FELONY. is a young alternative pop artist from the backstreets of Brisbane, Australia.
Her brand new second single ‘Bag of Youth’ is packed with strained sarcasm, fear, and the need to be heard. We had a chat with the artist to learn more about her!
Image by @blokeyoucantrust
You recently supported Brisbane’s Selfish Sons on their national tour - what was that experience like?
"I’m gonna answer this and try not to sound insanely dramatic, but genuinely was one of the best weeks of my life. Was the kind of moment that really just gave me faith in humanity and seeing first-hand how music can connect people is just so fulfilling and mind-blowing. I live for playing shows more than anything and just ultimately just loved being surrounded by the kindest and realest people ever. Also, I think we got a total of 4hrs sleep over 5 days so that made everything even more wild and dreamy hahaha."
How did you meet your band members?
"Well I’m making a record with producer Cody McWaters (King Stingray, The Chats, Selfish Sons, etc), he’s just the best human and really took me under his wing and introduced me to so many new people in the scene. Then when it came to putting a live show together, I’ve been so lucky to be able to play with some of those friends and yeah, it’s just been the dream."
The question that divides Brisbane… Northside or Southside, and why?
"Southside baby! Where is the Northside? I don’t know if anyone has ever laid eyes on it. Northside isn’t real, the conspiracy is confirmed."
Congratulations on being a QMA finalist! What was the feeling like when you received the news?
"Thank you so much! The email went to my spam folder so I had a fairly delayed reaction haha, but yeah pretty stoked. An award for music is a confusing concept but it’s really cool to be acknowledged and I just can’t wait to go and see a lot of people who I look up to there."
Time to give some local businesses some love. What are your go-to restaurants or cafes in Brisbane?
"Look in my mind this is common knowledge but there’s a Vietnamese place called Cafe O Mai right near the studio we record at in Moorooka and it just sends me to the flooooor. "
You've just bumped out of a gig, it's after midnight, where's your go to for a late night kebab?
"I’m not 100% sure about kebabs specifically but I reckon our usual go-to is Ben’s Burgers in the Valley! Pre show, post-show, day, night, asleep, awake, all the time - it’s so good."
Brisbane’s music scene is so vibrant with so many different genres and bands. What local acts have you been digging lately?
"Kieran Stevenson, WALTA, Full Flower Moon Band, Hayley Marsten, EGOISM, Safety Club, Eliza and the Delusionals. They’re putting out shit that’s fresh and interesting and there’s nothing worse in my mind than hearing music that’s not coming from a real place and there’s no danger or difference in it at all.
I just can’t wait for bigger companies and platforms to give artists that are pushing boundaries and making stuff that’s real more space or airtime or whatever. Genuinely though, I do feel a change around the corner in the industry and that’s a big part of why I am so passionate about pushing things forward."
What venue in Brisbane would you love to play that you haven’t yet and why?
"Dream venues are The Tivoli and Riverstage. I’ve been dreaming about playing Riverstage since I was 9y/o and playing drums in my garage so I cannot wait until the day that happens."
If you could create a tour with yourself and two other Brisbane based artists/bands, who would they be and why?
"Ok this is hard. Me, Jaguar Jonze and Full Flower Moon Band, that would just be fucked up beyond belief. "
From photographers to visual artists, videographers or booking agents, do you have any Brisbane creatives that you’d like to give a shout out to?
"So many but I’ll try to narrow it down. I’ve been working really closely with Sam Neil who’s directing + shooting the music video for my latest single and he is just an absolute genius and legend. Emily Hopley who’s a creative/producer and the studio manager out at Airlock Studios has also just been such a saviour in helping me navigate the industry. But to be real, I’m just so grateful to everyone who has given me advice and pointed me in the right direction during these early stages.
Those guys know who they are and yeah, I’ve been welcomed into the scene with so much love and support and it couldn’t be more appreciated."
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