There is only one EP you should be streaming this week, and that is Budjerah’s “Conversations”. Uplifting at its core, the seven-track drop is one brimming with soulful joy as the 20-year-old’s angelic vocals marry with jazz-filled production and sweet-sounding instrumentation, culminating in a euphoric EP. And while the new release is a thing of sonic bliss, at its core lies a message built upon heart-warming sentiments, making it all the more repeat-worthy.

“I just talked about things that had happened personally to my friends, and those conversations turned into songs,” explains the artist. “The EP is really reflective and is me talking through things that have been happening in my life over the last year.”

Upon the release of his sun-soaked EP, the artist sat down with Wonderland to talk the highs and lows of 2022, the raw conversations that sparked his EP’s messaging and his upcoming world tour. Head below to enjoy our interview with Budjerah…

Hey Budjerah! How are you doing?
I’m doing pretty good. I just arrived in London and saw some squirrels! I’ve never seen squirrels before, so I’m pretty over the moon right now.

What have been your peaks and pits of the year so far?
A peak is that I just won an APRA award for most Performed R&B/Soul Work for my song, “Higher”, which was pretty exciting. Touring with my band has been amazing! The pit was when I got tonsillitis for the first time, which sucked, but other than that, it’s been pretty alright.

And how did you first get into music?
All my family are musicians, so I grew up around music and in church. I love to sing every day. My dad taught me how to sing and write. I don’t do anything else with my time.

Congratulations on the release of your EP “Conversations”. What inspired you to write the tracklist?
Conversations! I just talked about things that had happened personally to my friends, and those conversations turned into songs. The EP is really reflective and is me talking through things that have been happening in my life over the last year.

And do you have a current favourite track from it?
My favourite track today is “Wash My Sorrows Away”. I just learnt how to play an acoustic arrangement, and I think it’s really fun.

You’ve mentioned “Get Down” is a way to tell yourself to keep going. Is this something that personally resonates with you?
“Get Down” is more of a sad song, not really like a ‘let’s keep going’, kinda thing. It’s more like, ‘I’ve dug myself a hole, and I can’t get out’. I wanted to write a song that was like the flip side of one of my previous tracks “Higher”.

And you’re currently touring around Australia, Europe, the UK and North America — do you have a highlight from the trip so far?
We just got to London, so I am still waiting for those highlights! The highlight of the Australian tour was playing with my band. I love my band! We play a lot of card games so those moments during tour were some of the best for me.

What is most important to you as an artist?
People want to hear me sing, so the most important thing for me is to just sing.

What’s one interesting fact about you that we wouldn’t be able to find on a press release?
I’m a licensed drone pilot! Certified and everything! It kinda happened by accident, but here we are.

And finally, what’s next for you? What are you most excited about this year?
There are a few really exciting releases coming that I can’t wait for you to hear! I can’t wait to keep singing for everyone at all the shows I’ve got lined up. I’m looking forward to getting back into the studio after tour to keep writing.