A Quick Chat with ixaras

Your debut EP Full Lover Fake Friend is out now! What inspired the focus track, and how does it reflect the themes of the EP?
This project is a collection of how I was feeling at the time navigating my relationships as a teenager, and goes through themes of doubt, and uncertainty- Following the title Full Lover Fake Friend.

At just 17, you’re releasing your debut EP while also running your own record label, Anti-Dismal. How has navigating the music industry at such a young age shaped the sound and themes of Full Lover Fake Friend?

Experiencing the scene when I did had a major influence on my sound, direction and artistry. It introduced me to people who were just as passionate about the arts, and without that- I wouldn’t even be doing music because I would have never felt safe enough to express myself. 

This community really just created a space full of support, where you were able to experiment and be who you wanted to be without judgement. Being able to put on shows for people and run an artist-led label is honestly the best, and I want to continue doing everything I can to help our music scene here in Brisbane. Because it’s those people I grew up with at shows and played music with, that helped me develop confidence to navigate the industry and pursue what I wanted to do. 

Can you give us an insight into Full Lover Fake Friend? What can listeners expect in terms of sound, lyrical themes, and the story you’re telling through this collection of songs?

There's a lot of vulnerability in this project, and yeah it’s really fucking scary to put your experiences out into the world. However I find a lot of beauty in the transparency of it. Growing up there's so much confusion, anxiety and insecurity stemming throughout teenage hood. And it’s exciting to me that people can resonate and find comfort through someone simply just talking about that and there being so much relatability.

Anti-Dismal has become a standout platform for all-ages DIY events. How did starting this initiative connect with the creative process behind your debut EP?

Anti-Dismal is a natural extension of my philosophy for connection. The reason why I love music is because of the concept of community, and how we are all able to share those experiences together. I think this directly influenced how I approached writing these songs because when we play them with the band, it’s paced almost like a conversation between everyone, and each instrument is talking to each other. 

What was the creative process like for Full Lover Fake Friend? How did you manage balancing school, life, and crafting such an introspective and dynamic debut?

My teachers have always been such major supporters in the background of my whole journey, I think because of that environment I was able to excel in what I cared about, and do my own thing. I think people need to be able to do their own thing in order to be great.

You’re set to perform at some incredible festivals and shows in support of the EP. How does it feel to bring these deeply personal songs to a live audience, and what moments are you most excited to share with fans?

There’s something special about seeing people connect with the music in real time. I’m especially excited to play Full Lover Fake Friend and Salt live. It’ll be awesome to see how certain songs can resonate.