A Quick Chat with Paisley Heart

How did you get into music?

Music has always been my portal to deeper vulnerability and unapologetic expression. Growing up in rural NSW, where everyone seemed to follow the same blueprint, I craved something bigger—something more colorful. Music became my escape, my rebellion, and ultimately, my gateway into a world that felt limitless.

You do quite a lot outside of music, can you tell us a little bit about that?

Beyond music, I have a deep-rooted history as a therapist and sex educator, which has given me the privilege of working closely with the community in a variety of ways. Whether it’s through radio, TV, and podcasts, facilitating workshops at festivals and raves, speaking on panels and stages, leading personal development retreats, or working one-on-one with clients, my work is all about fostering connection, education, and empowerment.

How does this influence the music you write?

For me, it’s all about duality. Take a song like Suck Me Off—it’s ridiculous, salacious, and bold. Society constantly demands seriousness, and a lot of my work is serious—political, intentional, and deeply caring. But that kind of work is too serious to only be serious. This track was born out of pure play—just freestyling in the studio, joking around, and someone blurted out “suck me off.” Instead of filtering ourselves, we leaned into the humor and ran with it. It became a reminder that self-expression doesn’t always have to be profound—sometimes, it’s just about having fun.

Your new track ‘Suck Me Off’ features Hollywould Star – how did your collaboration come about?

Hollywould Star and I first connected while performing at Barba, an iconic queer techno and performance art party. From the get-go, our dynamic was effortless—we bounced between chaotic banter and heart-centered conversations, with a lot of oral jokes in the mix. So when it came time to find a feature for this track, it was a no-brainer. Hollywould brought the perfect mix of camp and charisma to Suck Me Off, and I wouldn’t have wanted anyone else on it!

You recently spoke at Sydney Town Hall, how was this experience for you and what did you talk about?

It was definitely not on my 2025 bingo card to be standing in the Lord Mayor’s reception room, speaking to local councillors—including Clover Moore—about queer sex and liberation. But here we are! I shared personal stories about discovering my queerness and how sex-on-premises venues provided a rare space free of judgment for that exploration. I wrapped up my talk by advocating for a loosening of Sydney’s rigid SOP licensing laws and the outdated policies around sex-positivity—especially when compared to places like Berlin.

The conversation didn’t end there—I now have follow-up meetings with council members to discuss how we can actually implement change. Fingers crossed!

There are not many artists doing what you do, how do you have the confidence to push the boundaries so much?

That’s a loaded question. I was homeless at 16, with no parents, no teachers, no authority figures guiding me. I had to learn how to survive on my own, which meant breaking rules, pushing limits, and creating a path for myself when it felt like the world didn’t want me in it. That survival instinct became a part of me, and now, instead of just surviving, I use it to create—unapologetically.

Thank you for talking to us – is there any advice you can give to other artists who may be aspiring to push the boundaries with their art?

Choose impact over profit. Choose meaning over metrics.

With social media, Spotify, and other numbers-driven platforms shaping so much of our industry, it’s easy to fall into the trap of playing it safe—creating what’s trending, what algorithms reward, or what will make gatekeepers more likely to say "yes."

But the artists who have shaped culture—Michael Jackson, Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar, Prince, and most recently, Chappell Roan—didn’t follow trends. They made impact their priority. If you have something to say, say it loudly.