Canberra might get a bad rap for the squabble of badly behaved politicians that hang around its shores, but on the flipside it also has the cathartic and totally kick-arse pop-metal artist, Machine on a Break as a resident. We’re beyond excited to be premiering their new single, “How I Say Goodnight”, ahead of its release on Friday.
Fronted by a neurodivergent gamer girl, the powerful single highlights the importance of feeling safe when struggling through mental health issues. It’s beautifully intense and shimmers with passion, compassion and honesty.
Machine on a Break has shared with the AU, the background behind the track:
“‘How I Say Goodnight’ is ultimately about reassuring the people close to me that, despite how I might be feeling, I am safe. As someone who has struggled with mental health challenges for as long as I can remember, I have learned this is important to the people around me. The song is an exploration of dark thoughts and ideas I’ve battled with during low points during my life, resolving with the conclusion that I don’t want to hurt those I care about. After experiencing the impacts of others’ mental health myself, I have been better able to understand the impacts mine have on others and resolved to do everything in my power to minimise these.”
“The song starts heavy to represent intense emotion, falling into a remorseful verse of realisation that familiar struggles are returning. As the song moves into the heavy chorus, the thoughts come back to the front of mind which transition into determination to stay in the light, before moving into the second verse which explicitly reassures loved ones that I will be safe despite these strong emotions and dark thoughts. The breakdown is a sonic representation of racing thoughts and turmoil which cannot be expressed through words, which ends in a peaceful resolution cemented by the lyrics ‘I don’t want to die’ – finally stating explicitly what is hinted in previous choruses by the line, ‘I don’t want to say goodbye.’ The final chorus of the song is one last reiteration that despite everything, I will be safe.”
Machine on a Break will be supporting Perth Metalcore badasses Patient Sixty-Seven on the Canberra leg of their AUS tour tonight at The Baso in Canberra.
She has announced a live single launch show at The Baso on May 16 alongside Great White Dogs, Aifel and Social Strangers. The ticket links are below. Get along if you can and support live music!
After being named as a Grand Finalist (top 8) in the Listen Up Songwriting Prize in 2022, Machine on a Break went on to support Wicked Things and Krave, then moving to Canberra, where she played Festival 15 in 2024. Following this, she went on to play at Sydney Olympic Park as pre-show entertainment for Parkway Drive fans on September 21st, and a Yours and Owls free party in October 2024.
Later in 2025 you can catch her supporting I See Stars on the Newcastle leg of their Australian Tour.
You can pre-save “How I Say Goodnight” HERE
“How I Say Goodnight” Single Launch
Friday 16th May – The Baso – The Abyss – Belconnen, ACT – with guests Great White Dogs, Aiffel + Social Strangers – tickets HERE
You can keep up to date with Machine On A Break via Facebook, Instagram, Spotify, and Apple Music,
