THE SOUND of Nostalgia

From heartfelt diary entries to viral anthems, Lyric has captured the essence of growing up, love, and longing with her deeply personal music. With a loyal fanbase, a self-produced sound, and a knack for turning unspoken emotions into unforgettable melodies, she’s carving out a space all her own in the Australian music scene.

Described as a blend of Olivia Rodrigo and Billie Eilish, this 21-year-old singer-songwriter and self-taught producer, is captivating listeners with her raw emotion and innovative production. Her TikTok viral hit ‘Gravity’ surpassed 450K streams and sold out her first Queensland headline shows, cementing her place as one of Australia’s rising stars. Following up with singles like 'Wildfire (Make You Mine)' and 'Isabella,' her sophomore EP Nostalgia delves into the complexities of youth and fleeting moments of time.

Fresh off the success of her latest single Friends and a whirlwind year of performances, LOCALE caught up with Lyric to chat about songwriting, social media, and what’s next in her musical journey.

On your music's deeply personal themes of nostalgia and unspoken emotions, what draws you to write about these topics?

My songs are like a diary for me, which is why they’re so vulnerable and relatable. Nostalgia has been a recurring theme because it’s something I’ve always felt deeply. It’s not easy to put into words, but I try to capture that emotion whenever I can. I write about things I struggle to express in everyday life, and the songs become a way to explain what’s hard to articulate.

You’ve been writing songs for years. Do you remember the first song you ever wrote, and how does it compare to your current music?

The first song I wrote was when I was about six or seven—it was called ‘Flower Girl,’ and honestly, it was terrible! So, it’s very different from the music I’m making now, but hey, we all have to start somewhere.

‘Gravity’ went viral on TikTok. How did that moment feel, and how has social media shaped your journey as an artist?

When ‘Gravity’ took off, it was a whirlwind. It happened so fast, and suddenly, I had so many more people listening to my music. I was so grateful for the connection. Social media has been an incredible tool, especially as an independent artist—it’s helped me reach fans worldwide, and I wouldn’t be where I am without it.

You’re a self-taught producer. What was the biggest challenge in learning production, and how has it shaped your sound?

The biggest challenge is overcoming obstacles in every song. There’s always something that goes wrong, and it feels like I’ll never finish, but those moments are often when my favourite tracks come to life. I wouldn’t trade being hands-on in production—it makes the songs feel like my babies, especially with all the time, blood, sweat, and tears I put into them!

Your latest single, ‘Friends,’ touches on falling for someone close to you. Was it inspired by personal experience? What was the songwriting process like?

All of my songs are inspired by personal experience one way or another. I think we’ve all been in that situation where you like someone who doesn’t feel the same, so I wanted to write a song that captures how hard that feeling can be. The songwriting process was smooth—this song fell into place in a day or two, which doesn’t always happen!

You’ve supported artists like Griff, Mallrat, and BENEE, and played BIGSOUND 2024. What’s been your most surreal moment on stage so far?

The most surreal moment was at my Sydney headline show on the Nostalgia Tour. It was the biggest room of the tour, and the wave of screams when I stepped on stage was overwhelming. Hearing everyone sing my songs back to me for the first time was incredibly surreal.

Your EP Nostalgia dives deep into the fleeting moments of youth. If you could give advice to your younger self, what would it be?

I’d tell my younger self not to worry so much! I struggled with a lot of anxiety growing up, and I’d reassure myself that everything is going to be okay. This past year has been one of my favourites, so I’d remind myself that the future is something to look forward to, not fear.

Being based on the Gold Coast, how has it influenced your artistry and your connection to the local creative community?

I love being an artist here. The Gold Coast has such a great community of musicians, and it’s awesome being able to create music with my best friends. The local scene is so supportive, and it’s an amazing place to be.

Your fanbase is fiercely loyal. What’s the most memorable fan interaction you’ve had?

On my recent tour, a bunch of fans made me scrapbooks filled with messages and photos from other fans worldwide. I read every single message, and it made me cry. That was definitely one of my favourite memories.

What can fans expect next, now that ‘Friends’ marks the start of a new era for you?

Fans can expect more songs to dance-cry to, new visuals I’ve been working hard on, and of course, more oversharing from me on the internet!

Any exciting collaborations, tours, or shifts in your sound on the horizon?

I’ve got some exciting shows and touring plans coming up, but I can’t reveal too much just yet. I’m excited to play more shows this year, especially in places I’ve never been to before.

@music.by.lyric