Your new single, “Just a Dog,” is incredibly personal and raw. Could you tell us more about the inspiration behind the song and how it connects to your previous single, “Why Won’t We”?

Just a Dog in a way is sort of part 2 to the song Why Won’t We. I wrote Why Won’t We first and it was very much about what I was going through at the time. I then moved to London and in a way the scenario still followed me. I felt like a dog chasing my tail and that’s where Just a Dog came from – I was still falling for the same person and or order to get over it I had to write it as though I was telling him.

You mentioned that “Just a Dog” was written during your first winter in London. How did the environment and your experiences in that season influence the emotional tone and lyrics of the track?

I don’t know if you’ve ever experienced a London winter, but WOAH I underestimated it. I think for me, it was pretty hard to write about anything positive at the time. You can really hear the emotion in the track. I was listening to a lot of Mitski, who’s just stunning and can really hammer down an emotion. It really inspired me to dig deep and really feel what I needed to feel.

Your upcoming third EP, when i’m feeling better we could dream together, explores a variety of emotions and sonic landscapes. Can you share how this EP represents your artistic evolution compared to your previous projects?

This project forced me to dig really deep into myself. I didn’t want to hide behind a bravado or persona and that really challenged me to feel what I needed to feel and move through things.

At the time of writing the first track, Breathe, I couldn’t listen to sad music anymore. I was stuck in lockdown in October 2021 and couldn’t bring myself to write about anything sad. I instead tried to search for hope and that was what got me through some much over the past few years.

The EP features production from Grammy Award-nominated professionals such as Andrew Maury and Emily Lazar. How did their involvement shape the overall sound of the record, and what was it like working with them?

Truely incredble! To be able to work with some of the people who have literally had their hands on some of the tracks that’ve been really influential over the years. Both, incredible and lovely people.

“Just a Dog” and other tracks on the EP balance moments of vulnerability with uplifting sonic elements. How important is it for you to mix introspection with hope in your music?

It’s been super important for me in the project. Even if a song is sad in its theme, it needs to have a climax or a lift. I really wanted each feeling to be celebrated and feel empowering like… isn’t it amazing to just be alive?

You’ve spoken about the journey of creating the EP during the COVID lockdown and how it influenced the themes of hope. Can you expand on the role of resilience and positivity in your songwriting during this period?

It was something I kind of subconsciously forced myself to do. I had to be resilient because for me there was no other way forward. I was really lucky to start working with Will (EP’s co-producer) at the time. I think it was almost like therapy and got me through it.

You’re performing your first-ever Australian show in Melbourne at The Evelyn Hotel on May 3rd. What are you most excited about for this milestone performance, and what can Australian fans expect from your set?

I’m SO excited to be playing Australia finally! I adore Melbourne and have so many good friends there! The show has just been so fun to build, I’m so excited about it. It’s a journey in a way and also got a great cover in there too.

Having built a reputation in both New Zealand and London, how has the experience of living and performing in different cities shaped your approach to music and your connection with diverse audiences?

It’s been incredibly rewarding to perform in both NZ and London. I’ve been enjoying getting to know different audiences and seeing that it’s almost the same in NZ. I think the UK really values fresh, new sounds, whereas NZ really looks after developing artists.

It hasn’t changed my approach to creating music or performing music, but perhaps how and who I share it to.