Lost songs from iconic Australian rockstar found in garage

More than ten years after her passing, the distinctive voice of Chrissy Amphlett, lead singer of the Australian rock band Divinyls, is set to return to the public ear through the release of previously unheard material. Three tracks recorded in 1998 alongside Tim Finn, former lead vocalist of New Zealand’s Split Enz, have been uncovered after being stored away in a garage for decades.

Amphlett, widely recognized for her husky vocals and dynamic stage presence, rose to prominence with the Divinyls' iconic hits such as "I Touch Myself," which topped the charts in 1990, along with earlier successes including "Pleasure and Pain" and "Boys in Town." Despite the enduring legacy of these hits, the collaboration with Finn had remained obscured until recently.

The rediscovered songs stem from a 1998 recording session in Sydney, during a period when Amphlett was exploring new musical directions. At this time, she was transitioning from a difficult personal relationship with guitarist Mark McEntee and developing a close partnership with drummer Charley Drayton, whom she would later marry. This context of change and renewal framed the creative collaboration with Finn.

Finn recalled that the meeting was born out of mutual respect, as both were lead singers of influential bands in their respective countries. Their shared history as frontpersons fostered an immediate connection, prompting them to co-write three songs over several days. Drayton contributed drums to the sessions, further anchoring the project in Amphlett’s evolving personal and professional life.

Although the recordings were made with enthusiasm and focus, the project was never completed or released at the time. Finn took the tapes home intending to develop them further, but the songs remained in a state of limbo for many years.

The breakthrough came in 2023 when Drayton reached out to Finn regarding the recordings. Finn discovered the original two-inch tape in his garage, remarkably preserved and intact. This find enabled the musical collaboration to finally emerge from obscurity, allowing fans and archivists to experience an unseen side of Amphlett’s artistry.

The three tracks are scheduled for release on an EP titled "Some Times," marking an important posthumous addition to Amphlett’s discography. The release offers a rare glimpse into a period of experimentation and personal transformation for the artist, broadening the understanding of her musical range beyond her well-known catalog.

Details about the songs themselves, including their style and lyrical themes, have not been extensively disclosed, leaving listeners to discover these elements firsthand upon release. Nevertheless, the discovery is considered significant by those close to Amphlett and Finn, underscoring the enduring impact of her contributions to rock music.

This event highlights the importance of archival preservation and the potential for lost works to resurface, enriching the cultural heritage of iconic musicians. As the music community anticipates the EP, the story of these songs’ survival and eventual unveiling adds a compelling chapter to Amphlett’s legacy.