Australian musician Tash Sultana’s “whole world stopped with one phone call” late last year when they found out their wife had been diagnosed with cancer.
The 29-year-old “one-person-band” – who uses they/them pronouns – made the devastating announcement with the release of their new song, Hold On, which they revealed to their 1.2 million Instagram followers was for “anyone who’s ever had to find strength when life pulls the ground out from under you”.
“It was completely unexpected, and navigating the news was turbulent, but we are getting through it together, one step at a time,” Sultana wrote in an emotional video message to their fans.
Sultana and their wife, Jaimie Sultana, found out a few days before Christmas that Jaimie had a tumour that had turned cancerous after going undetected previously.
“I wrote this song for her and for anyone standing in the storm not knowing what’s next,” Sultana told their fans.
“If you’ve ever had to hold on to the people you love, this is for you,” Sultana said.
Sultana – who was born in Melbourne and rose to international fame thanks to their hit Jungle, which came third in Triple J’s Hottest 100 countdown in 2016 – got engaged to Jaimie in 2020.
Jaimie is the owner of I & Eye Apparel, and co-owns vodka soda brand Lonely Lands Liquids with Sultana.
“Some songs come from a place deeper than music,” Sultana, who plays a plethora of instruments including but not limited to the piano, drums and saxophone, continued.
“This one came from one of the hardest moments of my life.”
“If you’ve ever felt like life was slipping through your hands, this song is for you,” Sultana continued.
“Life has thrown us a curve ball, and we’re taking it day by day.”
Sultana is scheduled to tour the United States with Lime Cordiale in June.
