Etherdene lets go and moves on in her new empowerment anthem Forsaker — showcasing today on Tinnitist.
The Oregon singer, songwriter, and producer’s latest single is an electrifying track that delves deep into the emotional complexities of walking away from relationships and partnerships that no longer serve you. Fusing alt-pop, synth-pop and indie-pop, the song captures the raw vulnerability of heartbreak while also embracing strength and resilience in the aftermath.
Forsaker was born out of a deeply personal experience for Etherdene, who found herself navigating the painful end of a professional partnership she had high hopes for. “I prioritize relationships and rarely give up on a situation,” she explains. “So it felt surreal to walk away and ‘forsake’ it.” As she sat behind the piano one afternoon, fueled by a mix of heartbreak and frustration, the lyrics began to flow. “Brand new member in the club of quitters, the uniform complements my eyes” became the song’s defining line, inspiring Etherdene to explore the theme of letting go in the face of disappointment and doubt.
She reworked the song’s melody multiple times, eventually transforming it from a slow, emotional ballad to an energentic, delarative cut. The result is a song that encourages listeners to rise above, move on, and thrive after facing hardship. “I wanted this to be an upbeat statement song with an empowering message,” she says. “I wanted it to be something that helps people understand the strength that comes from walking away when things don’t work out… Many people emphasize the importance of persevering through tough situations, but one of the hardest decisions is knowing when it’s time to let go. Forsaker explores that idea of relinquishing something that seems lucrative but ultimately weighs you down.”
The production process was an exciting journey for Etherdene, who experimented with new sounds and techniques. She opted for synth bass arps, infusing the track with an ’80s-inspired atmosphere. Meanwhile, new collaborator Cory Clark’s skillful electric guitar additions perfectly complemented the song’s mood, adding layers of subtle yet dynamic texture.
In the track’s pre-production, she used sampled drums, but after consulting with longtime mixing engineer (and Grammy nominee) Martin Cooke, she decided to add real drums played by Warren van Wyk, creating a captivating listen as both drums come through in the final mix. “If the drums sound magic, that’s why,” Etherdene adds.
Finally, the cut was mastered by Elliot James Mulhern, who has worked on nearly all of her releases. “I am beyond fortunate to work with such talented people on this song,” she says. “I am such a big fan of each of them, and if someone told me a few years ago that this would all be happening, I’d happy-cry myself to sleep.”
Etherdene’s artistry transcends genres, with Forsaker joining her growing list of boundary-pushing releases. A versatile singer and producer, Etherdene (born Dala Botha in South Africa) has spent years honing her craft, from her early days as a pianist and songwriter in the Afrikaans band Kaktus to her exploration of music production in 2020. Since 2023, she has been releasing singles every few weeks, earning recognition along the way.
“Ether is the clear sky, the upper regions of air beyond the clouds,” she says of her stage name. “It’s unaffected by dark winter days, rain, and storms. Writing songs about what happens down below always pulls me back to the ether, where, for a moment, things are light and free.”
Check out Forsaker above, hear more from Etherdene below, and follow her on Instagram, TikTok and Facebook.
