Artist Rance Lazarus drops in for a special interview.

How and where did it all begin for you? What drew your interest to the music industry?

I began playing piano by ear at the age of five and have been passionate about music ever since. Growing up in a musical family, music was always an integral part of our lives and gatherings, which naturally nurtured my love for it. At eight, my dad enrolled me in guitar lessons, and I’ve continued to play ever since. My passion for song writing started when I first heard John Mayer’s “Gravity” at 17. From that moment, I knew I wanted to pursue a career as a singer-songwriter, with the dream of sharing my music with the world.

What motivates or influences you in your quest to make great music?

Artists like LANY, John Mayer, The 1975, Coldplay, and Ed Sheeran are a huge inspiration to me. Their music feels like a safe space where I can truly let go and experience whatever emotions I need to. They have this incredible ability to connect with listeners on such a deep level, and that’s what drives me in my own music. I aspire to create songs that resonate with others, offering them the same sense of comfort, release, and emotional connection that my favourite artists provide for me. Being able to touch someone’s heart through music is the ultimate goal, and it’s what keeps me motivated to keep writing and performing.

What are some of your biggest goals you hope to accomplish?

Right now, my main goal is to build a community and fan base that resonates with my music and connects with it on a personal level. I’m focused on reaching the right audience—people who can truly relate to the stories I tell through my songs. Beyond that, I aim to perform at major festivals, have one of my tracks featured in a TV show or film, and eventually go on a national tour. These are the milestones I’m striving toward as I continue to grow as an artist.

What can we expect from you in the coming months? Any plans to tour?

There’s definitely more music on the way! I plan to release one more new song before the year ends and then head back into the studio early next year to start writing and recording more tracks. I’m also planning to do a national tour sometime next year, and if possible, I’d love to play a few gigs in Sydney as well.

Tell us a bit about your latest release and how would you best describe your music?

“Butterflies” is a song I wrote about someone who, after nearly giving up on love, finally meets someone who seems like they might be the perfect match. It captures the excitement of the early stages of dating, where everything feels new and full of potential—the shared moments, the anticipation, and the hope that this person might truly be ‘the one.’ The butterflies you feel at the beginning, those moments of nervous excitement, symbolize the optimism of love. But in this story, those butterflies eventually fly away, and the relationship falls apart, leading the couple to go their separate ways. Even though things don’t work out, the song ends with a sense of optimism, promising that those butterflies will return again one day—and when they do, they’ll stay for good. My music has evolved from soft rock to country, and now it blends elements of indie pop. Most of my songs focus on different expressions of love.

Give us an insight into your creative process. What gets you writing songs?

For me, it all starts with a feeling in the moment. I create a chord progression, add a groove, and then improvise melodies and lyrics. If I’m happy with certain melodies and lyrics, I record it on voice memos. Once the lyrics, melody, and vibe all fit together, I know it’s got the potential to become a song. Most of my songs are drawn from personal experiences, stories from others, and a mix of imagination.

Success, what is the secret to it?

I wouldn’t say I’ve fully achieved my dreams just yet and been successful. While I’m writing and performing music, there’s still a lot more to accomplish before I can call it true success. Every small step I take brings me closer to my dream. Creating, writing, and performing my songs makes me happiest, and I believe the key to success is doing what you love, working hard, and always believing in yourself.

What has been your biggest career highlight so far?

My biggest career highlight so far is having my song  “Spend a Little Time With Me” placed in  The Top Songs of the Year for the RSOM community in 2023. Additionally, my music video for “I Fell For You (Again)” premiered at the St Kilda Film Festival alongside other releases from bands like Midnight Oil, Spit Enz, and The Models. I also had the opportunity to perform at Craigieburn Festival, where I supported Conrad Sewell

Which stars of the music industry do you find inspiring?

I look up to artists like John Mayer, LANY, Coldplay, and The 1975 for their incredible hard work, dedication, and the inspiring journeys they’ve taken to reach their current status in the music industry. Watching their growth reminds me that success is a journey that requires perseverance and passion, and it inspires me to continue working toward my own musical dreams.

Are there any new projects in the pipeline?

At the moment I have one song that’s finished which should be released by the end of this year. I will be back in the studio early next year to write and record some new songs. 

The music industry is constantly changing, where do you see yourself a few years?

In the coming years, I envision myself performing in front of larger audiences and reaching more people with my music. I aspire for my songs to gain international recognition and go on tour. 

What is your favourite and least favourite part about this line of work and why?

My favourite part of being a singer-songwriter is the joy it brings me, especially when I see people connecting with my songs and singing along at my shows. While creating a song is a significant achievement, the real fulfillment comes from that audience engagement. On the other hand, my least favourite aspect of being an independent singer-songwriter is dealing with the financial challenges and limited income. It can be tough to maintain a sustainable lifestyle solely as a local artist unless you reach a larger level of success.

Name a few of your favourite Australian artists.

The main two artist I admire from Australia are Keith Urban and Guy Sebastian. Keith Urban has had a big influence on my music and he’s an amazing songwriter and guitarist. 

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?

Most people, including myself, discover new music through social media, with TikTok being one of the main platforms where emerging artists are found. It’s an incredible tool for sharing music globally, but breaking through the algorithm can be extremely challenging. I’ve realized that in order to grow as a musician, I need to post consistently and engage with my fans. Promoting my music has been a challenge, especially with radio promotion, but I remain focused on reaching an international audience through the use of social media. Although social media can feel overwhelming at times, it’s one of the most effective ways to build a community and expand as an artist. The music industry is highly competitive, with so many talented artists out there. If I want to be one of the few to sell out Rod Laver Arena or Marvel Stadium, I need to keep standing out and connecting with the right audience who will resonate with my music.

How will you continue appealing to the international market?

I believe the best way to reach an international audience is through social media and getting airplay on radio stations in different countries. Another option would be to travel abroad and perform regularly to promote my music, although that depends on finances.

Do you like to collaborate with others? Who is on your wish-list?

I haven’t had the opportunity to collaborate with others yet but I would love to one day write a song alongside John Mayer or LANY. 

What advice do you give for other artists wanting to follow in your footsteps?

If music makes you happy and it’s what you’re passionate about, then give it a shot and give it all you can. It’s not an easy industry, that’s for sure. You may feel like giving up at times but it’s those times that remind you how empty life without music would be. At the start of this year I bought myself a whiteboard and wrote down the small goals I want to achieve in a specific time period. All these small goals will hopefully one day lead to achieving the big goal. I know I love what I do and I don’t want to ever regret not giving my music career a chance. So continue to believe in yourself and don’t give up. 

A message for your fans. How do you best interact and respond with your followers and fans?

Thank you to all your love and support so far. Your support means the world to me and without your support it would be extremely hard to continue writing and performing my music. This is just the start and there’s a long way to go so I’m looking forward to this journey with you all. The best way to interact with me is at my live shows so I hope to see you there. Otherwise, feel free to reach out via Instagram or Tik Tok.

Any last words?

I hope you can check out my new song ‘Butterflies’ and let me know what you think. Continue to support local Australian artist as we really need your support😊

Website: rancelazmusic

Facebook: RanceLazMusic

Instagram: @rancelaz_music