Category: Lakyn

Exclusive Interview: Lakyn Heperi

theaussieword.com had the pleasure of catching up with The Voice’s Lakyn Heperi.
 
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What can you tell our readers about you? How and where did it all begin?
It all started with a skateboarding accident when I was 16, I wasn’t able to skate for about 9 months, so I had to figure out something to do and thanks to my dad (guitarist himself) for giving me a guitar for my 16th birthday. He taught me the basics and I just practiced every day and every night I didn’t plan on having a career or anything like that I just loved the feeling of learning and still do.
What had you first interested in music?
Safe to say I have a good ear for music because of my dad being in bands his whole life and just growing up around musicians and instruments everywhere around the house, so thinking back on it I was kind of destined to fall into the music world at some stage. It’s interesting how it all panned out though, seems like fate to me as corny as it sounds.
Who motivates or influences your quest to make great music?
The Beatles, Bob Dylan, Jeff Buckley and Bon Iver. They are all my biggest influences, and have had a big impact on my life, even the way I think, act, and my view on the world, so I’d have to thank all of them.
Do you have any planned tours coming up?
Nothing is locked in yet, but it is on my mind. I hope I can tour next year.
What are some of your biggest goals you hope to accomplish as an artist?
I want to tour around the world, collaborate with some of my favourite artists, share my music to as many people as I can. Most of all I want my music to be pure and honest.
What can fans expect from you in the coming months?
It’s all unfolding as it goes I guess, that’s what this whole year has done so
I’m not even sure what to expect myself haha…
Success, what is the secret to it and what has been your biggest career highlight so far?
I’m sure it would of been quite hard if I didn’t go on a TV show, but the reason I was found was because of my YouTube page where I put up videos of covers and originals at least once a week. So I’d say consistency, effort, and a lot of passion for what you do and people will recognise you for the right reasons.
Which stars of the music industry do you find inspiring?
The Beatles, Bob Dylan, Jeff Buckley and Bon Iver. I mentioned them all before. They are my inspirations.
How would you best describe you and your music to your fans?
My music is an honest collection of my thoughts, beliefs and experiences. Every single note, word and sound you hear has a meaning behind it.
What can you tell us about your latest album?
“Better Than That” is my first EP, as well as my first time in a studio working my music. I wanted it to be perfect. I have four originals and one cover all of which have a different vibe and reason why I chose them to be on my EP.

Are there any new exciting projects in the works?
No projects are in the works at the moment, just having a bit of time off to relax and spend summer with my friends and family and next year I’ll be doing as much as I can with my music, work with more people and play more gigs.
The music industry is huge, where do you see yourself a few years from now?
I’ve gone from bedroom YouTube videos to a record deal with Universal in one year, so anything really is possible. I have no expectations, only hopes that my music can reach more and more people every year…. we’ll see what happens
Name a few of your favourite Aussie artists.
My favourite Aussie artists would have to be Temper Trap, Boy & Bear, Matt Corby and John Butler.
The shape of the music industry has changed significantly over the years, including the use of social media, how do you feel about the industry as a whole and what does it mean to you in getting your records out into the public eye?
Technology changes so fast, and everything is at our hands, literally. You can go on your phone or laptop and hear a song someone made in Spain minutes ago… I think it’s awesome, I can’t imagine how hard it would have been back in the 80s without social media I wouldn’t have what I have today. So it means a lot.
Thank you for the interview! What can you leave fans of theaussieword.com with here today?
Thanks theaussieword.com, and thanks to everyone for reading into my life. Take care, see you at a gig one day hopefully!!
Website: www.lakyn.com.au
Facebook: facebook.com/LakynMusic
Twitter: @lakyn_heperi

New Music: Lakyn ‘Better Than That’

Lakyn is very excited to announce the release of his EP ‘Better Than That’ out Friday 16th November.
Honest and evocative, Better Than That is the debut EP from the 20-year-old Melbourne singer/songwriter. It’s an impressive first step for Lakyn, who’s taken two decades of inspiration (tattoos of Bon Iver and Bob Dylan adorning his arms) to create a sound all his own. Better Than That announces Lakyn as one of the country’s most promising new acts.
Whilst Lakyn shot to fame in June on the first series of The Voice, he has been carefully crafting his career for far longer. Lakyn always had a passion for music, but it wasn’t until a professional skating career was de-railed by an ankle injury that he began pouring everything into becoming a musician   Aged 18, Lakyn started posting acoustic covers of his favorite songs on youtube. After posting beautiful interpretations of songs from The Rubens, Matt Corby, MGMT, Frank Ocean and many more, he had built a huge online fan-base with over 2 million youtube streams. He caught the attention of talent scouts for TV show The Voice and the rest is history.
Lakyns time on The Voice was challenging to say the least. He won national praise after his audition of MGMT’s Kids scored him a Gold selling single but the following weeks became increasingly hard; Lakyn faced criticism as he struggled to cope with the spotlight of a 3 million+ TV audience
After his final week exit, and with fire in his belly, Lakyn bunkered down and started preparing to record his first EP. Produced by Dann Hume (Lisa Mitchell/Alpine) and written by Lakyn over the last 12 months, Better Than That is a taste of a very special talent with a point to prove.
Lakyn says he can’t wait for listeners to get a taste of what’s next. Delivering upon his promise, for Lakyn, Better Than That is just the beginning. “I only want to make the music I want to make,” Lakyn insists. “That’s what this EP is all about: being genuine.”