Magnets Shares New Single 'Sway', Plots International Day Of People With Disability Launch Show

Naarm-based disabled artist and advocate Siobhan McGinnity, otherwise known as Magnets, has today shared new single Sway as the latest preview of her debut album.

Rich and beautiful in its composition, Sway is a deeply personal track which sees McGinnity reflecting on love and identity.

“I realised every love song I’d ever written had been with a man in mind, but being pansexual, that didn’t make sense to me,” she explained. “So, I sat down and reflected on times I’d felt love for women and poured those feelings into a song. What came out was a much softer, slow burn of a song that feels like dancing under the night sky.”

“I first tried to come out at 19, but growing up in Margaret Court’s church wasn’t exactly welcoming to queer folk,” she added. “It took a few years to shake off those fears and embrace who I always was.”

A piece of liberating indie-pop which is rooted in nostalgia and beauty, the track is set to appear on Magnets’ upcoming album, DIPLACUSIS, which arrives on November 1st.

Named for the symptom of Meniere's Disease which McGinnity experiences, leading to a dissonant doubling of sound in one ear, it’s a topic close to her heart. Alongside her work as a musician, she’s also a clinical audiologist and researcher, having just completed a PhD thesis titled ‘Hearing Injury In The Music Industry’, which earned multiple accolades from the National Hearing Conservation Association in the US.

Meanwhile, McGinnity also serves on the board of Arts Access Victoria, highlighting her passion for accessibility and inclusivity.

Magnets’ new album will also be supported by a launch show at the Northcote Social Club on December 1st, planned to coincide with the International Day of People with Disability on December 3rd.

The lineup will feature a handful of disabled artists, including Women in Music Emerging Artist nominee, Mathilde Anne; autistic poet Alex Creece; and Music Victoria Amplify Award nominee Naavikaran, who will perform a DJ set.

Tickets to Magnets’ upcoming launch show are on sale now, with pre-orders for DIPLACUSIS available now.