Lea G is on a quest towards stardom. From humble beginnings in – as she puts it – “in the middle of nowhere in Austria”, the singer-songwriter was introduced to classical music at a young age, singing in a choir and beginning to learn the violin. As a teen, she discovered the magic of pop, and quickly became enticed by the world of popular music. After undertaking an exchange year in the UK at the age of 16, she fell in love with the culture, and moved to England at 18 to study. Since then, she has gone on to release two sublime EP’s, YOU(TH) and SURVIVAL MODE, progressing her artistry emphatically over the past few years. Exploring the intricacies of pop, indie and folk, Lea has become a striking and fluid artist who is constantly evolving in her creativity.
Earlier this month, Lea unveiled her first song of the new year, “Love of My Life”, a poignant, powerful and quietly devastating rendition of the Queen original that showcases the soulstress’ soaring vocal ability. A heartbreaking number with searing emotional potency, it’s the latest illustration of Lea’s talent. It will shortly be followed by a new single, “EMPATH”, which was co-written with Nashville songwriter Blake Densmore and produced by BROOKFIELD (Anne Marie, Charlie XCX). All of this is leading up to the highly anticipated release of her third EP, SEPERATION ANXIETY, poised for a late autumn release, which looks set to be a six-pronged deep dive into mental health and the difficulties of being a young adult in the modern day.
Ahead of the release of “EMPATH”, we chatted with Lea G to discuss the new single, her provoking journey to this point, and the progression of her style.
Watch the visual for “Love of My Life”:
Read the full interview below!
Who influences you?
Music wise, I am currently obsessed with listening to Florence’s new album “Dance Fever“ and of course – Phoebe Bridgers and up-coming female songwriters from across the pond like Quinnie, Ethel Cain and Carol Ades. One of my favourite visual artists whose art I feel super touched and inspired by is @sunlightafterdark on Instagram – her beautiful drawings and lines really speak to me. I get bored super easily though, so I am sure if you ask me the same question next week, I’ll be inspired by completely different people again.
How did you first discover an interest in music? How did that interest become a passion and eventually a career path?
I grew up in the middle of nowhere in Austria, so the only music I was exposed to when I was little was classical and traditional Austrian music. My mum is really into classical music so I grew up being obsessed with the likes of Mozart, Bach, Beethoven etc and then only really grew to like pop music when I started writing it myself at age 12. However, my primary school had a choir, so from 6 years old I was singing every week and my singing teacher started giving me solo lessons only a couple months later. I then started playing the violin at age 10, and quickly gave up because everyone else in my group was younger and a lot better than me, and discovered that I preferred playing guitar so I could accompany myself singing. I found Ed Sheeran and instantly thought „if a Ginger dude with a tiny guitar can do it, maybe I can, too“ and started writing songs.
But I never thought of songwriting and being an artist to be an actual career until I left Austria for 10 months, aged 16, to do an exchange year in the UK. I quickly realised I loved being on stage and performing my songs to people who wanted to listen, during my studies in Bexhill on Sea.
When I returned to Austria to finish my A-levels, I kept missing being in the UK and started looking into how I could make a career in music work, whilst busking on the streets to fund my first single release. I got super passionate writing songs about the stuff that was happening around me, started posting online and playing small shows to friends and family.
Austria has a tiny music industry that isn’t focussed on pop music with English lyrics, and because I had fallen in love with England during my exchange year, I decided to move to London to give my music a proper shot at age 19. I attended a course in Music Business at Notting Hill Academy and started gigging around London, writing and collaborating with lots of new people and releasing more music. It was super hard at first, because I didn’t know anyone when moving from the Austrian countryside to a huge city like London, the culture shock and being hundreds of miles away from family really had its toll on me. But the more people I met and the more music I got to make, the more London started feeling like home and I couldn’t Imagine living anywhere else now.
How would you define the essence of your style?
I would say vulnerable lyrics, nostalgic melodies and big arrangements made for anyone who feels a lot and wants to feel like they are not alone.
How did it feel to have a positive reception for last year’s EP?
It felt awesome! I got to tour Europe with my friend and artist Jenem which was super fun. Another Highlight was my Headline Show at The Courtyard Theatre in London in November. But I think the best thing about releasing SURVIVAL MODE, was to see how many people resonated with the songs – it’s such an introspective project and it was so special for me to see people relate to my stories.
How has your style progressed since then?
My next project feels like the natural progression of my writing and sound. Since SURVIVAL MODE, I have learnt a lot about myself and this clearly shows on the next record. The only thing that hasn’t changed is the vulnerability in my storytelling – all of my new songs are written from a very deep place and I am really hoping they will resonate with you.
What was the creative process behind “EMPATH”? What’s the personal meaning behind the song?
I wrote most of “EMPATH” on my own in my bedroom last year and kinda forgot about its existence, until I had a zoom co-writing session with my friend Blake Densmore from Nashville. We were talking about feeling too much and not being able to separate yourself from other people’s feelings – feeling like you have a responsibility to help them and be there for them all the time, and forgetting about yourself because of it. I remembered writing the song and played it to Blake, who loved it and helped me finish it along with Brookfield who then recorded and produced it with me. As a highly sensitive and emotional person, taking care of myself and caring for myself, as much as I do about others, is still something I am working on. “EMPATH” is for anyone who can relate to that.
What do you want listeners to take away from the listen?
Like with all my songs, I want you to feel seen and understood – that you’re not the only one feeling this way. With “EMPATH” specifically , I hope it helps you process your emotions towards others and makes you see that you’re not alone feeling overwhelmed by people’s emotions.
What can we expect from your upcoming third EP?
A lot of vulnerability and directness in my lyrics – I have never been prouder of anything I’ve ever made. SEPARATION ANXIETY will be huge! I wish I could tell you more but you will have to wait a little longer.
Where do you want to take your artistry?
I have always wanted my artistry and music to go hand in hand along with my personal growth as a woman, a person who is alive during this strange time we currently call 2023. I am hoping as I develop and learn more about me as a person, my music and artistry will reflect that. My inner and outer world will always be the space I want to create from and what I want to be reflected in my songs and visuals.
Why do you make music?
What a great question! I think at the core I make music to understand myself better, to process emotions, and make sense of my feelings. On top of that, nothing is more beautiful in this world than to connect with others through music, and to feel that my songs can make a difference for someone else to feel seen and understood.