Alex Lahey has had the type of year that most young musicians dream of. Critical acclaim, constant touring, a shout out from Pitchfork, winning the Josh Pyke Partnership Grant, being nominated for the J Award and releasing an eagerly anticipated record.
Wrapping up some shows in Perth, and about to head to Parramatta to take her place amongst a stacked lineup for The Plot this weekend, Alex reflects on her massive year.
“The way that this year has kinda seemed to me is that things have fallen into place after quite a bit of work in the years leading up to it. It just so happens that, I don’t know, things fell into place. And I guess the cherry on top of all that was getting to put the record out, which I’ve worked really hard for.”
“By the time it was all done it was very much ready to be heard by other people,” she adds, “and it was just very humbling to have it so well-received by general listeners, let alone the media and radio, who have been so supportive this whole time.”
Lahey was still shocked about the Pitchfork mention, a ‘Best New Track’ nod for breakthrough single ‘You Don’t Think You Like People Like Me’.
“That was one of those things that I can’t really believe happened. It was just a real pat on the back. A lot of artists that I really admire and will listen to for the rest of my life are written about on Pitchfork.”
Lahey also elaborated a bit on the pros and cons of the touring lifestyle. “It’s been great. It’s been a lot of bits and pieces here and there, rather than a whole ‘tour’, which is fun, but it’s also hard to keep track of where you are. It’s been awesome.
“Touring is one of those things that takes getting good at, and I think that we’ve gotten good at it. We’ve graduated to a van, as opposed to hire car status, which is nice.”
“On a personal level, it’s that I can’t sustain a day job anymore,” she adds, “which is a dream come true – and also a harder time, financially. It just got to the point where I had a choice, that I had to make this work, and I’d need to make some sacrifices, which was having a nice, stable income.
“Now I work for myself, so that’s really fun, being autonomous, but it was very much a leap of faith, kind of into my own hands, which made it even scarier.”
With The Plot festival coming up this weekend, Alex is also excited to finally play a festival in Sydney and catch up with some of her friends on the bill.
“The lineup is awesome, and just about all of them are Aussie musos that are touring hard, and you cross paths with all of them when you’re at an airport or at each other’s shows. Seeing everyone who’s going, and it’s all our mates, we’re very excited. It’s just a good vibe, both on and off stage, and hopefully that permeates to the crowd.”
“I’m really excited to see Amy Shark, I haven’t seen her yet and we’re really excited to see her set. Japanese Wallpaper is great too. He’s a Thirsty Merc fanatic, and there’s always something to talk about,” she laughs. “Montaigne as well, she’s just come off a tour. I saw her on tour and she was great.”
Speaking about the Australian music scene and what the future has in store, Alex seems optimistic and excited.
“Just about every area of Aussie music is having some Golden Age. It’s really exciting to be a part of that, and humbling to be invited to play these shows with these talented artists who are all part of this thing, where we’re all connected to everyone. There’s none of that competitiveness in the Australian scene, which surprises people because it’s so small.”
“I don’t know, I decided like 10 years ago that I wanted to be a musician. I was a saxophone player at the time, but even when it was different and without knowing the shape of things, I had that drive. Just like someone goes to law school to pass the bar, there’s no equivalent in music but it’s still that same determination and desire to keep it up.”
Determination and a love for music are qualities Alex seems to have in spades.
“I’d love to have a really sustainable career writing songs and making music, and performing and playing with others,” she says, “I have absolutely no desire to come and go. This is what I love doing, and I’d love to have a really wonderful career in music.”
“That’s what I’m working towards. I have no interest in being another flash in the pan. That doesn’t appeal to me. Some people are down with that, you know? Touring is hard, and being in the studio is hard, and not having set hours in your day and not knowing where you’re gonna be from one month to the next is an adjustment, but it’s also exciting.”
Alex Lahey will be playing The Plot in Parramatta this Saturday November 19, while Victorian fans will be able to catch her at Beyond The Valley Festival from December 28 – January 1.
Feature image by Giulia Giannini McGauran via Alex Lahey
