Sarah Mary Chadwick is a bemusing artist, crooning on the edge of tonality with a voice that breaks over melancholy piano ballads. Her style is darkly comical, encouraging unsettled and hesitant laughter from the audience at Phoenix Central Park, with a performance underscored by her sad clown makeup, news print tailcoat, and a book overflowing with lyrics and notes that could only possibly be discerned by Sarah herself. 'Only Bad Memories Last' is a single as bleak and unrelenting as its title, enhanced by a forlorn film by Stephanie Jane Day, recorded on 16mm film that flew between Australia and New Zealand to capture faithfully the dogged sardonicism of Sarah Mary Chadwick.

Stephanie writes "Whenever I listen to Sarah Mary Chadwick's music, the macabre lyrics and shaking vocals coupled with the fine line Sarah treads between comedy and melancholia, immediately conjures the image of a sad clown singing at the piano under a single spotlight. So, when Phoenix asked me to direct the live performance, I thought it was time to bring this visceral vision to life.

"Costume Designer Olivia Simpson (assisted by Alecia John) and Hair and Makeup Designer Amelia Fell manifested chaotic circus chic, with a nuanced pastel palette, big bows, mismatched shoes, the newspaper print tailcoat tuxedo and the dramatic eyelash.

"This haunting act was captured beautifully by Cinematographer Dimitri Zaunders, creating a stirring ambience with sophisticated lighting, vintage lenses and 16mm film. You truly cannot help but be immersed."

Director: Stephanie Jane Day

Cinematographer: Dimitri Zaunders

HMU Design: Amelia Fell

Costume Design: Olivia Simpson

Costume Assistant: Alecia John

Venue Manager / Lighting: Gus Hunt

Producer: Josh Milch

Production Assistant: Max Enright