Where are you currently based?
Naarm/Melbourne
How did you first start playing music?
Growing up, I was always surrounded by music because my dad is a musician (a bass player and classically trained pianist). He taught me some piano and guitar at a young age. My mum, although not a musician herself, is also an extremely creative individual with a great love of literature, so she would read me books and poetry most evenings. As a result, I loved writing and storytelling and dreamed of being a novelist. At age 11, I decided to combine writing and music and began songwriting, soon discovering it was my true passion.
What’s been happening recently?
Honestly, so much! I’m releasing my next single, Rosé Glow on July 21st. The single is a prelude to my debut EP, The 11th Hour, set to be released in August. It’s been a very busy (but rewarding) few months and I can’t wait to share the songs with everyone. I’m so very proud of this EP. I’ve been writing songs since I was 11 and have wanted to release them for almost as long, but always struggled with lack of confidence and self-doubt. You could say, I kept leaving my music till ‘The 11th Hour’. I’ve been sitting on some of these songs for years (one since I was 14), so to finally release this EP feels surreal. Apart from that, I also have some exciting shows coming up – stay tuned on my socials for more details soon!
Your latest single ‘Rosé Glow’ from your upcoming August EP, ‘The 11th Hour’ will be out on July 21, what does this track mean to you?
Rosé Glow is the embodiment of fun – it’s sparkly, alluring and nostalgic of unforgettable nights out with friends. It’s the type of song you add to your ‘getting ready’ playlist and sing whilst doing your makeup and having pre-drinks with friends. It also dabbles in a bit of fantasy – blurring the lines between reality and possibility. Rosé Glow is also very special to me as it was also my first collaboration. I do the majority of my songwriting alone in my bedroom (which I love), but I wrote this one with Gabrielle Emery (‘EMEREE’). It was such an enjoyable experience, especially considering EMEREE and I have such a lovely friendship. It all came together so naturally.
How did the single come about?
I was in the studio with my producer EMEREE and I had another song in mind for The 11th Hour. However, after we started producing it, it just didn’t feel right or seem to slot in with the other tracks. We then decided to just write a song together, so we brainstormed and decided we wanted it to be a fun, pop song people would listen to whilst getting ready with their friends. We wrote up until the end of the first chorus together and then I took it home and finished the remainder of the lyrics that very night because I just loved it so much.
We recorded the majority of it at Gabrielle Emery’s home studio and then were lucky enough to record the rest at a state of the art studio (which was so cool). Working on Rosé Glow at the home studio was so enjoyable though. EMEREE and I often went on coffee walks and lunch outings – we drank one too many aperol spritzes and recorded my final vocal in her wardrobe (it was the quietest place we could find haha). EMEREE produced and mixed the track and it was mastered by Darren Ziesing.
What influenced the sound and songwriting for your upcoming EP?
My songwriting is influenced by my experiences and those around me. This collection of songs reflect my life for the past 7 years. From childish infatuation, to feeling isolated, alone and unwanted, to just enjoying time with friends, to falling in love once (and then falling again), to sisterhood and ensuring that loved ones are in healthy, positive relationships, The 11th Hour divulges my feelings, experiences and observations.
How did the musical creation process take place?
The 11th Hour includes 5 songs I’ve written over the past 7 years. I write songs as an outlet and a way to process and express what I’m experiencing and feeling. Therefore, I wrote the majority of these songs alone (in my bedroom with my guitar or at the piano). However, Rosé Glow was a joint effort (written by EMEREE and I).
I discovered EMEREE and loved her production style, so we began working together. I approached her with voice memos of my songs – I’d just recorded myself singing them (accompanied by piano or guitar) into my phone. The first song I played her was Fall Twice (maybe my favourite track on the EP). She instantly loved it and actually kept the piano from my original voice memo and even the squeak of my old pedal. It can be heard throughout the track, but predominantly in the introduction and first verse!
All in all, it’s been an incredibly rewarding and enjoyable experience. I’m grateful to have met EMEREE, who has brought my songs to life so perfectly.
Where and when did you record/produce/master and who did you work with?
The 11th Hour was produced and mixed by EMEREE and mastered by Darren Ziesing. We began working on the EP in September of 2022. We did the bulk of the recording/producing at Gabrielle’s home studio and also at a couple of other, very nice and cool studios.
What do you have planned for The 11th Hour?
Rosé Glow is a prelude to my debut EP, The 11th Hour, set to be released in August. 11 has always felt like my lucky number. I was born on the 11th and at age 11, I began writing songs. I have also procrastinated releasing my music for many years, despite having wanted to so desperately. I struggled with self-belief and the confidence to properly pursue my passion.
To finally record this EP has been the most fulfilling, rewarding, enjoyable and emotionally chaotic experience. The 11th Hour is composed of 5 songs – I’ve been sitting on some of them for years (I wrote Boy in the Shadow at age 14!). To finally release them is the most surreal feeling. I was lucky enough to meet and befriend EMEREE, who is an extraordinary producer and has brought these songs to life so perfectly.
I am so excited to share it with you in August and keep your eyes peeled for some exciting shows and videos?!
How did you balance your legal studies with your music?
Google Calendar.
In all seriousness, it’s sometimes a struggle. I find myself neglecting my studies or sometimes my music, depending on the week. I try to stay organised, keep on top of due dates and complete my work as soon as I receive it. Obviously, at times I procrastinate and end up with a mountain of things to do. That’s when I have a cry about it. I hope to one day make a full-time career out of music and wave goodbye to my legal studies. However, for now I’m juggling both and managing!
Your family consists of a father who is a musician (Bass player and classically trained pianist), mother who is a writer, brother who is a musician and plays in a traditional greek rebetiko band, how has this influenced your music?
My dad influenced me because without him, I wouldn’t have constantly been surrounded and exposed to a large variety of music. He also was responsible for teaching me guitar and piano and bought me my first guitar (a Taylor, because he knows I love Taylor Swift). We still regularly jam out together and he played bass on a few of the tracks on my upcoming EP (Memory of You, Boy in the Shadow and Fall Twice).
My mum, although not a musician herself, is such a creative individual and during my childhood, she would constantly be writing stories, drawing and reading my brother and I books and poetry every night. This resulted in my great love for words and crafting stories of my own. From a very young age, I decided I wanted to be a novelist, but after discovering my love for songwriting, I realised that was my true passion.
My brother is insanely talented. He’s a multi-instrumentalist (he plays guitar, piano, violin and has a beautiful voice). He is also in the process of learning bouzouki. He’s one of my closest friends and inspires me to practise guitar and piano more haha! He’s very in touch with our Greek heritage, which I really admire.
Constantly being surrounded by such musical and creative individuals has shaped who I am immensely. My parents have always encouraged creativity, imagination and inquisitiveness. I don’t think I would have discovered my passion for songwriting without them.
Who are you listening to at the moment?
Taylor Swift (ALWAYS). Speak Now (Taylor’s Version) is on repeat.
I’m also currently obsessed with The Good Witch (Maisie Peters) and Gretta Ray’s new singles from her upcoming album Positive Spin (Heartbreak Baby makes me go feral in the best way possible).
What do you like to do away from music?
Spending time with friends and family, nature/beach walks, cooking dates, cuddling my dog and taking him for walks (the cutest standard poodle ever), journaling and reading.
What’s planned for the remainder of 2023?
Well, The 11th Hour is set to be released… so there are many exciting things planned surrounding that…
Favourite food and place to hangout?
Burrito bowls. At friends houses making burrito bowls.
