributions in their chosen field. They commenced in 2018.

YearNominee / workAwardResultRef.
2018 Sophie Payten (Gordi)Songwriter AwardWon [68]
Sophie Payten (Gordi)Artistic Excellence AwardNominated

J Award

The J Awards are an annual series of Australian music awards that were established by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's youth-focused radio station Triple J. They commenced in 2005.

YearNominee / workAwardResultRef.
2015 HerselfUnearthed Artist of the YearNominated [69]
2017 ReservoirAustralian Album of the YearNominated [70]
2020 Our Two SkinsAustralian Album of the YearNominated [71] [72]
HerselfDouble J Australian Artist of the YearNominated

Music Victoria Awards

The Music Victoria Awards, are an annual awards night celebrating Victorian music. They commenced in 2005.

YearNominee / workAwardResultRef.
2021 "Dino's" (with Alex Lahey)Best Victorian SongNominated [73] [74]

Rolling Stone Australia Awards

The Rolling Stone Australia Awards are awarded annually in January or February by the Australian edition of Rolling Stone magazine for outstanding contributions to popular culture in the previous year. [75]

YearNominee / workAwardResultRef.
2022HerselfRolling Stone Readers' Choice AwardWon [76]

Notes

  1. ↑ "Can We Work It Out" is also included on the album Reservoir, [33] whilst the RAC remix of "Can We Work It Out" is only included on the remix EP Can We Work It Out (Reworks). [34]

References

  1. 1 2 Rancani, Laura (1 October 2014). "Listen: Gordi – "Nothing's As It Seems" [Premiere]". The Line of Best Fit . Retrieved 25 June 2020.
  2. ↑ "Gordi – TV & Movie Placements". What Song. 12 February 2020. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
  3. ↑ "Here are your 2015 J Award nominees | Music News | triple j". www.abc.net.au. Retrieved 25 May 2017.
  4. ↑ "2015 FBi SMAC Nominees Announced - Music Feeds". Music Feeds. 19 November 2015. Retrieved 25 May 2017.
  5. ↑ "Stereogum's 40 Best New Bands Of 2016 - Stereogum - Page 2". Stereogum. 1 November 2016. Retrieved 25 May 2017.
  6. ↑ "GORDI - Clever Disguise - Music Feeds". Music Feeds. 12 May 2016. Retrieved 25 May 2017.
  7. ↑ "Gordi scores Bon Iver tour slot and 'Best New Artist of 2016' nod | Music News | triple j". www.abc.net.au. Retrieved 25 May 2017.
  8. ↑ "Gordi pens two international deals and is named as support for Of Monsters and Men tour |". hhhhappy.com. 14 January 2016. Retrieved 25 May 2017.
  9. ↑ Tredinnick, Jessamy (30 November 2016). "Gordi Is Ready To Support Her Hero: The Tallest Man On Earth". scenestr.com.au. Retrieved 25 May 2017.
  10. ↑ "GORDI signs to Liberation Music & debuts new single 'Wanting' from her 'Clever Disguise' EP out May 13 - Liberation Music". liberation.com.au. Retrieved 25 May 2017.
  11. ↑ "ÁSGEIR · Handsome Tours". handsometours.com. Retrieved 25 May 2017.
  12. ↑ "Watch Bon Iver Debut "8 (circle)" On The Tonight Show". Stereogum. 15 September 2016. Retrieved 25 May 2017.
  13. ↑ Quinn, Belinda (26 June 2020). "Music as medicine: why Gordi quit her job as a doctor for new album 'Our Two Skins'". NME. Retrieved 8 September 2023.
  14. ↑ Triscari, Caleb (7 April 2020). "Gordi returns to her medical career amid the coronavirus pandemic". NME. Retrieved 8 September 2023.
  15. 1 2 3 "Gordi stalked by giant lobster for Inhuman, title track of new EP". Australian Broadcasting Corporation . 14 July 2022. Retrieved 14 July 2022.
  16. 1 2 "Gordi – "Broke Scene"". Stereo Gum. 3 March 2023. Retrieved 4 March 2023.
  17. ↑ Newstead, Al (22 August 2023). "Meet the Music Australia Council tasked with solving local music's struggles". Double J . Retrieved 30 September 2024.
  18. 1 2 Newstead, Al (22 June 2020). "Gordi's emotive second album is shaped by love, loss... and a sheep farm". ABC . Retrieved 24 June 2020.
  19. 1 2 Martin, Josh (12 February 2021). "Alex Lahey and Gordi team up to pay tribute to a Nashville dive bar on 'Dino's'". NME . Retrieved 21 July 2021.
  20. ↑ Rockman, Lisa (20 June 2020). "A panic attack at 30,000-feet inspired Gordi to tell her story on album number two, Our Two Skins". The Newcastle Herald . Retrieved 24 June 2020.
  21. ↑ Kenneally, Cerys (25 February 2020). "Gordi pays tribute to her late grandmother on new single "Sandwiches"". The Line of Best Fit . Retrieved 25 June 2020.
  22. ↑ Peaks in Australia:
  23. ↑ "Canowindra's Gordi to release her second album in June". Canowindra News. 6 May 2020. Retrieved 7 May 2020.
  24. ↑ Bodley, Luke (12 May 2016). "Gordi – Clever Disguise". Music Feeds . Retrieved 4 June 2020.
  25. ↑ Day, Laurence (6 May 2016). "Track By Track: Gordi on Clever Disguise". The Line of Best Fit . Retrieved 25 June 2020.
  26. ↑ "Gordi walks us through her stark new EP, 'Beneath the Reservoir'". Junkee . 31 January 2019. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
  27. ↑ "Gordi shares 'Refracted' short film, announces live EP". NME. 20 April 2021. Retrieved 21 May 2021.
  28. 1 2 Robinson Ellie (26 May 2022). "Gordi embraces true love on warming new single 'Way I Go'". www.nme.com. Retrieved 29 May 2022.
  29. 1 2 "Gordi and SOAK Strengthen Irish-Aussie Relations on Joint Single 'Lunch at Dune'". Rolling Stone Australia . 18 October 2024. Retrieved 19 October 2024.
  30. ↑ "Can We Work It Out (Reworks) – Single by Gordi on Apple Music". Apple Music AU. 7 November 2018. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
  31. ↑ "Extraordinary Life Remixes by Gordi". NME Magazine AU. 2 October 2020. Retrieved 2 October 2020.
  32. ↑ Gordi Announces ‘Our Two Skins’ Remix EP. Tyler Jenke, Rolling Stone Australia, 20 January 2021. Retrieved 20 January 2021.
  33. 1 2 Day, Laurence (12 June 2017). "Gordi previews debut album with cinematic new single "Heaven I Know"". The Line of Best Fit . Retrieved 25 June 2020.
  34. 1 2 Evans, Steph (8 November 2018). "RAC remixes Gordi's 'Can We Work It Out'". Dancing Astronaut . Retrieved 25 June 2020.
  35. ↑ Rancani, Laura (5 February 2015). "Listen: Gordi – "Taken Blame"". The Line of Best Fit . Retrieved 25 June 2020.
  36. ↑ Rancani, Laura (8 July 2015). "Sydney-based songwriter Gordi explores tender territory with "Can We Work It Out"". The Line of Best Fit . Retrieved 25 June 2020.
  37. ↑ DeVille, Chris (12 February 2016). "Gordi – "Avant Gardener" (Courtney Barnett Cover)". Stereogum . Retrieved 25 June 2020.
  38. ↑ Thompson, Stephen (19 September 2016). "First Watch: Gordi, 'So Here We Are'". NPR . Retrieved 25 June 2020.
  39. ↑ Murphy, Sam (17 November 2016). "Hear Gordi's spectacular acapella Bon Iver cover". Music Feeds . Retrieved 4 June 2020.
  40. ↑ Aikins, Gabriel (11 July 2017). "Gordi comes to the rescue in "On My Side" music video". Substream Magazine. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
  41. ↑ Aikins, Gabriel (17 August 2017). "Gordi shares intricate music video to go with new single "Bitter End"". Substream Magazine. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
  42. ↑ Ziwei, Puah (13 January 2020). "Gordi releases new song 'The Cost' in support of Australian emergency services". NME . Retrieved 4 June 2020.
  43. ↑ Rose, Anna (30 January 2020). "Willaris. K releases new single 'Indifferent,' featuring Gordi". NME . Retrieved 4 June 2020.
  44. ↑ Langford, Jackson (25 February 2020). "Gordi releases new single and video 'Sandwiches'". NME . Retrieved 4 June 2020.
  45. ↑ Eddy, Lim (24 March 2020). "Gordi announces new album with music video for 'Aeroplane Bathroom'". NME . Retrieved 4 June 2020.
  46. ↑ Tyler, Jenke (6 May 2020). "Gordi has shared her new single, the anxiety-influenced 'Volcanic'". Rolling Stone Australia . Retrieved 4 June 2020.
  47. ↑ Lim, Eddy (4 June 2020). "Gordi shares fourth single 'Unready' from forthcoming album". NME . Retrieved 4 June 2020.
  48. ↑ Lim, Eddy (23 June 2020). "Gordi shares final single 'Extraordinary Life' ahead of new album". NME . Retrieved 24 June 2020.
  49. ↑ "Gordi covers Miley Cyrus 'Wrecking Ball' for Like A Version". ABC News. 24 July 2020. Retrieved 18 January 2021.
  50. ↑ Gordi and Alex Lahey Share Collaborative New Single, 'Dino's'. Tyler Jenke, Rolling Stone Australia, 12 February 2021. Retrieved 12 February 2021.
  51. ↑ Deville Chris (17 November 2021). "Gordi "Grass Is Blue" (Dolly Parton Cover)". www.stereogum.com. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  52. ↑ Gallagher Alex (24 February 2022). "Listen to Troye Sivan and Gordi's new collaboration 'Wait'". www.nme.com. Retrieved 25 February 2022.
  53. 1 2 "Gordi "Stranger" & "Visitor"". StereoGum. 2 August 2022. Retrieved 6 August 2022.
  54. ↑ "Begin Again (Gordi Remix) - Single". Apple Music. 25 November 2022. Retrieved 15 December 2022.
  55. ↑ "One Crowded Hour / Unready (live at Sydney Opera House) - Single". Apple Music. 9 December 2022. Retrieved 15 December 2022.
  56. ↑ "New Aus Music Playlist: Our Favourite Tunes Of The Week". Music Feeds . 16 December 2022. Retrieved 17 December 2022.
  57. ↑ "Listen to Gordi Cover Violent Soho's 'Covered in Chrome'". Music Feeds . 29 May 2023. Retrieved 29 May 2023.
  58. ↑ "Gordi Opens New Musical Chapter with Collaborative New Single 'Lunch at Dune'". Mushroom Music. 18 October 2024. Retrieved 22 October 2024.
  59. ↑ "Gordi Alien Cowboy". Fem Music. 29 January 2025. Retrieved 2 February 2025.
  60. ↑ "Gordi shares new single, "Cutting Room Floor"". The Line of Best Fit. 24 April 2025. Retrieved 26 April 2025.
  61. ↑ "Gordi shares new track "GD (Goddamn)" recorded and produced entirely on her iPhone". The Line of Best Fit. 20 June 2025. Retrieved 22 June 2025.
  62. ↑ "World premiere: Josh Pyke and Gordi collaborate". ABC. 10 June 2021. Retrieved 11 June 2021.
  63. ↑ "Details confirmed for 2021 AIR Awards as nominees announced". The Music . 2 June 2021. Archived from the original on 2 June 2021. Retrieved 5 June 2021.
  64. ↑ "2021 AIR Awards Winners". Scenstr.com.au. 5 August 2021. Retrieved 6 August 2021.
  65. ↑ "ARIA Awards 2020 Nominees". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Retrieved 13 October 2020.
  66. ↑ "ARIA Award nominations 2025: Ninajirachi, Dom Dolla, Amyl & The Sniffers lead the pack". Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). Retrieved 26 September 2025.
  67. ↑ "Australian Music Prize".
  68. ↑ "2018 Recipients Finalists". women in Music Awards. October 2018. Retrieved 19 March 2021.
  69. ↑ "The J Award 2015". Triple J . Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 2015. Retrieved 15 August 2020.
  70. ↑ "The J Award 2017". Triple J . Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 2017. Retrieved 15 August 2020.
  71. ↑ "Here are your nominees for the 2020 J Awards!". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 2 November 2020. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
  72. ↑ Triscari, Caleb (19 November 2020). "Lime Cordiale take home Australian Album of the Year at the 2020 J Awards". NME Australia . Retrieved 19 November 2020.
  73. ↑ "Music Victoria Awards Reveals Line-up And Nominees for 2021". Noise11. 11 November 2021. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  74. ↑ "Music Victoria Awards 2021 Winners". scenestr.com.au. 9 December 2021. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
  75. ↑ Barnes, Amelia (5 December 2011). "Rolling Stone Magazine Australia announces 3rd annual awards event". The AU Review. Archived from the original on 8 August 2016. Retrieved 5 March 2021.
  76. ↑ "Have Your Say in This Year's Rolling Stone Australia Reader's Choice Award". au.rollingstone.com. 17 January 2022. Retrieved 17 February 2022.
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