Sometimes an album comes together through careful planning. Other times, it emerges unexpectedly, shaped by the people, experiences and emotions that find their way into the music. For Boorloo/Perth singer-songwriter Kim Franklin, who records as Blank Instrument, her debut album Jumping at Ghosts is very much the latter.
Arriving on Friday, 23 October, the 11-track collection explores love, grief, mental health, uncertainty and hope, moving between folk, Americana, soul, blues and intimate piano ballads. It’s an album that has changed not only how Franklin approaches songwriting, but also how she sees herself.
At the heart of the record is Franklin’s late friend Julie, whose generosity gave her the opportunity to record an album she had never planned to make. Most of the songs began taking shape in early 2023 through I Heart Songwriting Club, before evolving in the studio alongside a talented group of musicians. Rather than starting with a rigid musical vision, Franklin embraced experimentation, allowing the arrangements and instrumentation to develop organically.
Reflecting on what the process has meant to her, Franklin shares: “While I still miss Julie and I think I’d give it all back if she could be here with me, this album feels like the most important thing I have ever done and I’m grateful every day that I got to do it.”
There’s plenty of emotional territory to explore across these songs, from the promise of new beginnings to the unexpected humour of a pair of discarded shoes. Ahead of the album’s release, Franklin has kindly taken us through each track, sharing the personal stories and reflections that brought Jumping at Ghosts to life.
Blank Instrument – Jumping at Ghosts – Track by Track
“Brand New”
“Brand New” was written about a time when I was breaking up with my partner of 3 years, while living in London. I wrote two lines in a poem back in 2012, which came back to me while writing this song, forming part of the chorus. The overall message is one of hope, because while today may be difficult, tomorrow may bring with it new opportunities for healing and starting again.
“Know Nothing”
This is a song about questioning what we can trust and accepting that there’s no perfect answer, no one right way through life. It’s about realising we’re all in the same boat, doing our best and at some point you’ve just got to take a chance. There’s comfort in admitting you don’t know everything, because it’s impossible to know all there is to know in this world, and that’s okay.
“Green and Blue”
Written during a trip to Byron Bay when I was still grieving Julie who had passed away a few months before. While working on this album, I feel like it was trying to teach me something about being in the present moment, not rushing to the end and allowing the process to unfold. Those surfers in the chorus were content to just wait for the next wave, soaking up the sun and the sea, for however long it took.
“Look”
I wrote this song about my husband, who doesn’t get mentioned much in my songs. Our relationship was different to others I’d had, it was a slow build which led to a deeper connection. We never argue and we can talk about anything. I started to think that maybe this was how it was always meant to be, how love was meant to look.
“My Time”
Sometimes in life we are in a holding pattern, waiting for the next thing (job, person, opportunity) to happen. “My Time” is about being positive and hopeful while going through even the most monotonous days, because change will come and when it does, it’s going to be great!
“Invisible”
Written from the point of view of a no longer worn pair of shoes as if they were a spurned lover, Invisible is a playful song that doesn’t take itself too seriously. The duality of the language is something that I enjoy with references to feet and footwear woven through the song. I also got to work with a harmonica player and use some random items in the studio for percussion.
“Unwanted Friends”
I wrote this song about having OCD before I was diagnosed. The unwanted friends (or unwanted thoughts) are like uninvited house guests that you can’t get to leave. While working on this album, I learned so much about myself and was able to change the way I view my thoughts and I now have strategies for dealing with them.
“Tears Still Flow”
The idea from this song came from realising that when it comes to grief, there is no advice that really helps. Sometimes we just need someone to listen. Grief is a strange beast and the only way is through, dealing with it as it comes. The worst part was probably when I realised the only person I wanted to talk to about my feelings was the one person I’d never get to talk to again.
“Free”
The song prompt was ‘Kitchen Table’, which made me think about my youth and times in my life when I felt free. With the pace of life, most of us are too busy to slow down and be present. “Free” is about celebrating the freedom to choose, to be yourself, to live the life you want and remembering to take a deep breath every once in a while.
“Pale Imitation”
Imagine if you found a photograph of your doppelganger. You would probably wonder what their life is like compared to yours. “Pale Imitation” explores the pitfalls of comparison and feeling not quite good enough, made worse by social media content curation.
“What Do You Really Need?”
In striving to move beyond perfectionism and the evils of capitalism and hustle culture, I was thinking about what I really needed to be content in life. I’ve realised that I can be happy with a lot less than I once thought. This song has some of the things I value in life and have learned. The band did not want to stop playing this song, which is why it’s over 6 minutes long.
Jumping at Ghosts is released today, Friday, 23 October 2026.
Blank Instrument Album Launch
Sunday, 25 October 2026 – Clancy’s Fish Pub, Fremantle
With special guests Midnight Francine – Doors 7pm – Tickets available via Oztix
Header image credit: Mark Wong – Film Nostalgic
You can keep up to date with Blank Instrument via their Website, Facebook, Instagram, Spotify , YouTube, and Apple Music.
