Ever sine they first emerged, Australian artist LION has always looked to maintain a fresh and distinctive edge in which to call their own. And with their recent album ‘RECLAMATION’ currently doing the rounds, they are now continuing the support for their recent LP with the pulsing electro-pop anthem ‘Break The Binary’.
So with the new tracks available now, we joined them in conversation to discover more about their background and plans for the future as well.
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Can you tell us a bit about your background and how you got started in music?
Thanks so much for having me IndieGrid! My name is LION and I’m an Ethiopian-Australian electropop artist based in Naarm (Melbourne). I got my start in music through my fascination with various EDM styles like dubstep, trance and future bass when I was younger, leading me to learn music production. Then I developed my vocals and performance through musical theatre in high school, but when I found my love for songwriting, I knew that was my true passion.
Who are your biggest musical influences and how have they shaped your sound?
So many different artists influence different facets of my artistry. In terms of my production style, I’m very inspired by Porter Robinson, Zedd and SOPHIE (R.I.P). When it comes to my live performance and stage presence, I look up to Beyonce, Tinashe, as well as K-pop acts such as Taemin, Chungha and CL. My rap flow takes influence from rappers like Quay Dash, Nicki Minaj, as well as iconic ballroom commentators such as Kevin JZ Prodigy. My influences are wide-ranging and they culminate in my artist project, LION.
Was there a specific moment or experience that made you decide to pursue music seriously?
I don’t think there was a specific moment, I think several moments collectively inspired me to take music more seriously. I knew back in early high school that I wanted to pursue music as a career, but my very first headline show was a real turning point for me. Looking out at the crowd and seeing the unwavering support from my community was just euphoric. From there I’ve played bigger stages like Midsumma Carnival and Sydney World Pride to name a few, and those amazing experiences have just driven me to work harder at my craft.
Can you walk us through your typical songwriting process?
The initial stages of writing a song often varies to be honest! Sometimes I start writing songs through poetry, so the lyrics come first. Sometimes I make a beat and put a rap or melody to it, and other times the melody/chord progression comes first. Either way, the Voice Memos app on my phone is full of beginning song ideas, so I’m frequently recording my ideas on-the-go. From there, I usually take the song idea into Ableton on my laptop and develop it further.
How do you find inspiration for your music and lyrics?
Inspiration comes from so many places, and I feel like it’s partly due to my nature as a person. I’m a very observant, curious person, I love sitting down and just taking in my surroundings, becoming aware of the sounds around me. This curiosity makes it very easy to find inspiration out of anything. I once sampled the ticking noise of a traffic light crossing and made a rhythmic synth riff out of it. I also use music as a vivid means of catharsis, so my internal state, my emotions, they’re always sources of inspiration for me.
What themes or messages do you hope listeners take away from your music?
I think the title of my debut EP ‘Reclamation’ explains my artistic intention perfectly. My aim is to encourage people to reclaim their narratives, stand in their power, express themselves unapologetically and find strength in being vulnerable. I also always wanna provoke conversation and thought around world issues, politics, social justice etc.
What challenges have you faced as an emerging artist in the music industry?
Ever since I started making music, I knew that locally there weren’t many artists like me, and I think this has been my greatest challenge. As a genderfluid BIPOC electro-pop artist, a lot of audiences don’t know where to place me or don’t necessarily get what I do, and that can feel isolating. Thankfully I’ve found a community of artists/creatives who either make, or understand the eclectic world of pop music, and I’m so grateful for that. I’m also surrounded by the most supportive team I could ever ask for, which I’m very appreciative of too.
What has been the most rewarding aspect of your musical journey so far?
The most rewarding aspect has definitely been witnessing my music connect with, and impact people in visceral ways. I’ve had people come up to me and say that my music makes them feel confident and empowered, that my performances inspire them. Art is nothing without community, and I tell my story through music so that people can relate. The fact that I’m adding meaning to people’s lives through art is truly an honour.
How do you stay true to yourself and your artistry in a constantly evolving industry?
I always go back to my artistic values. If you stay true to your values and beliefs, you’ll be able to stay true to yourself. For me, one of the main reasons I create music is for catharsis and self-expression, so I often go inward and become introspective to work out what emotions I want to convey in a song, and then I decipher how this relates to the wider world. I also value social justice, empathy, and truth; my work is inherently political and I feel it is a duty to talk about world issues in my music.
What can fans expect from you in the near future? Any upcoming projects or tours?
I’ve just released my debut EP ‘Reclamation’, which is out on all platforms if you wanna have a listen! So I’ll be prepping for some interstate shows next year which I’m excited about (and are yet to be announced), as well as writing a bunch of new songs for my next body of work.
Where do you see yourself and your music career in the next five years?
I see myself playing bigger stages, bigger festivals, and overall taking this project international. I’m super keen to explore music scenes in places like the UK, Europe, the US, and Brazil and connect with fans all over the world. As Maya Angelou once said: “I come as one, but I stand as 10,000”, and this is my motto as I achieve greater success, because I’m proudly representing the communities I’m a part of wherever I go.
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Watch the new video for LION’s ‘Break The Binary’ below.
