Melbourne/Naarm indie pop artist Tilly Fenton has had a whirlwind few weeks.
Her debut EP it’s a feeling that i know came out earlier this month, showcasing her expansive nuance as a songwriter, while capturing her cheeky, fun side. The EP’s lead track, “It’s You!”, embraces sounds from pop icons like Olivia Rodrigo and Miley Cyrus, which Fenton says were huge inspirations.
“Ever since her [Rodrigo’s] first album came out, I had always wanted to write a super upbeat, angsty and playful pop rock song after hearing ‘good 4 u’ for the first time when I was in high school. It feels pretty full circle considering this was the music I was listening to, while I was going through the experiences that inspired ‘It’s You!’,” she says.
“It’s You!” concluded the five-track EP, which showcases Fenton’s dulcet vocals over serene instrumentals and vulnerable lyricism.
Fenton is playing shows this weekend to celebrate the EP’s launch. She’ll hit up Melbourne’s Leadbeater Hotel on Saturday, October 25th, before playing at The Loft in Sydney on Sunday, October 26th. Tickets are still available via her website.
Before the upcoming shows, we caught up with the rising star as part of our Up-And-Coming Australian artists series, hearing about her blossoming career, succeeding in a tough industry, and future goals.
Tilly Fenton’s EP ‘it’s a feeling that i know’ is out now.
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Rolling Stone AU/NZ: How much did music influence you in your early life?
Tilly Fenton: Music has always been such a huge part of my life. My parents were both massive music lovers, so I grew up surrounded by it. My mum’s an incredible singer, and when I was little, she’d teach me all these songs to sing and I fell in love with it. As I got older, music just became the thing that made me feel the most myself. I loved it in every form, whether it was blasting “So What” by P!nk out the car window on the way to school, or locking myself in my room to sing “Hopelessly Devoted to You” after watching Grease for the first time. Even before I started writing my own songs, music was how I navigated growing up. It was what I turned to when I didn’t have the words yet.
What artists influenced you growing up?
I definitely think Taylor Swift and Miley Cyrus had a huge influence on me growing up. I started listening to Taylor when I was really young and have loved her music ever since. Over the years, she’s become such a role model to me, not just because of her incredible songwriting, but because of how she carries herself as an artist. She’s such a great performer with an insane work ethic, which has always been super inspiring. I was also obsessed with Hannah Montana. I used to watch the show all the time and loved the fun, catchy pop rock songs that made me want to dance around my bedroom. I was also a massive One Direction fangirl. That was probably the first time I really started dissecting songs and paying attention to the lyrics, melodies, and how everything fit together.
What are some career highlights so far?
Performing live is one of my favourite parts of being an artist, so I think a real career highlight for me was my first headline show launching my debut single “The Secret”. We sold out the venue on the day of the show, which already felt so cool, but getting to play to a room full of people who were so present, so engaged, and singing along to my music was something I’ll never forget. It was the first time I got to see the little community I’d been building online come to life, and it honestly felt so special.
Another huge career highlight for me was opening for Lexi Jayde on her Australian tour in 2023. That tour really marked the starting point of my career, I was still so new to everything, but having someone like Lexi, who I look up to so much, personally choose me to support her was incredibly special. I came out of that tour feeling so inspired and with a new sense of confidence that I could actually make a career out of this.
Tell us about your latest album/EP.
My latest EP, it’s a feeling that i know, is very much a coming of age story. I wrote these songs at a time where I was experiencing all the overwhelming emotions that come with growing up especially in your teenage years. Each song captures a different chapter of that journey, from the moments of pure joy to the ones felt a little heavier, but still carried a quiet sense of hope. It’s an emotional rollercoaster in the best way, sometimes fun and nostalgic, sometimes raw and honest. I wanted it to feel like a safe space for anyone who’s been through similar things. More than anything, I hope people can listen and feel seen, or even just find a bit of comfort in knowing they’re not alone.
What kind of personality traits and values do you believe it takes to succeed in the music industry?
I think some of the most important values to have in the music industry are patience and consistency. Leading up to the release of my debut EP, it took a long time to finish everything and really find my sound. At first, waiting was tough for me, but I learned how valuable that time actually was. It gave me space to sit with the songs, make changes, and figure out the direction I wanted to go in. I also needed that time to grow personally and figure out what I really wanted to say.
I also think you need resilience and a genuine love for what you do. There are so many ups and downs, and it’s easy to doubt yourself, so being authentic and staying true to who you are is everything. At the end of the day, I make music for myself because I love it, and I feel so grateful that it resonates with other people and that I get to turn something so personal into a career.
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How would you describe your music to a potential fan?
I’d describe my music as emotional indie pop with a bit of nostalgia and honesty at its core. It’s vulnerable and reflective, but still fun and hopeful. I write about real experiences like love, heartbreak, growing up and all the messy and beautiful parts of figuring yourself out.
My sound blends dreamy melodies with raw, honest lyrics, creating the kind of songs you can either cry to or scream in the car with your friends. More than anything, I want my music to feel like comfort, something that helps people find a bit of joy in the chaos.
What are your goals for 2025 and beyond?
Now that my EP is out and I’ve been in release mode for the past few months, I’m really excited to get back into songwriting again. It’s not that I haven’t been writing, but it can be tricky to find time to sit down and create when you’re so focused on releasing the songs that are already finished.
My goal moving forward is to write without pressure, just to experiment and see where things go, both sonically and emotionally. I really want to explore what this next era will sound and feel like. I also just want to keep performing, growing, and learning more about my craft. I love what I do so much, and I’m so excited to see where it takes me next!
